One-day ‘Guitar University’ is just part of Acoustic Getaway Weekend, Oct. 10-12

Toby Walker will perform and give workshops at the Folk Project's fall 2014 Acoustic Getaway.
Toby Walker will perform and give workshops at the Folk Project's fall 2014 Acoustic Getaway.
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You won’t leave Saturday’s “Guitar University” with an advanced degree. But you will learn plenty while having a great degree of fun, promises Mark Schaffer of the Folk Project.

“These are very small workshops with phenomenal players,” Schaffer said.

Toby Walker will perform and give workshops at the Folk Project's fall 2014 Acoustic Getaway.
Toby Walker will perform and give workshops at the Folk Project’s fall 2014 Acoustic Getaway.

The guitar tutorials fall smack in the middle of the Folk Project’s Acoustic Getaway weekend, in a rustic setting near Hackettstown from Oct. 10-12, 2014.

Rated among the nation’s Top 50 “Must-See” roadside destinations by Acoustic Guitar magazine, this semi-annual gathering offers concerts, jam sessions and unfettered access to stellar performers.

The artists share meals, musical tips and backstage stories with fans all weekend.

The jamming continues during meals at the Acoustic Getaway weekend. Here is Bob McNally playing his strumstick in October 2013. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The jamming continues during meals at the Acoustic Getaway weekend. Here is Bob McNally playing his strumstick in October 2013. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

One of the featured performers and guitar instructors is Toby Walker, whose novel blend of blues, ragtime and old-time jazz won over Jorma Kaukonen, of Jefferson Airplane- and Hot Tune fame.

“He’s going to tell stories, and it’s the songs and the stories and history together, all blended into one, that are so special,” Schaffer said of Walker in particular, and the Getaway in general.

“If you’re a listener, you will come away with stuff  you won’t get just from a concert.  This is stuff you would get if you were his best friend, sitting in a kitchen.”

Outdoor jam session at the May 2014 Folk Project Acoustic Getaway. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Outdoor jam session at the May 2014 Folk Project Acoustic Getaway. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Joining Walker over the weekend will be Jim Hurst, a guitarist who has performed with Travis Tritt and Trisha Yearwood, among others; and L’il Rev, a master of the ukulele, mandolin, banjo and harmonica.

Harmonies and songwriting skills will be showcased by the Jammin’ Divas and the No Fuss and Feathers Roadshow.

The Divas consist of the Grammy-nominated Irish singer Aoife Clancy of Cherish the Ladies, American singer/songwriter/pianist Nicole Zuraitis, Australian folk/rock artist Kath Buckell, and Israeli jazz singer Hadar Noiberg.

The No Fuss ladies are Carolann Solebello, formerly of Red Molly; Catherine Miles of the YaYas and Karyn Oliver.  We shot video of this sweet-sounding trio late one night at this summer’s Falcon Ridge Folk Festival:

Acoustic Getaway workshops are not limited to guitar. Singing, storytelling, songwriting, stagecraft, harmonica playing, music history, and origami and bead-making are taught, too.

Outdoor activities include archery, hiking, frisbee, wall-climbing and canoeing, in addition to impromptu jamming. Contra dancing is on the menu as well.

THE FALL 2014 ACOUSTIC GETAWAY SCHEDULE

Everything is courtesy of the nonprofit Folk Project, which runs The Minstrel Friday night concert series in Morris Township, the Swinging Tern dances, and the annual Uke New Jersey festivals.

Admission to all Acoustic Getaway workshops and concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with meals and lodging, is about $200.  If you just plan to attend Saturday’s day-long workshops and evening concert, the cost is $105. Registration and pricing details are here;  call 201-207-8696 for more.

“It’s a great bang for the buck,” said Schaffer.

Or did he say twang?

READ MORRISTOWN GREEN COVERAGE OF…

THE SPRING 2014 ACOUSTIC GETAWAY

THE 2013 FOLK PROJECT FESTIVAL

THE MINSTREL CONCERT SERIES

UKE NEW JERSEY 2014

UKE NEW JERSEY 2013

CAROLANN SOLEBELLO

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