Upcoming events of old time music interest in the SF Bay Area:
=============================================================
7/18/25
GENERAL INFO:
=============
To keep up with old time happenings in the Bay Area, join the oldtimesf groups.io email list:
Go to https://groups.io/g/oldtimeSF/ and click "Join this Group", or send an email to oldtimesf+subscribe@groups.io.
This calendar is also available at https://sites.google.com/site/davbrown2/oldtimesf
and can be located through the BOTMC (Berkeley Old Time Music Convention) website http://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org under the "Other Events" menu item.
The website is updated more frequently, but I limit emails via oldtimeSF to monthly, unless there is important breaking news.
My monthly calendar of Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois, etc) music events in the SF Bay Area is posted to the CelticSF groups.io email list, and can be found at:
https://sites.google.com/site/davbrown2/celtic
or
https://tinyurl.com/celticSF
HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH
=====================
* Foghorn in July
* Rhiannon Giddens & The Old Time Revue (Justin Robinson, Dirk Powell, Amelia Powell, Jason Sypher, Demeanor) in July
NEWS
====
* The new film "Don’t Get Trouble in Your Mind: The Carolina Chocolate Drops’ Story" can be viewed on a number of streaming services, including Hoopla (through your public library), AppleTV+, and Amazon Freevee (with ads).
https://dontgettroubleinyourmind.com/
* The East Bay Square dance is now back to its regular location and schedule (3rd Friday) & location (Hillside Club 2286 Cedar Berkeley) and has added a free old time jam before the dance (6:45pm). The July jam will be hosted by myself & Tony Phillips. Note that the September dance will be on the 4th Friday to avoid conflicting with the BOTMC.
* Darcy Ford James (a Black Banjo & Fiddle Fellow) will be teaching “Tunes and Techniques of Black Fiddle Players,” a series of Zoom workshops, on July 26 & Aug 2 11am (note date change) through the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. See https://opcmusic.org or email blackbanjo AT opcmusic.org.
* "Bluegrass Breeze" - bluegrass music at Salesforce Park SF every Saturday 11:30am-1:30pm from May 3 through Oct 25
https://www.tjpa.org/salesforce-transit-center/activities
Partial list of performers at https://www.cbaweb.org/MessageBoard/Topic/97197 .
SAVE THE DATE
==============
* Golden Old-Time Campout in Guerneville Aug 21-24
* BOTMC Sept 17-21 - schedule is now posted and Freight tickets now on sale; advance tickets for Ashkenaz events & info for workshop reg coming soon
Jake Blount, Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus - as a trio!!!
Bruce Molsky - master of oldtime fiddle, banjo and more
Ozark Highballers - oldtime string band from Arkansas! Bay Area debut
Sarah Kate Morgan - traditional singer from Kentucky - her dulcimer playing is amazing
Cajun Trio (Jimmy Breax, Blake Miller, Amelia Biere)
Aux Cajunals
WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow
Manning Mud Stompers
callers Susan Michaels, Connor Maguire
https://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/
http://www.sffolkfest.org/
* Dare to be Square West at Ashkenaz & Starry Plough Nov 7-9
Details now posted at https://www.daretobesquarewest.com/
* The featured artists for the Santa Barbara Old-Time Fiddlers' Festival Oct 4 have been announced
* Instructor list for the Fall 2025 Walker Creek Music Camp (Oct 23-26) now posted at https://walkercreekmusiccamp.org/
DANCES
======
* Feral Friday Square Dance next - 8/8/25
Polish Club 3040 22nd St @ Shotwell, SF
6:45pm-8pm jam
7:30pm-8pm pre-dance beginners lesson
https://feralfridaysfsquaredance.com/
* East Bay Square dance
3rd Friday (except September)
Hillside Club 2286 Cedar St Berkeley
6:45pm-8pm jam; 8pm-10pm dance
https://www.bacds.org/series/square/east-bay/
https://www.facebook.com/eastbaysquaredance
Fri 7/18/25 Evie Ladin with Round Top String Band
Fri 8/15 Robin Fischer with Round Top String Band
Fri 9/26 (4th Friday!!)
