We are excited to offer a variety of workshops this year. Just like our campout, the workshops are rather casual. Sit in on as many – or as few as you like. All levels are welcome in the workshops. You can even just sit in for a few minutes and listen, if you like. All workshops will be outdoors. Everyone attending a workshop is required to sign in.
You don’t need to register in advance for the workshops. However, you do need to register for the Zigzag Campout.
4:00 PM
– Slow Jam with Melissa Takush
New to jamming with others? Comfortable with your instrument, but new to old-time? Want to take some extra time to practice starting tunes in a supportive group? Working on a new tune you might need some help with? You’re not alone! Meet new people to play with and get comfortable jamming in a low-pressure environment.
10:00 AM
Morning Song Circle with Steph Noll: Songs of Resistance(1 hour)
Let’s start the day singing together. Song sheets of some songs of solidarity and resistance provided to kick us off, but you’re also welcome to bring any kind of favorite song or round to share, or just enjoy singing along with others. Singers of all ages welcome. (You don’t even have to think you are a singer.)
11:00 AM
Dwight Diller Fiddle Workshop with Darin Gentry
“Catch the rhythm” in this workshop as we unpack the rhythm, philosophy, and ergonomics of Pocahontas Co, WV musician Dwight Diller and learn to apply these techniques and principles to playing one of his tunes.
12:00 Noon
Old time guitar: Building a Strong Foundation with Morgan Harris
This workshop will explore the fundamentals of old time backup guitar – establishing a solid groove, deciding what chords to use, and utilizing bass runs. If you’re new to old time music, we’ll get you up and running with the skills to participate in an old time jam – and if you’re more experienced, you’ll have a chance to deepen your knowledge and become a more confident and supportive accompanist.
1:00 PM
Youth New Tune Workshop with Olivia Horgan (1 hour)
Anyone can jam! You don’t need to know every note of a tune to have a great group jam. In this workshop we will learn an old time fiddle tune that all levels can play. First we find a common groove and then build the melody from there. This is a great workshop for beginners/slower paced players, but more experienced players are welcome too. All instruments welcome.
2:00 PM
Two- and Three-Finger Banjo Workshop with Doug Sharkey
New to fingerpicking or need a refresher? We will cover some fundamental fingerpicking patterns for old-time banjo and play thumb lead melodies, three-finger rolls and rhythm patterns for backing up fiddle tunes and songs.
3:00 PM
Old Time Guitar: Shaping the Tune with Morgan Harris
Designed for those who already have some experience playing old time backup guitar, this workshop will help you explore ways to create interest and variation in your playing, allowing you to help shape and develop the tune in tandem with the melody players. Topics discussed will include: making your bass runs more purposeful and melodic, utilizing dynamics and rhythmic variation, and chord choice.
4:30 PM Slow Jam with Melissa Takush: all instruments, all levels
New to jamming with others? Comfortable with your instrument, but new to old-time? Want to take some extra time to practice starting tunes in a supportive group? Working on a new tune you might need some help with? You’re not alone! Meet new people to play with and get comfortable jamming in a low-pressure environment.
10:00 AM
Morning Song Circle with Steph Noll: Gospel Sing (1 hour)
Let’s start the day singing together. Song sheets of some fun old gospel songs provided to kick us off, but you’re also welcome to bring any kind of favorite song or round to share, or just enjoy singing along with others. Singers of all ages and beliefs welcome. (You don’t even have to think you are a singer.)
11:00 AM
Melodic Clawhammer Banjo Workshop with Doug Sharkey
Rhythm rules on the banjo but don’t leave the melody behind! We will focus on incorporating single note melodies into your banjo playing and break down a couple of fiddle tunes from their simplest form to a fully realized melody that will help you develop your own voice on the banjo.
12:00 Noon
Flatpicking Old Time Tunes: Taking Inspiration from Clawhammer Banjo with Morgan Harris
This workshop will focus on how to create a full, driving sound when playing old time melodies by emulating elements of the clawhammer banjo style on flatpicked guitar. We’ll discuss some techniques for both the picking and fretting hands and show you how they can be implemented, using a well known tune as an example.
1:00 PM
Youth New Tune Workshop for Advanced players with Kate O’Brien
This is a great workshop for youth players with several years experience who can pick up tunes pretty quickly and feel comfortable playing at high tempos. We will learn a rag (rags are awesome and fun!) tune and focus on making it groove and flow! If time and interest allow we will add back up and harmony and maybe even a little improv. All instruments welcome.
2:00 PM
Rafe Brady Fiddle Tune Workshop with Darin Gentry
In this workshop we will dip our toes into the style and repertoire of often-overlooked Mt. Airy, NC fiddle legend Rafe Brady and break down one of his tunes phrase-by-phrase.
3:00 PM
Youth Jam with Maja Diettrich-Kennett, Sam & Charlie Sheie (All instruments/all levels – 1 hour)
All are welcome to come and jam! Led by our teen musicians, we will play some common old time tunes, as well as the tunes taught at the kids’ fiddle workshop. Participants will be encouraged to suggest and lead tunes, and those who don’t know a tune will be given ideas for playing along. Participants will have the option to perform a tune together at the Sunday night open mic.
