News and Announcements
Virtual Activities
During the COVID-19 Pandemic the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is still keeping East coast acoustic blues alive. This winter, we are making Zoom our temporary platform with the incorporation of some temporary changes to accommodate all participants.
Virtual Open Mic
Thursdays 7-9 pm EST
Dates:
January 28
February 11, February 25
March 11, March 25
Archie's Barbershop will host an acoustic virtual open mic on Thursdays, from 7-9pm, on the dates shown above. Any music style is acceptable as long as it is acoustic. Backing tracks must also be acoustic. Check back on the AEBHF Facebook page (link at the bottom of this page) the day before the event for details and the Zoom log in to join.
Virtual Acoustic Blues Jams
Saturdays, 1-3 pm EST
Dates:
January 23
February 6, February 20
March 6, March 20
All are welcome to play or watch in the jam, which is acoustic blues only. Backing tracks, if used, must also be acoustic. Check back on the AEBHF Facebook page (link at the bottom of this web page) the day before the event for details and the Zoom log in to join.
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.
Since the Zoom platform has technical constraints and latency, only one musician’s microphone can be active/live at a time. This poses a challenge for those who need musical accompaniment, so for now they may use pre-recorded backing tracks as long as they follow the guidelines we have set out.
For more details about the virtual jams, guidelines regarding the use of backing tracks, and the Zoom links for participating, click on the Facebook page link at the bottom of this page.
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Fundraising
To all of our friends and patrons: We all recoginize that this has been a difficult year but a contribution to " Archie's Barbershop" would be much appreciated so that we can continue our work to keep acoustic blues alive, We are not going anywhere. We are planning several new virtual activities and will be up and running in our Hyattsville location as soon as it is safe to resume group activity.
We are funded almost entirely by donations. Our operating expenses (such as rent) continue even though we are closed. Please hit the DONATE button at the bottom of this page to learn more and make a donation to help keep blues alive!
Thank you for your support!
Location of "Archie's Barbershop"
Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation
4502 Hamilton Street
Hyattsville, Maryland
Upcoming Events
New Virtual Activities Planned
Archie's Barbershop is planning new virtual activities during the colder weather using online tools such as Zoom, Facebook, and Youtube. Check back for information about upcoming jams, workshops, and concerts.
Virtual Open Mic
Thursdays, 7-9 pm EST
January 28
February 11, February 25
March 11, March 25
Virtual Acoustic Blues Jam
Saturdays, 1-3 pm EST
January 23
February 6, February 20
March 6, March 20
Zoom/Online Guitar Workshops
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is continuing our guitar workshops virtually, using the Zoom (or other online) platform. Check back for information about future workshops.
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.