News and Announcements
Concert: Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo
Friday, September 23, 8 pm
FREE, Advance Reservations Required
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is hosting a series of free concerts to thank our loyal patrons for their support during difficult times. The Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo kicks off the series on September 23. The award-winning acoustic blues guitarist and singer and her partner Jim Countryman present an energetic show of down-home blues including vintage classics from artists like Memphis Minnie, Mississippi John Hurt, and Blind Blake as well as original compositions.
A full house is expected for this event and advance reservations are required. To reserve a seat (maximum of two per reservation), send an email to info@acousticblues.com.
Covid Guidelines
Proof of Covid vaccination is required for all events at Archie's Barbershop. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks at indoor events.
Fundraising
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation ("Archie's Barbershop") is grateful to the donors and volunteers who have helped keep the work of the Foundation alive during these challenging Covid pandemic times.
Instead of spending time together in person, we have spent time in front of screens, working to keep the music and our connections to each other alive through online jams and workshops. When local health advisories allowed, we resumed in-person events including outdoor and indoor jams, keeping our community safe by following strict vaccination and masking protocols. Musicians representing Archie's Barbershop participated in both live and virtual community festivals and events.
Through it all, we have been committed to continuing the tradition learning and playing acoustic blues established by Archie Edwards in the 1950s.
The Foundation’s mission is to keep acoustic blues traditions alive though education, performance, and community. To continue, we need your help. We are an all-volunteer organization, operating on a shoestring on funds provided by donations and the efforts of a volunteer crew. If you have been affected by what we do, or you just love the music, please consider donating to the Foundation to help us continue to be a positive voice in the world.
To donate, click on the yellow DONATE
button at the right side of the very bottom
of this page.
Acoustic Blues Jams
Saturdays, 1-5 pm
Proof of vaccination required
Weekly acoustic blues jams have resumed indoors. All attendees must present proof of accination and encouraged to wear masks unless singing or playing a harmonica or horn.
About the Saturday Jams
We welcome an eclectic mix of acoustic instruments -- guitars and harmonicas, piano, fiddles and mandolins, “bones” and other hand percussion instruments, flutes and horns, upright bass, accordions, vocalists, as well as unusual instruments such as washtub bass and musical saws. Listeners are welcome too!
Location of "Archie's Barbershop"
Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation
4502 Hamilton Street
Hyattsville, Maryland
Upcoming Events
For more details about these events, please visit the Events/Calendar section of this website.
Workshop Series: Piedmont Guitar
with Gina DeSimone
In-Person or Virtual
Saturdays
September 10, October 8, November 12
11 am -12:30 pm
Gina will teach techniques and songs in the Piedmont style of fingerpicking blues.
Concert: Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo
Friday, September 23, 8 pm
Free event, advance reservations required.
Acoustic Blues Jams
Saturdays, 1-5 pm
Weekly Saturday acoustic blues jams have resumed indoors at Archie's Barbershop. Proof of Covid vaccination is required, and masks must be worn unless singing or playing a harmonica or horn.
Acoustic Open Mic
Third Thursday Every Month
7:30-10:30pm
Musicians may play three songs, with a jam at the end if time permits. Listeners are encouraged to attend.
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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is keeping acoustic blues traditions alive. Through weekly Saturday jams, performances, workshops, exhibits, and lectures, AEBHF carries on the educational mission of celebrated Piedmont blues artist Archie Edwards.
HERITAGE
Archie Edwards (1918-1998) was a barber, teacher, storyteller, and master of the Piedmont style of blues guitar. “Archie’s Barbershop” in Northeast Washington, DC, was a gathering place where generations of musicians and friends came to listen to and learn the music.
SATURDAY JAMS
Continuing a tradition that began more than 50 years ago by Archie Edwards at his barbershop, AEBHF hosts an acoustic blues jam every Saturday afternoon. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome, and many music lovers stop by just to listen.