4:30 PM
Family Dance in Maja’s Meadow (45 min)
Caller: Steph Noll; Band: Sam and Charlie and Friends
All ages welcome! Give your bum a dance break from all that jamming and tune-learning and join us for a Zigzag style square dance.
7:00 PM
Campfire Concert
Campers Open Mic followed by performance by
Darin Gentry & Doug Starkey
10:00 AM
Morning Song Circle with Steph Noll: Rounds Club!
Let’s start the day singing together. Bring a favorite round to share: all rounds welcome (silly rounds, sweet rounds, old rounds, new rounds!) Or just come enjoy singing along with others. Singers of all ages welcome. (You don’t even have to think you are a singer to join the Zigzag Rounds Club.) We can also sing any of our favorites from our first two song circles, even if they’re not rounds, because Rounds Club has no rules.
Darin Gentry Hailing from the hills of Western North Carolina, Darin is the embodiment of traditional Appalachian music rooted firmly in the old time masters on fiddle and banjo. Listening to Darin, you are immediately transported to another era and mesmerized by his soulful renditions of the music on which he was raised. From a deeply musical family, Darin is steeped in the traditions from hearing the playing of his grandparents and great grandfather, whose banjo he still plays today.
Whether it’s old time, bluegrass, honky tonk or country, Darin is not confined to one style of playing. Equally adept at fiddle, clawhammer banjo, bass and guitar, Darin was mentored early on by the legendary West Virginia musician Dwight Diller who claimed that Darin is “in my opinion one of the best under-thirty clawhammer banjo players today.” Their captivating 2007 CD, Trouble on Spring Creek, brings the archaic sounds of the Hammons family to life.
Doug Sharkey is a singer, banjo picker, and guitar player originally from East Peoria, Illinois. He’s called western North Carolina his home since 2006 and has performed throughout the US and Australia with The Blue Ridge Broadcasters (along with Emily Schaad, Joseph Decosimo, and Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette), The Barsters, and The Spring Chickens. He’s known for his driving style and powerful, dynamic vocals.
Morgan Harris (she/her) is a Portland, OR-based guitarist specializing in traditional North American stringband (or ‘old time’) music. In contrast to the purely accompanying role the guitar often occupies in this space, Morgan’s distinctive playing technique allows the guitar to shine as an old time melody instrument, creating a rhythmic drive and a multi-layered resonance that is unique in the world of flatpicked guitar.
Steph Noll is an old-time musician, dance caller, and mama to two, musical teens. She loves calling dances and loves the Pacific Northwest old time music scene for its many opportunities to make music with friends of all ages. Steph is offering three all-ages song circles (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) and a Sunday afternoon square dance in the meadow.
Olivia Horgan is a fiddle player with Irish roots, who loves playing music from around the world. She has played in the Sorbonne orchestra in Paris, the deserts of Namibia, the beaches of Zanzibar, and in her beloved hometown of Portland. Playing and teaching fiddle is her life’s passion and she especially loves introducing the fiddle to young children. You can hear her performing with the Ross Island Ramblers, the Celtic Light Orchestra and the Whole Grain Loafers.
Charlie Sheie is a freshman at Roosevelt High School. He enjoys playing guitar, upright bass, and tuba. He can be found playing guitar at Portland youth jams and Irish sessions, and with his band Triple File at regional festivals, dances, and farmers markets. He’s the twin wearing glasses.
Sam Sheie is a freshman at Roosevelt High School. He enjoys playing both fiddle and clarinet. He can be found playing fiddle at Portland youth jams and Irish sessions, and with his band Triple File at regional festivals, dances, and farmers markets. He’s the twin without glasses.
Kate O’Brien is a violinist/fiddler/singer who has performed & toured with multi-genre groups over two decades.
In Portland she performs regularly within several genre: Django jazz, singer/songwriter music with the Leo Moon Trio, southern rock, sitting in with the Portland Country Underground and others. She jams regularly with swing and old time folks around Portland and has these days a particular affinity for early jazz tunes.
Kate founded Mosaic String Academy (mosaicstringacademy.com) in 2019 which offers students of all ages a unique combination of classical private lessons in violin, viola & cello along with monthly group classes where we explore tons of music. Kate founded Portland Fiddle Camps for Kids (portlandfiddlecamps.com) in 2009 and it’s the highlight of every summer! Come join her and her co-conspirator Sophie Enloe for another awesome camp in 2025!
Melissa Takush has been hosting jams in the Eugene area with Mud City Old-Time Society since 2011. She loves helping folks get connected to the PNW old-time community! Melissa will be hosting slow jams on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Maja Diettrich-Kennett, now 16 years old and a Junior at Lincoln High School, has been playing fiddle since she was 4. She has led fiddle jams around Portland and performs often at her family’s Hostel and Cafe. She also enjoys singing and was a member of the state middle school choir.
Over the last 10 years, Bubbaville has provided funding, promotion and more for dozens of different projects tied to our mission. The organization has brought to the Portland region numerous performers and teachers. We’ve also funded campouts, albums, dances and more. Have an idea for a project? Let us know!
