Jams and Picking Parties

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Bluegrass Jam Camp (Wernick Method)

Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters 50 Binney St., Cambridge, MA

Austin Scelzo hosts a weekend of jam instruction using the Wernick Method, an inventive and time-tested pedagogy designed to build or improve confidence making music with others! All Bluegrass Instruments, all skill levels welcome. Hands-on learning in large and small groups. Understanding, low-pressure, experienced teaching from a certified teacher. Experienced Jammers are given extra challenges and can be grouped together. Make music with friends, make friends with music!

$180

Recurring

Drop-In Open Bluegrass Jam at Groton Hill

Groton Hill Music Center 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton, MA

Friendly jams for friendly people, led by our fun faculty performers. Our Drop-In Jam Night is four jams in four genres, under one roof: Bluegrass with Frank Drake Irish with Laurel Martin Ukulele with Mark Femino Jazz with Dave Fox Music is a collaborative art form, bringing us together to listen, learn, and rip a few hot breaks. Join us as we open Groton Hill’s inspiring facilities to jammers from across the region. Pick your favorite genre and play, move from room to room, or just hang out with friends to listen over a pint. For intermediate players ages 16+. Bars are open for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Patrons must furnish a valid ID to purchase alcoholic beverages. $10 at the door - cash or credit card accepted.

$10
Recurring

Drop-In Bluegrass Jam at Groton Hill

Groton Hill Music Center 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton, MA

Friendly jams for friendly people, led by our fun faculty performers. Our Drop-In Jam Night is four jams in four genres, under one roof: Bluegrass with Frank Drake Irish with Laurel Martin Ukulele with Mark Femino Jazz with Dave Fox Music is a collaborative art form, bringing us together to listen, learn, and rip a few hot breaks. Join us as we open Groton Hill’s inspiring facilities to jammers from across the region. Pick your favorite genre and play, move from room to room, or just hang out with friends to listen over a pint. For intermediate players ages 16+. Bars are open for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Patrons must furnish a valid ID to purchase alcoholic beverages. $10 at the door - cash or credit card accepted.

$10

Too Blue at Lily P’s, Saturday show

Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters 50 Binney St., Cambridge, MA

Too Blue is bringing their acoustic blend of bluegrass & swing to Lily P's! Special Saturday show with Too Blue from NY/CT as featured artist. Lily P’s Fried Chicken & Oysters, 50 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142. Info at: www.bluegrasstuesdays.com Show 7 pm – 9 pm, jam set after. Suggested donation $20.

CCM Bluegrass Band Scramble

Concord Conservatory of Music 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA

Join the CCM Bluegrass Band Scramble and become a member of a new band for the afternoon. Presented by the Concord Conservatory of Music, this event is perfect for anyone who loves bluegrass and wants to perform with other enthusiastic and experienced musicians. On Saturday, January 20th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, accomplished banjo player and CCM faculty member, Rich Stillman, will lead the Scramble with CCM faculty and Bluegrass Jam leader, Maxfield Anderson. To create well-formed bands, individuals sign up for the Scramble and are paired with other musicians by picking names out of a hat, one for each instrument. Bandmates then have over two hours to practice and prepare songs and stage patter for a three-song turn performing for a live audience, with a professional sound system and engineer. There is no need to feel stressed; the Bluegrass Band Scramble is a competition-free zone. It is an opportunity to learn and hone skills while having fun with like-minded individuals. To reserve your spot in advance, participants can sign up and pay the $35 registration fee at ConcordConservatory.org. But if you decide to join us at the last minute, don't worry! You can still register at the door on January 20th. Join us for a free live concert and enjoy great bluegrass music! Following the Scramble, everyone is invited to attend a live and free concert at 4:00 pm. The newly formed bands will perform and we welcome the public to enjoy great bluegrass music. If you have any questions, please call 978-369-0010 or email [email protected]. Concord Conservatory of Music is the area's non-profit community music school located at 1317 Main Street, West Concord.

$35

Harry Smith Frolic

Camp Kiwanee Camp Kiwanee Road, Hanson, MA

Camping and old time jam weekend in Greenfield, MA On the Green River at Camp Keewanee, Greenfield, Mass. July 12-14, 2024 Friday 5pm through Sunday 5pm (No early birds! Day Camp in session weekdays) Suggested donation: $40/weekend or $20/day Summer day camp facilities including: •Unfurnished cabins to play music in (no beds) •Bathrooms and showers •Picnic pavilion & basketball court •Camping and parking on flat ground •Frolicking in the Green River •Swimming Pool open select hours Saturday Morning Secular River Immersions Potluck Saturday Night & Midnight Reenactment Vol. 2 Harry Smith Anthology This volume has everything: fiddle & string band tunes, cajun, gospel, blues, shape note. So study up!

$40

Common Picking Mini Bluegrass Festival (On-the-Common)

Parish Center for the Arts 10 Lincoln St, Westford, MA

A full day of music, learning sessions, jamming and all things Bluegrass! Pack lawn chairs, blankets, picnics and your instruments (if you'd like to partake!) Listeners are also very welcome, as there will be much to hear! Sessions begin at noon, with a special guest concert to cap the event in the early evening. Join us! Presented by Parish Center for the Arts. Sat, Aug 3 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT Westford Common 10 Lincoln Street Westford, MA 01886

Recurring

3rd Friday Jam at PCA

Parish Center for the Arts 10 Lincoln St, Westford, MA

Featuring, but not limited to Bluegrass music Bring your Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, Bass, Dobro, Harp (all types), mandolin, bones, etc.. and come and enjoy a night of great music. The Parish Center For The Arts (The PCA). 10 Lincoln Street Westford, MA PCA is a BYOB facility, so feel free to bring snacks, a bottle, whatever! Please bring whatever you need, and be sure to police up everything when we go. I ask you to leave no trash, garbage, bottles, cans, etc behind. There are chairs and tables as needed. This is a pass-the-hat event, with proceeds going to the PCA to offset the cost of our usage. Welcome to players of all skill levels and audiences alike. Free parking Monthly on 3rd Fridays, 7-10pm

Recurring

Backbeat 4th Thursday Jam – Beverly

Backbeat Brewing 31A Park, Beverly, MA

7-9:30 pm every 4th Thursday at Backbeat Brewing in Beverly, MA. Join us the 4th Thursday of every month to listen or play! All levels welcome. Our first jam in May was a big success with over twenty players jamming in the restaurant and out on the patio. Lively bluegrass filled the air and judging by the hearty applause, everyone loved it! The Backbeat menu feature two dozen delicious beers on tap, and the kitchen cooks up tasty thin-crust pizzas (including a gluten-free option) and various appetizers. Backbeat is located at 31 Park St (just off Rantoul), directly across the street from the Beverly Depot train station. There is plenty of on-street parking. Check Facebook for updates to the schedule.

Recurring

Concord Open Bluegrass Jam

The Concord Conservatory of Music 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA

The Concord Open Bluegrass Jam is a weekly, community driven jam session that prides itself in being an open space for local musicians and music-lovers to socially engage and create music together. Maxfield Anderson leads the group through vocal songs and instrumental tunes from a variety of musical traditions, including bluegrass, old time, classic country and western, blues, swing, and beyond. Musicians are encouraged—never required—to bring in songs to play with the group. The Jam is open to acoustic musicians including voice, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, dobro, bass, cello, harmonica, etc. and at all levels, as well as community members who wish to listen and enjoy the beautiful sanctuary. The Jam is open to the public. A $10 suggested donation is greatly appreciated! Thank you. July 11, 18 August 1, 29

$10