Skip's Harp Site: Links

Music!

The Old Town School of Folk Music: There's no place in the world like the Old Town School of Folk Music. The staff is made up of friendly, helpful folks, the teachers are passionate about sharing their knowledge, and -- most important -- no one is turned away for lack of money. Every year the school raises and spends about $200,000 on scholarships. (Everyone pays something, but that's based on their income). In addition, there are volunteer activities through which you can earn points toward taking classes. (To find my workshops, go to this site, click adult classes, then look at workshops. You can sign up on line OR can give them a call at 773 728-6000.
Sing Out Magazine: Fran and I are reviewers for Sing Out Magazine -- the nation's major publication for folk music. The reviews we do are typically kid's albums and off-beat stuff, but we're always on the lookout for other albums that Sing Out may have missed. Per their website, " Sing Out!'s mission is to preserve and support the cultural diversity and heritage of all traditional and contemporary folk musics, and to encourage making folk music a part of our everyday lives."
The Plank Road Music Society: Before there was asphalt, folks banded together and built roads of wooden planks. The plank roads of the 1800s kept the mud at bay, helped folks get to the mill, and made the isolation a little easier to endure. These were the times of homemade music - when handmade banjos, mountain dulcimers, drums, fiddles, and guitars hung on the wall and folks looked for any excuse to celebrate with dance, music, songs, story-telling and comradely conversations. One of the longest went from Springfield to Chicago (after Abe Lincoln's Long 8 had the capital moved from Vandalia). They called it The Plank Road. Its still exists (some parts of it with the old name). But then they renamed it for a fellow that was the City of Chicago's first mayor - Ogden Avenue.
In the 1970's some like minded folks (folks that sang and played together and enjoyed each other's company) in the western suburbs helped a new fangled coffeehouse get started in the 1970s - The Old Quarter. They they all lived near the first plank road and decided to start an organization that could sponsor concerts, sing-a-rounds, music parties and special events in the Western Suburbs. That's the Plank Road folks; it's worth knowing 'em!
Aural Tradition - (773) 493-8672: This long-standing group is so traditional that it doesn't have an email address. But what it does have is a monthly newsletter summarizing, in one place, ALL the folk-related activities in the Chicago/Northern Illinois area. For just a few bucks a year, this comes promptly each month to your snail-box and to those of about 200 other devoted folkies. (if you perform, mail your stuff to L. Lubin, 5461 S. Ellis Ave.,
Chicago, Illinois 60615).

Harmonica!

Harmonica, harmonica workshops, basic blues, hot dogs, and more: This is my old site. Frankly, it's an embarrassing example of a verbal tsunami, made worse by the fact that (if it's still up when you go there) it cannot be changed. But there is some helpful information there, especially on playing harp.
Harp Depot: Need a harp? It's easiest to stop by the Different Strummer at the Old Town School. But also check out the prices at Harp Depot. For years they've had great prices and great service, plus a much wider variety of harps than anyplace in Chicago. The proprietor, "Doc," has also done some fine work in getting free harps to members of the military serving in Iraq; kudos!

Other

The Caxton Club: Puzzled about why this appears on my website? I was an academic in my previous career and I love books. If you like books, the book arts, or collecting, check out this site. And if you want to be invited to a meeting, let me know. The Caxton Club is a fascinating group of people, including serious collectors. We publish a monthly journal, The Caxtonian, and have speakers at our monthly luncheons and dinners.
In 2007 we'll be sponsoring a national symposium on translation.
Harp, hot dogs, and more!: This is my original website with more information on harmonica, the Old Town School, and other diffuse content. NOTE: This site can't be updated, so don't be surprised to find really old information there.
The Landt Trio: My dad was a pioneer in early radio and television.
This site, maintained by my cousin, tells the story of my father and his two younger brothers: how they came to New York from western Pennsylvania hoping to break into show business -- and, how remarkably, they had a career that ranged from radio's very early days until
the onset of the television era. (A great story for a movie!)
Pickacup Coffee House: Great coffee, amazing scones, fine baked goods/sandwiches/salads
and a great place to hang-out! Baking maven Carol Kent runs this friendly, casual, drop-in place and hosts a variety of activities.
That includes music, but also crafts workshops, movies, political action groups. It's easy to find:
next to the Burger King
at the northeast corner of Dodge (=California) and Dempster in Evanson.