Fri 10/17
Fri 11/21
Fri 12/19/25 Evie Ladin with Round Top String Band
* Bolinas square dance Sat 7/19
* Also check the Rip and Snort calendar at https://www.ripandsnort.com/.
JAMS
====
* Old Time jam
2nd Friday 6:45 to 8:00 before the Feral Friday Square Dance
Polish Club 3040 22nd St @ Shotwell, SF
* Old Time jam
3rd Friday 6:45 to 8:00 before the East Bay Square Dance
Hillside Club Berkeley
* SF Andronico jam
1st, 3rd, 5th Tues 7pm-8:45pm
1200 Irving (Funston between Lincoln & Irving) SF
* Progressive Grounds Sun. 4th Sunday 3-5:30pm
bring warm layers
Progressive Grounds Cafe, 400 Cortland St. in San Francisco's Bernal Height
* Shred Sesh - 3rd Sat 4-6pm
Hosted ONION jam, rotating hosts. All Welcome
Starry Plough, Berkeley
7/19/25 - Evie Ladin hosts
12/20/25 - Evie Ladin hosts
* Old time jams at the Berkeley Public Library, Main Branch, 2090 Kittredge St. Art & Music Dept on 5th Floor
third Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 pm
https://berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=old-time&r=range&start=today&end=2025-12-31
* Old time jam Rotary Valley Senior Village Community Center San Rafael
2nd Sat of month 11am-1pm
* Old time jam at the Way Station (Fairfax) - 3rd Sunday of the month 1pm-3:30pm
bring your own chair
* Upcoming old time nights at the Tam Jam (Invitational Jam - more a performance than a jam)
Taste of Rome 1000 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
https://jambot.org/JamBots/TamJam
* Old Time and Celtic session upstairs at SF Folk Music Club - 2nd & 4th Fridays 7pm-10pm
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church 2097 Turk Boulevard (at Lyon Street) SF
https://www.sffmc.org/musical-meetings/
* 1st Sun 1-5pm::
Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association
summer: Rose Garden Park on Naglee
otherwise Hoover Middle School, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose 95126 corner of Naglee and Park
http://www.scvfa.org/ (http://www.fiddlers.org)
* 3rd Sunday 1pm
Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association
acoustic jam in various parks in the south bay & Santa Cruz
http://www.scvfa.org/ (http://www.fiddlers.org)
* 1st Sunday (beginning Jan 5 2025) - 6:30pm-8pm
The Catalyst Arts & Wellness Studio 926 N. Yosemite, Stockton
StocktonOldTimeBluegrass@gmail.com
See the section "ONGOING SESSIONS" below for details and other jams.
=================================================
UPCOMING
========
Week 1: July 12-18, 2025; Week 2: July 19-25 2025
California Coast Music Camp
https://www.musiccamp.org/
Fri July 18 2025
East Bay Square Dance
free jam at 6:45pm
Hillside Club, Berkeley
https://www.bacds.org/series/square/east-bay/
https://www.facebook.com/eastbaysquaredance
July 18 2025
Rhiannon Giddens & The Old Time Revue
Green Music Center, Sonoma State University
https://rhiannongiddens.com/tour
https://gmc.sonoma.edu/rhiannon-giddens/
July 19 2025 11:30am-1:30pm
Evie Ladin & Alisa Rose
Salesforce Park SF
https://evieladin.com/events/
July 19 2025
Square dance
Robin Fischer, Baybillies
The Borg Barn, 8 Horshoe Hill Rd, Bolinas
https://www.ripandsnort.com/ca.html
July 19 2025 SOLD OUT
Rhiannon Giddens & The Old Time Revue
Redwood Ramble, Camp Navarro
https://rhiannongiddens.com/tour
https://redwoodramble.com/artists/
July 21-Aug 1 2025
Redwood Music Kid Camp
(A two-week day camp for young musicians ages 7-13)
St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Scotts Valley
https://www.communitymusicschool.org/kid-camp
July 21 2025 7:30pm
Rhiannon Giddens & The Old Time Revue
Mountain Winery, Saratoga
https://www.mountainwinery.com/events/detail/?event_id=875476
July 22 2025
Foghorn Stringband
Mendocino Arts Festival, Mendocino, CA
https://mendocinomusic.org/event/foghorn-stringband/
Wed July 23 2025
Foghorn Stringband
The Freight
https://secure.thefreight.org/15079/15080-foghorn-stringband-250723
July 25-27 2025
Kindred Gathering
mostly fretted dulcimer players, but all are welcome
Camp Herms, El Cerrito
https://sites.google.com/view/kgdulcimerfest/kindred-gathering-dulcimer-festival
July 26 2025 11am
Darcy Ford James (a Black Banjo & Fiddle Fellow) will be teaching “Tunes and Techniques of Black Fiddle Players,” a series of Zoom workshops, on July 26 & Aug 2 11am (note date change) through the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. See https://opcmusic.org or email blackbanjo AT opcmusic.org.
