Jalopy Theatre

Arranging Songs for Solo Guitar - A workshop with Christopher “Isto” White

A 90 min workshop with Christopher “Isto” White Sunday, March 1st: 4:30 - 6 pm Followed by a book launch for Isto! Workshop fees: $45 (+sales fees) Workshop fees + signed book: $65 (+sales fees) Christopher “Isto” White is launching his new book "Fingerpicking the Great American Songbook," at Jalopy on March 1st, 2026, and to bring this book to live, he'll be giving a workshop on arranging songs for solo guitar. Learn about Isto's arranging process. We will look at a couple of the arrangements in Isto's new book, Fingerpicking the Great American Songbook. The workshop is followed by the book launch event, with doors open at 6:30 pm.

Mar 01, 2026

Jalopy Theatre

“What Is This World Coming to Blues": 12 Bar Blues Song Writing Workshop

March 7th, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. $20 workshop only, $35 workshop + concert ($5 discount, see concert details here ) Led by blues vocalist and Heritage Ambassador Beareather Reddy and multi-instrumentalist Ayodele Makeeru, this communal workshop explores the blues as a platform for expressing feelings on our current social and political climate using the work of historical icons like Bessie Smith as a reference point for new creations. Under the theme “What Is This World Coming To Blues?”, participants will discuss the blues form, brainstorm topics, and work in small groups to compose an original song. The session will conclude with a video recording of the finished piece. Additionally, all participants are invited to perform the song during the 8:30 PM performance of “Bessie Smith: They Called Her Empress.” Participation in the recording and performance are optional! We look forward to collaborating with you to transform personal and social reflections into the Blues, music of the soul. This program is made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, The Howard Gilman Foundation, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Mar 07, 2026

Jalopy Theatre

Jug Band Workshop hosted by Ernesto Gomez & Eli Smith!

When: Sunday, March 8th and March 15th - 3pm to 5pm (probably spill into 5:30pm) Where: The new classroom at 319 Columbia Sliding Scale $20 - $45 This Jug Band workshop offers a hands-on educational experience focusing on 1920s-30s style jug band music created with homemade instruments like washboards, kazoos, jugs, and washtub basses as well as harmonicas, guitars, ukuleles, banjos, etc. These interactive sessions teach rhythmic coordination, improvisation, and some musical history, allowing participants to join in at different levels of musicianship. We'll focus on: Instrument Exploration . Participants learn to play traditional, unconventional instruments, including blowing into ceramic or plastic jugs for bass, using washboards for percussion, and playing kazoos. Other jug band instruments as well. Musical Style . The focus will be on 1920s-1930s country blues, hokum, and old time with repertoire often including tunes from the Memphis Jug Band or Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers, just to name a few. Skill Levels & Engagement . Sessions are designed for all ages, fostering group cooperation and rhythmic skills through improvisation. Community & Jams . We will conclude each workshop with a jam session, allowing attendees to perform in a group setting. These workshops will be great for fostering musical creativity and exploring American roots music in a fun, accessible way. Come join us!

Mar 08, 2026

Jalopy Theatre

The Brooklyn Jug & String Band Rendezvous JUG BAND CONTEST - Live at The Jalopy Tavern

4-7pm - Free to the general public! Sign up by email to register your jug band for more details JugBandContest@gmail.com We'll need your jug band name, main contact info, and a short bio. RULES: #1 - Can be 2-5 members, no more, no less #2 - Must have at least one traditional jug band instrument • washtub bass, washboard, jug, kazoo, home-made a + #3 - Each band will play any 2x songs of their own choosing in their best jug band style performance 1st Place Prize = $200 + a set at Jalopy’s Roots n Ruckus 2nd Place Prize = FREE instrument set up at Retrofret of any stringed instrument 3rd Place Prize = “Band in a Box” from Kazoobie Kazoos *Please note. Participation in the contest does not guarantee tickets to the Rendezvous, next door at the Jalopy Theatre. If you want to attend, it is highly recommended that you purchase tickets ahead of time, because seating is very limited. Tickets can be purchased for Friday night & Saturday night for $25 or weekend passes for $45.

Mar 21, 2026

Jalopy Theatre

Bluegrass Improvisation for All Instruments with Stash Wyslouch - A Workshop

A Workshop with Stash Wyslouch - Bluegrass Improvisation for All Instruments Thursday, April 9, 2026: 5-6:30pm Fees are $50 for Workshop only OR $60 for Workshop + Concert after ($10 discount) Get ideas to structure your practice routine and get better at bluegrass improvisation. All instruments are welcome! Ideas will include melodic and rhythmic development, how to take a deep dive on your repertoire and strengthening the foundations in your playing for a more fulfilling musical experience. Stash Wyslouch is an iconoclastic Bluegrass flatpicker whose style is instantly recognizable incorporating any and all influences. He's played with Molsky's Mountain Drifters, The Jacob Jolliff Band and shared the stage with the likes of Julian Lage, Bryan Sutton, Peter Rowan and David Grisman.

Apr 09, 2026