Jams and Picking Parties

/Events/
­

Jam in Boarding House Park

Boardinghouse Park 40 French St., Lowell, MA

To get folks ready for the Lowell Banjo and Fiddle Contest (Sept 7th), we are going to meet in Boarding House Park in Lowell on August 17th for jamming.  We will play from 10AM until 2PM or so.  We will break up into separate jams for different styles if there is interest in doing so.  Bring instruments, a chair, and your own water and food.  There won't be any vendors around but there will be open restrooms in some of the park buildings.  Backup rain date is August 18th.

Free

Lowell Banjo and Fiddle Contest

Boardinghouse Park 40 French St., Lowell, MA

The 39th Annual Lowell Banjo and Fiddle Contest (Platinum sponsored by the BBU) will be held on September 7th, 2019 in Boarding House Park, in Lowell Massachusetts with workshops at 10AM, organized jams at 11AM and the contest beginning at noon.  Informal jams happen all day long.  For more details visit: http://lowellsummermusic.org/page.php?wpage=root/eventdetail.htm&Event=LSMS-E67225  

Free

FreshGrass Festival

MASS MoCA 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, MA

FreshGrass is a wonderland of traditional and cutting edge bluegrass and roots music, tucked appropriately into a 19th-century factory turned 21st-century museum in the Berkshire mountains of northwestern Massachusetts. An opportunity for enthusiasts to both appreciate and participate, FreshGrass is family-friendly and brimming with the brightest talent not just on our four stages, but also in our galleries, brick-lined courtyards, and grassy fields. MASS MoCA is one of the world’s premier centers for making and showing the best art of our time. The museum’s vast galleries and multiplicity of stages — both inside and out — offer artists unprecedented opportunities to make and present large-scale sculpture, inventive theater, roots music writers, ‌and big new musical ideas that will confound expectations…and delight you.

$3 – $350

Online Rollick

The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY

Old-time immersion weekend ONLINE! Starts TODAY! ashokancenter.org/online-rollick-2020

$50

Fiddle Hell Online

Online MA

Our schedule and instructor list are posted at https://FiddleHell.org, and registration is open for Fiddle Hell Online, April 15-18, 2021. FHO will have 200 live workshops to learn from, 35 live concerts to enjoy, and 35 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, old-time banjo, and singing. All sessions will be replayable (and can be slowed down) for 3 months after the event. More than 100 instructors -- experienced & supportive teachers, and wonderful & inspiring players -- will cover Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Cape Breton, East European, Electric, Québécois, Gypsy Jazz, Irish, Jazz, Klezmer, Latin, Mexican, New Acoustic, New England, Old-Time Southern, Scandinavian, Scottish, Swing, Texas, and Western Swing styles. Attending FHO is not only an amazing experience, it’s a way for you to support and connect with these wonderful instructors and performers. Bluegrass instructors & performers include Sharon Gilchrist, Andy Statman, Erica Brown, Richie Brown, Margaret Gerteis, Billy Contreras, Darol Anger, Ellen Carlson, Jeremy Kittel, Alex Hargreaves, Matt Shipman, Peter Anick, Joy Adams, Andy Reiner. A few instructors in other styles include: Kevin Burke, Wendy MacIsaac, Michael Doucet, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Hanneke Cassel, Jake Blount, Mike Block, Cathy Fink, ... With 270 sessions + 100 instructors + 3 months of video replays, Fiddle Hell Online is of great value to players and listeners alike. Previous attendees said that their broad opportunities for learning (tunes, styles, instruments, techniques), gains in musical inspiration, and renewed connections with the community were priceless! And it's great to have a front row seat for every session. As in the past, discounts are available for seniors and young musicians, and there are further discounts and giveaways for early bird signups. Scholarships based on financial need are available. … Read More »

Recurring

Concord Conservatory Open Bluegrass Jam

Concord Conservatory of Music 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA

The Open Bluegrass Jam is back! Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:00 pm in the sanctuary Open to bluegrass players at all levels – guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, dobro, bass, singers – join Max Anderson as he calls the tunes, posts the charts, and leads the group (at a manageable speed) through the great repertoire of tunes and songs from the bluegrass tradition. Open to musicians and those who just want to listen and observe. Jam dates: December 2, 9, and 16, January 6, 13, 20, and 27, February 3, 10, and 17, March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, April 7, 14, and 28, May 5, 12, 19, and 26 $10 suggested donation is greatly appreciated to support the program.

$10

Recurring

Tuftonboro Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Jam session

The Old White Church, Center Tuftonboro, NH

The weekly Tuftonboro Country, Bluegrass & Gospel Music Jam Session continues at the historic Old White Church of Center Tuftonboro every Tuesday from 6:30 until about 9:30 pm.  Fans of country, bluegrass and gospel music are invited to enjoy an evening of music. There is no admission charge, a donation is requested to help cover operational expenses.  The Church is located on Route 109A, just across from the Tuftonboro General Store & Post Office.  Everyone is invited to attend the jam session while enjoying cookies and a cup of coffee.  For more info call Joe at 569-3861.

2022 Bluegrass Camp at Ashokan

The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY

Kimber Ludiker hosts a week of bluegrass instruction and jamming for guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, vocals and songwriting. Learn from inspirational teachers hand-picked to cultivate a magical environment after a long few years of not being able to learn in person! Staff includes: Casey Campbell, Greg Cahill, Vickie Vaughn, Grant Gordy and your host Kimber Ludiker! Plus, jambassador, Tessa Schwartz!

Bluegrass Jam Sunday Dec 11, Gloucester, MA, 2-5pm

Diamond Cove Music 57 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA

This is happening at Diamond Cove Music.  Please check out their website to learn more.  www.diamondcovemusic.com

$5