Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a jig and a reel? Did you ever harbour the desire to grab a guitar and jump into a session with accordion players and fiddlers? And just who were Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit anyway?

Guitarist Jean Hewson will tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about how to accompany fiddlers and accordion players. During the workshop Jean will lead you through the various strumming patterns for jigs, reels, waltzes and polkas. You'll also learn how to put chords to tunes, and how to "arrange" your chords so that your accompaniment is interesting and fun to play!

The St. John's Folk Arts Council is interested in presenting activities that involve participation between the generations. There is no age limit for this workshop, but all participants must have a basic knowledge of how to play guitar.

DATE:      SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH

PLACE:   THE MASONIC TEMPLE, CATHEDRAL STREET

TIME:       10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

COST:      Adults $25; Seniors, Students and Youth $20:

PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE OF THE WORKSHOP.

JEAN HEWSON

For the last twenty years, Jean Hewson has been teaching guitar to individuals and groups in Newfoundland and throughout Canada. Her career in traditional music began in 1982 when she became the lead singer/guitarist for the folk group Barkin' Kettle. Since then, she has toured extensively both nationally and internationally, presenting the music of Newfoundland on stages abroad with her musical partner Christina Smith.

In addition to her private teaching practice, Jean has taught at folk music camps throughout Canada, including The Woods Music and Dance Camp in Muskoka Ontario, and the Celtic College in Goderich Ontario.

Her innovative guitar playing has graced a number of recordings, including the ECMA-nominated CD Like Ducks!, Christina Smith's Fiddle Me This, and Galing For a Storm by the STEP Fiddlers. Over the years, Jean has also accompanied many of Newfoundland's finest instrumental players, including Rufus Guinchard, Emile Benoit, Minnie White, Christina Smith, and Frank Maher.