Harmonica, harmonica workshops, basic blues, hot dogs, and more! skiplandt@sbcglobal.net    THE LOUISVILLE BURGLARS, SASPARILLA, ETC. Ever hear of the Louisville Burglars or Sasparilla? If so, it's probably by calling us at home. It's one of the names we use when we do concerts or parties. We love sing-alongs, and if you give us enough information, Fran can write an original song to celebrate a birthday or holiday with a chorus on which everyone can sing along. The instrumentation is usually guitar or banjo (me), and autoharp (Fran). And if you are a harmonica student, you can do a song with us. You can call us at home, 773 604-4115, if you want to talk about the possibilities. We're also open to charity events, which we're happy to do when schedules work out. Fran and me at a coffeehouse! FAMILY MUSIC WORKSHOP The University of Chicago Folk Festival -- always great fun, with many free activities. One of those activities is The Family Music Workshop that Fran and I have done since 1988. We do a variety of songs and hand-dances, emphasizing those for young kids. The date for next year is not yet set, but the festival is almost always the first full weekend in February. And our workshop is always free. This is a great activity for families or for teachers. SCHEDULE OF CLASSES, WORKSHOPS My harmonica classes and workshops are held year-round at the Old Town School of Folk Music, as they've been since 1985. Since January 2006, they've been on Tuesday nights. Harp I kicks off at 6:30 p.m. usually in Rm. 301 on the third floor. Bring a D and a G harp -- both diatonic. (The usual 10-hole kind). This class is designed to teach and reinforce the basic skills of playing the harp. That includes working on ear-playing and includes work on bending. I give a weekly "tip" based on how the class is doing and what needs more emphais. Harp II and Forever meets at 8 p.m. Forever? I keep changing the songs and finding new ways to teach skills, so students often stay for session after session. Most Harp II meetings begin with additional training in "bending," then we play some songs, with a new one or two each week. Bring a D and A harp, and ideally a C harp too. ANDY DAVID, an artist and wonderful guitar player, inspires us with his accompaniment and improvisations. Also sitting in is Erik Sennett, a bass player, who gives us a great push on the beats! During recent sessions we've also been visited a couple times by Eric Noden, the amaziing harp and guitar blues performer and by Lamont Harris, a former student of mine who now plays in the blues clubs with the "greats." Those days we emphasize blues, and he gives all of us (including me) invaluable tips on our playing. At 9:30 we join all the classes in the concert hall for "second half," at which we all play together. For Harp II, be sure to bring harps in C, D, G, and A. WORKSHOPS. Alternatives for people not ready for a weekly commitment are my two-session workshops, held on Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. These start with basics, but if I know experienced players are signing up I include more advanced techniques. The one series is "Easy Harmonica" and the other is "Basic Blues." The sessions meet a month apart so students have time to practice and contact me with questions. MONTHLY HARP is held from time to time, often at 1 p.m. on Saturdays. These are four session classes, usually starting in September and January. Once a month works well for those who are very short on time. Most students are beginners, and that's the emphasis. These are small classes -- often 4-5, so more advanced players can get private time. While beginners are working on their assignment, I give more challenging material to those who need it. SPECIAL WORKSHOPS. I've also done harmonica workshops for fun -- you can have a party at which people learn the basics of playing harp, and can play a song or two by the end. And I love doing corporate workshops: learning to play harmonica ties in nicely with team-building and makes it lots of fun. Questions? E-mail me: skiplandt@sbcglobal.net. FRAN'S MUSIC and KID'S MUSIC Until recently, Fran was a teacher for Gymboree, doing music classes for parents with kids between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. With schedule reductions and travel considerations, however, she has left that program. Among her current activities are a Tot Shabat, which she holds at the Reconstuctionist Temple in Evanston. Fran also does birthday parties, either just with singing and dance games OR with candy-house making. The candy-house parties are something different and especially popular: what better combination than kids and candy? More to come! More to come! Yet more.