There are still some spaces left in the annual 108 Cabin Fever Bluegrass workshop, March 31 to April 3. Some local favourites will be joining the nationally and internationally acclaimed instructors this year.
Jason and Pharis (nee Patenaude) Romero will be among the instructors, with Jason teaching clawhammer banjo and Pharis teaching bluegrass vocals.
Pharis grew up in Horsefly and Williams Lake and is co-founder of the award-winning roots-folk band Outlaw Social. Jason was a fixture on the Arcata, CA bluegrass and old time scene.
Together Jason and Pharis now make finely crafted banjos in their Horsefly studio and play music together and with the Haints Old Time Stringband.
Other instructors with impressive resumes are Ryan Roberts (intermediate rhythm guitar; Greg Cahill (intermediate banjo; Rick Faris (intermediate flatpick guitar); David Thomas (intermediate bass); John Moore (intermediate mandolin), Steve Spurgin (songwriting); Jason Homey (beginning rhythm guitar); Gene Bretecher (beginning banjo), Keith Hill (intermediate fiddle); Garry Stevenson (beginning mandolin) and Tim Tweedale (dobro).
Instruction is also available for beginning bass, fiddle and flatpick.
To register, e-mail local organizer Rosetta Paxton at rossetta@shaw.ca or 250-398-0412 or go to www.bcbluegrass.com or call 1-800-668-2233. Paxton notes the 108 Cabin Fever Bluegrass workshop draws people from all over North America and culminates with a bluegrass concert in Williams Lake featuring performances by the instructors.
The concert this year will be at the Evangelical Free Church on Sunday, April 2 starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets for this event are available at the Guitar Seller and Sight and Sound. Look for more information on the bluegrass instructors in future issues.