Two pieces of good news for Taborgrassers!

Hey Taborgrassers!

Two pieces of good news for you. 

Good news #1: Taborgrass Classes and Workshops are beginning October 10! Details below.

Good news #2: Patrick Connell, my good good pal and frequent Taborgrass instructor, is jumping on board to run Taborgrass with me. He’s a fantastic source of bluegrass wisdom, a mighty fine flatpicker, and an all around swell human being. If you’ve yet to meet him, I hope you get the chance soon!

            Classes are starting October 10! Each Saturday we’ll be offering three things: a workshop focusing on a particular instrument (Oct. 10 is a guitar workshop with Patrick Connell), a jamming workshop, and open jamming on the taborgrass lawn. We’ll also be offering a Zoom class each Wednesday evening focusing on learning songs and tunes.

            Instrument workshops will feature a local professional bluegrass musician sharing their advice on how to improve on their instrument. October 10 will feature a flatpick guitar workshop with Patrick Connell. Workshop attendance is capped at 10 people, first come first served. Tuition is $20. 11:00am-12:30pm. You must register in advance via this form: https://forms.gle/urAgqoGocyFLwoKE8 . This is necessary to keep workshops Covid-safe. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are mandatory. Bring your instrument, your questions, and a notebook if you’re the note-taking type.

             Jam workshops will be led by Patrick Connell and I, and will focus on building the skills required to jam in the wider bluegrass world. We’ll discuss how to call a song, communicate non-verbally, play breaks, and add in fancy stuff like kickoffs, fills, and bass runs. Workshop attendance is capped at 10 people, first come first served. Tuition is $20. 1:00-2:30pm. You must register in advance via this form: https://forms.gle/y1K89vHhYRUPvbL79 . This is necessary to keep workshops Covid-safe. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are mandatory. Bring your instrument, and come with a song or tune you’d like to call.

            Open jamming will take place on the lawn at Waverly from 11:00am to 2:30pm. Please bring a chair if you’d like to sit. Social distancing will be observed. Suggested donation $5.

            Zoom classes will take place each Wednesday from 6:00-7:00pm. Each class will focus on a small selection of songs and tunes, to be announced beforehand. Given the timing delay when using zoom, it’s not really possible for all of us to play together in the way we normally would. Instead, these classes will consist of Patrick and I leading songs and tunes that students can play along with while muted, then discussing the songs and answering questions. This class is open to everyone! Tuition is $5. Use this form to register and receive an invitation to the zoom meeting: https://forms.gle/heoPALUL5He8oeTUA

So excited to get Taborgrass back up and running! Virtual or not, hope to see you all soon!

Kaden

Please take a minute to fill in this one-question survey!

Hey Taborgrassers! 

Taborgrass is going to be a little different this year, but boy am I excited about it.

I’ve been cooking up some Covid-safe alternatives to the traditional Taborgrass class structure, and I want to know what all of you are most excited about. If you’re interested in attending any jams, classes, or workshops, please do me a favor and fill out this one-question survey: https://forms.gle/rifDgWKqiB1CSyRi9. It shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds (about one verse of Bury Me Beneath the Willow at 60bpm), and will be very helpful to me as I figure out what programs to run at Taborgrass this fall. 

We're taking Covid-19 safety very seriously. All in-person workshops will be capped at a small number of students, social distancing will be observed, and facemasks will be mandatory. If you have any specific concerns, I'd love to hear them! 

You can also keep up with all things Taborgrass by joining our new Facebook group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1064205227383471

I’m really excited to continue the Taborgrass spirit this fall, to see what you’ve all been up to, and to carry on Greg’s phenomenal work. Looking forward to picking with you soon.

Grassingly yours,

Kaden

Thank you Taborgrass!

After ten wonderful years at Taborgrass, I’m announcing today that I am stepping down.

When I think of all the great times and adventures we have had over the years.  We’ve all made friends at Taborgrass, not just pickin buddies, but close and dear friends that we will have for a lifetime.  This experience has been life changing for me.

Obviously, Taborgrass would not exist without all of you.  I can't thank everyone enough for all your support of my little project.  From day one at Artichoke Music, when I set out 15 chairs for a once a month workshop, and 40 people showed up. I knew I had hit a vein and started a program that was needed in Portland.  My wish is that it continues forever.  The Taborgrass community is now over 100 musicians strong and growing.  Taborgrass jams are starting up everywhere.  I’m so proud of all of you and the progress we all have made!  I hope to see all of you at Taborgrass and wherever there are fun people playing fun music!  Happy pickin!!

Greg

Welcome Kaden Hurst!

To many of you, Kaden needs no introduction for he has been the Second Year Class instructor at Taborgrass for the past 2 years.  Today I am excited to announce that Kaden Hurst will now be leading all activities at Taborgrass!

A graduate of the prestigious Berklee School of Music, Kaden is instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter in the award winning band “Never Come Down”.  If you haven’t been to one of their live shows, you are missing out.  Portland is so lucky to have them.

Kaden will be bringing members of his band to Taborgrass as well as an array of local talent, young and old.  I know that Taborgrass will be in good hands!  Thank you Kaden Hurst!!

Look for future announcements on jams, workshops and classes at Taborgrass as we navigate through these current times.

Taborgrass Workshops Coming This Fall!

Taborgrass will be conducting workshops this fall at Waverly.  Because of COVID we are not able to hold our normal classes at this time.  Workshops will be small and follow the COVID 19 protocol.  We will be announcing specific workshops very soon. 

We sure miss everyone and hope all is well with you! (and that you are practicing with all this extra time you have!).  Can’t wait to get back to normal classes, but for now we have to be safe and patient.  Hang in there and Happy Pickin! 

Greg.

Thank You Linda Leavitt!

Taborgrass is sad to announce that Linda Leavitt will be leaving us. She has decided to pursue her own projects which will include teaching and workshops. We wish her all the best. 

Linda was very dedicated to Taborgrass. Not only was she a wonderful instructor, she was also the “Face of Taborgrass” and added so much joy to the experience. Linda worked very hard behind the scenes to make Taborgrass what it is today. She managed our Facebook site, spearheaded our Open Mic Nights, and did our promotional work, just to name a few things. She will be very much missed. Linda will always have a seat at Taborgrass and we look forward to hosting more of her workshops in the future.