Saturday, July 26
showing of Joe Weed's film “The Mystery of the Ookpik”
Fiddling Cricket Concert Series, The Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA
crbrundle AT gmail.com
There will be a short concert of fiddle music after the film
trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03-6_R3VnW8
Sat July 26 11am-12:30pm
Easy Winners
Muir Woods Park Community Association 90th Anniversary Jamboree
40 Ridge Avenue Mill Valley, CA, 94941
https://www.easywinners.band/shows/easy-winners-at-muir-woods-park-community-association-jamboree
https://mounttam.org/
Sun July 27
Skillet Licorice - Page Street Block Party
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
July 28 - Aug 1 2025
Washington Oldtime Fiddlers Assocation workshop
fiddle, guitar & mandolin workshops
Moses Lake, WA
http://fiddlecamp.wotfa.org/
July 27-Aug 3 2025
Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival & Workshop
https://centrum.org/program/acoustic-blues/
July 31-Aug 3 2025 (1st weekend of Aug)
Pickathon Roots Music Festival
Pendarvis Farm near Portland.
http://www.pickathon.com
July/Aug 2025
July 26-Aug 1
Aug 2-Aug 8
Aug 9-15
Aug 16-22
Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Bremerton, WA
http://www.pugetsoundguitarworkshop.org/
Thurs July 31 5:30pm
Skillet Licorice
Filoli Summer Nights Series
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
August 1-9, 2025
Lark in the Morning Camp
Mendocino
https://www.larkcamp.org
Aug 2 2025 11am
Darcy Ford James (a Black Banjo & Fiddle Fellow) will be teaching “Tunes and Techniques of Black Fiddle Players,” a series of Zoom workshops, on July 26 & Aug 2 11am (note date change) through the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. See https://opcmusic.org or email blackbanjo AT opcmusic.org.
Aug 7-10 2025 (2nd weekend of August)
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Hollister
San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos
https://ncbs.us/events/gof/
Aug 7-9 2025 (2nd weekend of August)
Subdued Stringband Jamboree
Bellingham WA
http://www.stringbandjamboree.com/
Thurs Aug 7 11:30am
Skillet Licorice
Lunchbreak Music at Union Square SF
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Thurs Aug 7 5:30pm
Skillet Licorice
Filoli Summer Nights Series
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Fri Aug 8 7:30pm
Michael Doucet & the Aux Cajunals
Ashkeneaz
Aug 8 2025
Feral Friday Square Dance
Old Time jam from 6:45 to 8:00
pre-dance lesson to learn basic square dance moves 7:30pm-8pm
dance starts 8pm
Polish Club 3040 22nd St @ Shotwell, SF
https://feralfridaysfsquaredance.com/
Aug 8-10 2025
Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival
Sutter Creek CA
http://www.historicsuttercreekragtimefestival.com/
August 9-17 2025
second Sunday in August through the third Sunday.
