There’s so much to do for folks of all ages at the festival. Here’s a handy list of events and activities that will be especially fun for families.
- Beginning Tin Whistle Workshop, with Dean Karres - Come for a low stress introduction to the tin whistle (penny whistle). This workshop is for the complete novice. You will be shown correct hand and finger position; a simple scale; and,
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- Campfire Singalong - Join Big Bluestem’s Becky Grosser for an informal singalong around the Iron Post’s cozy patio campfire. Friday, November 2nd, 8:00pm-10:00pm Iron Post Patio Free
- Creative Art of the Drum Circle Workshop - Join storyteller and drummer Oba William King for a spirited drum circle workshop! This interactive workshop is for all ages. Bring your drum. Some loaners may be available. Generously sponsored
- Dan Keding - Dan Keding grew up with his Croatian grandmother filling him with the stories of the old country. He has pursued this passion for over forty years, telling at some of
- Harmonica Workshop With Doug and Dave - It’s easy to begin to learn to play harmonica! Doug Schroer and Dave Witzany will lead the group using key of C diatonic 10 hole harmonicas to help you learn about the instrument
- Homebrew Ukulele Union Singalong - Bring your ukulele or borrow one for an all ages sing-along with the Homebrew Ukulele Union (HUU). The HUU is a sing-along group that comes together at the University of Illinois in
- Klezmer (Yiddish) Dance, with the Red Sea Pedestrians - Yiddish dance is Jewish folk dancing that comes to us from Eastern Europe. With the revival of klezmer music – music that gets your feet moving – there is a
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- Local Teller Showcase, with Kathe Brinkmann, Kim Sheahan, Camille Born, and Sue Searing - The Local Teller Showcase features some of Champaign-Urbana’s favorite tellers: Kathe Brinkmann, Kim Sheahan, Camille Born, and Sue Searing. All are members of the C-U Storytelling Guild and enjoy telling
- Make & Take Instruments, with the Viper - Join The Viper and His Famous Orchestra for an interactive build-a-band workshop. The ultimate “green” musical experience, you’ll learn how to make fully-functioning instruments out of recycled & repurposed household
- Mr. Stephens - The festival welcomes back “Mr. Stephens,” who has been entertaining the twelve-and-under set around C-U for years with his blend of serious and silly, fun and folksy guitar and vocals.
- Musical Mayhem Parade - Join The Viper and His Famous Orchestra for our annual musical mayhem parade! Bring your instruments, costumes and free spirits and celebrate on the streets of downtown Urbana. Generously
- Oba William King - Oba William King is recognized as one of the most exciting storytellers of his peer group. Since his debut with the National Association of Black Storytellers at the San Diego
- Prairie Dogs Performance and Beatles Play-Along - Calling musicians of all levels!! The Prairie Dogs invite you to BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT and play and sing along to all your Beatles favorites, including, but not limited to, the
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- Sea Shanty Singalong, with Chris Maden - Chris Maden has been singing and playing a variety of instruments since early childhood. A native New Englander, he was lured to the Barbary Coast of San Francisco seeking dot-com
- Swing Dance Lesson with Paul Kwiat - Learn swing from everyone’s favorite dancing physics professor, Paul Kwiat! Then stick around for the swing dance, with music provided by the Champaign Central High School Jazz Ensemble. Friday, November
- Swing Dance, with the Champaign Central High School Jazz Ensemble - The Champaign Central High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by John Currey since 1997, has been the cornerstone of the Central High School music program, garnering awards and distinctions at almost
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- The Viper and His Famous Orchestra Kids’ Show - The Viper brings his ukulele and his Famous Orchestra for an interactive show of kid-tested, grown-up-approved music and mayhem. Learn how to play The Viper way on washtubs, suitcases, and
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- Ukulele Jugband - Join Del Rey for a jugless, all ukulele, hokum-blues shindig, with playing and singing parts for all levels of player. Music from a 1920s Memphis street corner, orchestrated for all-ukuleles
- Washboard Workshop with Dave Madden - Participants of this workshop will be introduced to basic washboard techniques needed in playing with other musicians. Various styles will be discussed and demonstrated. Participants are encouraged to bring their