Jams and Picking Parties

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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

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

Recurring

Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P’s Fried Chicken & Oysters

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

Bluegrass Tuesdays began in Central Square in Cambridge in September of 1993 and has since grown to host regional and national artists on stage and serve as a weekly gathering place for the local bluegrass community. Bluegrass Tuesdays are now hosted by Tony Watt and held at chef Chris Parsons' restaurant Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters in Kendall Square in Cambridge. Concerts and picking in the many areas of the restaurant or outside in nice weather. For 27 years, Tuesday Night Bluegrass at The Cantab Lounge was hosted by Geoff Bartley, about whom reviewer Nate Dow wrote, “If Massachusetts were ever to appoint a Folk Laureate, the honor would have to go to the one and only Geoff Bartley." Geoff welcomed nationally-known bluegrass artists to the stage such as Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, David Grier, Missy Raines, Jim Hurst, Chris Jones, Molly Tuttle, and the late James King. Bluegrass Tuesdays have also been a place where many bluegrass musicians have met and “cut their teeth”, including members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, Della Mae, The Gibson Brothers, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Mile Twelve, and Joy Kills Sorrow.

Free

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