Centralia Campout
Centralia WA
http://www.centraliacampout.com/
Aug 9-10 2025
California Musical Saw Festival
Santa Cruz, Roaring Camp (Felton)
http://www.sawplayers.org/festinfo.html
Aug 10 2025 10am-2pm Free
Alan Senauke Memorial
Freight (and livestreamed)
reserve seats at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hozan-alan-senaukes-memorial-service-tickets-1415639288219
livestream details coming soon
Aug 10-16 2025
Colorado Roots Music Camp
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, Divide CO
https://www.rmmc.org/roots/camp-2/
https://www.facebook.com/corootsmusiccamp
Aug 15-17 2025
Balance the Bay (in-town contra dance weekend)
typically 2nd weekend of August
Janet Pomeroy Center, SF (near the zoo)
http://www.bacds.org/camps/btb
Aug 16 2025 9am-5pm (tentative)
Redwood Dulcimer Day (online)
http://www.redwooddulcimerday.org/
https://www.communitymusicschool.org/dulcimer-day/
Aug 16 2025 6pm-10pm
Evie Ladin & Skillet Licorice
Tara Firma Farms Barndance
https://evieladin.com/events/
Aug 19 5:30pm-7:30pm
Old time jam
Berkeley Public Library, main branch, Art & Music Dept 5th floor
https://berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=old-time&r=range&start=today&end=2025-12-31
August 21 2025
(typically Thurs before Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle Camp)
Fiddle Summit w/ Scottish Fiddle Camp faculty
Freight, Berkeley
Aug 21-24 2025
CBA Golden Oldtime Campout
Camp Russian River, Guerneville CA
https://californiabluegrass.org/goc/home/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064358995162
Aug 22-30 2025
Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle Camp
(typically Fri through following Sat, week ending in Labor Day weekend)
Camp Campbell, Boulder Creek
http://www.valleyofthemoon.org
Aug 25 2025 6:30pm-10pm
Alan Bond & Skedaddle
Blondie's SF
https://www.alanbondskedaddle.com/shows
Aug 27-Sept 1 2025 (Labor Day Weekend)
Zigzag Old Time Music Campout
Zagzag Mountain Farm
on Mount Hood about an hour from Portland OR
https://bubbaville.org/zigzag/
https://www.zigzagmountainfarm.com/
Thurs Aug 28 5:30pm
Skillet Licorice
Filoli Summer Nights Series
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Aug 2025? (Friday of Labor Day Weekend)
Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School Concert
Aug 29-Sept 1 2025 Labor Day Weekend
Plumas Americana Music Festival
Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds
204 Fairground Rd, Quincy, California 95971
http://www.plumasamericana.com/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Plumas-Homegrown-Americana-Festival-100068979591188/
Aug 29-Sept 1 2025 (Labor Day Weekend)
SF Folk Club campout
Camp Herms, El Cerrito
https://www.sffmc.org/
Sun Aug 31 10am
Skillet Licorice
Stanly Ranch market, 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa, CA
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Sept 3 2025 6:30pm
Clean Heat
Luigi's, Martinez
https://evieladin.com/events/
Sept 4-7 2025
American Banjo Camp
Pilgrim Firs Conference Center, Port Orchard WA
http://www.americanbanjocamp.com/
Thurs Sept 4 5:30pm
Skillet Licorice
Filoli Summer Nights Series
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Sept 5 8pm-10pm
Alan Bond & Skedaddle
Kensington Circus Pub
https://www.alanbondskedaddle.com/shows
Fri Sep 5, 7:30pm
Nic Gareiss & Simon Chrisman
Santa Cruz house concert
concerts AT instantharmony.com
Sat Sept 6 11:30am
Evie Ladin Band
Salesforce Park SF
https://evieladin.com/events/
Sat Sept 6
Evie Ladin Band
Saratoga house concert & workshop
5-6 Harmony Singing Workshop
6:30 Evie Ladin Band in Concert
connieskates AT me.com
Thurs Sept 11 5:30pm
Skillet Licorice
Filoli Summer Nights Series
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Sat Sept 13 2025
Festival of the Sea
SF Maritime National Historical Park
Sun Sept 14 5:30pm
Skillet Licorice
Filoli Summer Nights Series
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
Sept 2025 (typically 3rd weekend of Sept)
Echo Summit contra dance weekend
Camp Sacramento
2024: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/echo-summit-dance-camp-2024/
Sept 2025
annual jam at SF Botanical Garden's Flower Piano
Golden Gate Park Arboretum; 9th Ave & Lincoln
Contact Dinah Stroe at dinahbeatrice AT gmail.com.
https://sfbotanicalgarden.org/flowerpiano/
http://sunsetpiano.com/flowerpiano/
Sept 16-21 2025
Berkeley Old Time Music Convention
Jake Blount, Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus - as a trio!!!
