Otsfm logo

Workshops

Workshops are special, one-time experiences of music and dance with master teachers at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Low in time commitment but high in artistry, workshops are timely, engaging, and dynamic sessions targeted to serve participants with varied interests and goals.

The typical duration of a one-day workshop is an hour and a half to two hours, but we also offer intensives and multi-day or multi-week options. Workshops costs are dependent on length, specialty, and teaching artist, and some are funded by grants to make them low-cost to you. Each week we host something or someone new, so check back often!

Fri. May 02, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Central) · 909 W Armitage Ave

May Day Labor Tribute

The Old Town Teachers Organization and the Resource Center at the Old Town School of Folk Music present a participatory celebration of the Labor Movement. A variety of teaching artists will lead you through a history of song and struggle. An annotated songbook and bibliography will be provided to all participants. [more info]

Open to All
Program:
$10 ($5 members)
Sat. May 03, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Pop Icons Dance Choreography

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($22 members)
Sun. May 04, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Country Western Line Dance for Beginners

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
Class is full.
Fri. May 09, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Springtime Beatles Songbag with Tommi Zender

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$30 ($28 members)
Sat. May 10, 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Laying Sound Meditation Workshop with Jay Taylor

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
Class is full.
Sat. May 10, 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Chord Chemistry for All Instruments

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$30 ($25 members)
Thu. May 15, 7:00 PM – 8:50 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Songwriter’s Circle with Daniel Connolly

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Songwriting
$15 ($12 members)
Sat. May 17, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

‘Ukulele-Power Strums Method with Lanialoha Lee!

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. May 17, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Community Singing Workshop with Megan Eberhardt

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. May 17, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Craft Lounge

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
Sat. May 17, 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Open Tunings for Guitar, Part 1

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. May 17, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Hakikino! Hula Workout!

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$30 ($28 members)
Sun. May 18, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Burlesque Chair Dance with AngHell

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($20 members)
Sun. May 18, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

‘60s Style Go-Go

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$20 ($18 members)
Sun. May 18, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Basic Music Theory for Clawhammer Banjoists

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Banjo
$30 ($25 members)
Thu. May 22, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Movie Night at the Resource Center

Chicago Blues documents a generation of great musicians trying to make a living in a racially divided America. Includes performances by Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Johnny Lewis, J.B. Hutto, and Buddy Guy – as well as interviews with Dick Gregory and Willie Dixon. Released in 1972, directed by Harley Cokeliss. [more info]

Open to All
Program:
Thu. May 29, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Old Town School Teachers Present

Pick-it-up, Pick-it-up, Pick-it-up now! Join Old Town School teaching artist Amanda Payne on a trip through the history of ska from Jamaica to English Two Tone and how its legacy shaped the New Tone movement today. With roots in American jazz and rhythm and blues ska pre-dates reggae and had a major influence on punk & pop rock. Ska is currently experiencing a renaissance, don't miss it! [more info]

Open to All
Program:
$7.00 ($5.00 members)
Sat. May 31, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Cultivating Creative Practice for Songwriters with Anna Vogelzang

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Songwriting
$65 ($60 members)
Sat. May 31, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Bollywood and South Asian Dance with Anjali and Alka!

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$30 ($28 members)
Sat. May 31, 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Pedals for Guitarists and More

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Guitar
$30 ($28 members)
Sat. June 07, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Introduction to Improvisation with Alex Blocker

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$40 ($35 members)
Sat. June 07, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 909 W Armitage Ave

Music for Milestones: A Music Experience for Neurodivergent Kiddos

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Wiggleworms
$30 ($25 members)
Sun. June 08, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

West Coast Swing Toolkit Basics

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($20 members)
Sat. June 14, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Seated Sound Meditation Workshop with Jay Taylor and Ana Everling

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$10 ($10 members)
Sat. June 14, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Sea Shanty Workshop with Tom Kastle

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$25 ($20 members)
Fri. June 20, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Free Friday Family Jam

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Guitar
Sat. June 21, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Land Based Songwriting Workshop with Elexa Dawson

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Songwriting
$45 ($40 members)
Sat. June 28, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Community Singing Workshop with Megan Eberhardt

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. June 28, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Craft Lounge

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
Sun. June 29, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

‘60s Style Go-Go

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$20 ($18 members)
Sat. September 06, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Scottish Doric Song Workshop with Iona Fyfe

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sun. November 02, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

An Introduction To DADGAD Guitar Workshop with Sarah McQuaid

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$40 ($35 members)
Sun. November 02, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

DADGAD Song Accompaniment Workshop with Sarah McQuaid

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$40 ($35 members)