The Rooster's Wife offers a special opportunity for banjo players Sunday, Sept. 11, at Poplar Knight Spot. Ryan Cavanaugh offers a two-hour workshop beginning at 1 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $50 and includes admission to the evening performance, where Cavanaugh will join bluegrass duo Jeff and Vida for musical performance.

Discovered by guitar legend John McLaughlin in 2006, banjoist Ryan Cavanaugh has spent the last four years touring the international jazz scene with acclaimed saxophonist and Miles Davis alum, Bill Evans. In his early 20s, before performing and recording with Bill Evans, Sam Bush, Victor Wooten, Bela Fleck, Robben Ford and many others, Cavanaugh was a champion of the Merlefest, Rockygrass and Renofest banjo contests. In 2007, he released his bluegrass CD "Songs For the New Frontier" and played on eight tracks of Bill Evans' record "The Other Side of Something" along with greats Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Victor Wooten and Dennis Chambers.

Call (910) 944-7502 or email theroosterwife@yahoo.com to register by Sept. 8. Private lessons are also available.

On Sept. 29, the Rooster's Wife offers a fiddle/violin workshop with Casey Driessen, who will demonstrate and teach "The Chop," a new percussive bowing technique that is sweeping the violin world.

"With that skill under your horse hair, you'll also learn a new tune (melody and chords) to use as framework to discuss improvisation and accompaniment as it applies to the fiddle family of instruments," says a spokesman. "Casey is also open to field any questions you may have."

Bringing your fiddle, violin, viola, cello or bass is required, and a recording device highly encouraged. All teaching will be done by ear.

Casey Driessen has toured and recorded with a wide range of artists including Steve Earle, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Zac Brown Band, Frank Vignola, Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet. He is currently fiddling for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

The workshop will be Thursday, Sept. 29, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The cost is $75, and includes admission to the evening show, Casey Dreissen and the Color Fools, at 7:30.

For registration, call (910) 944-7502 or send an email to theroosterswife@gmail.com.