Master Bodhrán (Irish drum) Workshop

Thank you for enrolling in the Albert Alfonso master bodhrán workshop. (Albert has the rare distinction of being both a sought-after master bodhrán player and maker.) This year’s workshop will be held Sunday, July 22, 2007 at The Celtic Connection, in Bellevue (409 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15202, see map).

There will be two workshop levels. Each will be 90 minutes. Private lessons are also available. No need to pay in advance; fees will be collected at the workshop. If you don’t have your own drum, Albert will provide you with one.

1. Advanced bodhrán workshop, 1:30pm to 3pm, $20. This workshop is for those who can play jigs and reels (intermediate) and other rhythms (advanced). With his performing partner Spot on banjo etc., Albert will show how he accompanies a melody player.

2. Beginning bodhrán workshop, 3:30pm to 5pm, $20. This workshop is for those who would like to learn how to get started (novice) or who are not yet sure how to play jigs and reels (beginning).

3. Private bodhrán lesson, 30 minutes, $40. All levels. To be scheduled throughout the day.

Albert will also have a large supply of newly-made bodhráns (including his new self-tuning model) and sticks for purchase. These are the drums of choice for many percussionists, including Hooley’s own (and organizer of the workshops and concert).

Please complete everything marked with a green asterisk (*) and click the register button when you are ready to send it. You will then be enrolled. If you have further questions, please contact us.

Be sure to see Spot and Albert perform Sunday evening at the Backstage Bar from 8 to 10pm. Free admission. Seating is limited.

Registration

First name *


Last name
*


Email address
*


Telephone
*

Advanced bodhrán workshop, 1:30pm to 3pm, $20 *
Yes
No
Maybe

Beginning bodhrán workshop, 3:30pm to 5pm, $20 *
Yes
No
Maybe

Private bodhrán lesson, 30 minutes, $40 *
Yes
No
Maybe

Have own drum *
Yes
No (If no, Albert will provide one)

Questions/comments


How did you find out about the workshop
*



Zip code
*


Be sure to attend the evening’s free concert …

Free Spot/Albert Concert Sunday, July 22, 8-10 PM
The Irish-based duo Spot/Albert, on their first east coast tour, will perform at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square in Pittsburgh on Sunday, July 22 from 8 to 10pm. Admission is free; limited seating.

About the duo:

Spot/Albert has mostly played at festivals the past few years but they have lately been taking their unique “bend the rules” approach to bars, nightclubs and coffeehouses with great success. They are equally adept at performing for quiet listening audiences as they are at shaking the sensibilities of rowdy beer drinkers in rock environments. No small feat.

Spot is a solo guitarist and tenor-banjoist, from Austin, Texas. Equally at home on acoustic and electric instruments, he does not fit into the usual singer-songwriter genre. In his own words: “I play both kinds of music — good and bad!” His style is best described as “two-fisted picking” a la Richard Thompson, Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, Seamus Egan and seasoned with the sensibilities of Monk, Beefheart and Waits. Most importantly, he backs it up with outstanding composition and writing. He has toured and shared stages with such indie rock legends as Mike Watt, Sonic Youth, Bob Mould, Guitar Wolf, Cherry Valence, Rasputina, Drive-by Truckers, The Sadies, Eugene Chadbourne, DeVotchka, Fugazi, and with folk and traditional artists such as Alejandro Escovedo, Jen Hamel, Jean-Michel Veillon & Yvon Rio, Michael Hurley, Ed Miller and Michael Fracasso.

Albert Alfonso, well-known in the Irish-music community as a master drum maker and bodhran player, hails from Dallas, Texas and is the man that the legendary Irish performer and folklorist Mick Moloney calls “The Celtic-Cuban Connection.” Albert has performed or recorded with Celtic-music artists Solas, Altan, Liz Carroll, Roger Landes, Greenfields of America, Brian McNeill, John Doyle, Jerry Holland, JP Cormier, Mike Dugger and Tim Britton. In addition, he has conducted drum workshops across North America as well as with the Royal Academy of Music in Glasgow and London.

Their new album is entitled In the Bag.

About the venue:

Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh’s cultural district at 655 Penn Avenue, between the O'Reilly Theater and Katz Plaza, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Backstage Bar at Theater Square is a first-rate 70-seat bar and restaurant often featuring free weekend entertainment, with Guiness on tap and other craft beers and drinks, and great food. While normally closed Sunday evening, the Backstage Bar is extending its hours this Sunday only to accommodate the theater crowd for the 6:30pm show of the musical “Chicago.” Arrive early to be assured of seats.

For details about the venue, including directions and menu, see www.backstagebar.com.

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