Bruce Molsky - master of oldtime fiddle, banjo and more
Ozark Highballers - oldtime string band from Arkansas! Bay Area debut
Sarah Kate Morgan - traditional singer from Kentucky - her dulcimer playing is amazing
Cajun Trio (Jimmy Breax, Blake Miller, Amelia Biere)
Aux Cajunals
WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow
Manning Mud Stompers
callers Susan Michaels, Connor Maguire
https://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org
Sept 2025
Fiddler's Jam 11am-5pm
music & street fair
Fiddletown CA (foothills, Amador County)
http://fiddletowncc.org/events/
Sept 19 2025 6pm-8pm
Alan Bond & Skedaddle
Redwood Cafe, Cotati
https://www.alanbondskedaddle.com/shows
Sept 27 2025 10:30am-5pm
Annual Fiddle & Bango (sic) Contest & Chili Cook-off
Columbia State Historic Park
https://www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com/events
https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27701
https://parks.ca.gov/columbiaevents
Sept 28-Oct 1 2025
JAMboree
Ruhstaller Farm, Dixon, CA
Sept 28 6pm - square dance - Evie Ladin calling with the Deep Thicket Dwellers
http://rivertunes.net/
https://ruhstallerfarm.com/events/
Sept 2025?
International Jug Band Festival
Ruhstaller Farm, Dixon, CA
https://ruhstallerfarm.com/events/
Tue Sep 30, 7:30pm
The Horsenecks
Santa Cruz house concert
concerts AT instantharmony.com
Oct 3-5 2025
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
Note that some stages are live-streamed
https://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/
Oct 4 2025 (typically 2nd weekend of October)
Santa Barbara Old-Time Fiddlers' Festival
Suzy & Eric Thompson, the Horsenecks, Clinton Davis Stringband, Skillet Licorice
Stow House, Goleta
http://fiddlersfestival.org/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOldTimeFiddlersConventionAndFestival/
Oct 2025
Old Time Campout at Lake Cachuma (about 30 mins from Goleta)
info: steveowens AT cox.net
Oct 2025
CBA Fall Campout
Lodi Grape Festival & Harvest Fairgrounds
413 East Lockeford Street, Lodi CA
https://californiabluegrass.org/fall-campout/home/
Oct 10-12 2025
Old Growth Oldtime
Seattle
https://oldgrowtholdtime.org/
https://www.facebook.com/OldGrowthOldtime
October 16-20 2025
Strawberry Music Festival
Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley
https://strawberrymusic.com/
Oct 17-19 2025 (formerly in June)
Redwood Music Camp
Monte Toyon, Aptos
https://www.communitymusicschool.org/redwood-music-camp
Sun Oct 19 2025
El Cerrito Free Folk Festival
El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane El Cerrito
https://elcerritofreefolkfestival.org/
Oct 23-26 2025
Walker Creek Music Camp
Greg & Jere Canote, Molly Tenenbaum, Annie Staninec, others
https://walkercreekmusiccamp.org/
Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Banjo Gathering (usually includes an online option)
Chapel Hill/Carrboro NC
https://banjogathering.weebly.com/
Oct 2025 12pm-50pm
Annual Harvest Home: A Festival of Traditional Americana Music
River Center Fresno
on the San Joaquin River
https://www.riverparkway.org/
https://www.riverparkway.org/activities/parties-on-the-parkway/
https://www.visitfresnocounty.org/
Nov 1 2025 8pm
3rd Annual Lord of the Rings Halloween Square Dance
Ashkenaz
https://evieladin.com/events/
Nov 2 2025 5:30pm-8:30pm
Evie Ladin & Alisa Rose
Cato's Ale House, Oakland
https://evieladin.com/events/
Nov 7-9 2025
Dare to be Square West
Ashkenez & Starry Plough, Berkeley
https://www.daretobesquarewest.com/
Nov 2025 (typically 2nd weekend of November)
California Bluegrass Reunion
https://billevansbanjo.com/schedule.php
Nov 15 2025
Evie Ladin Band
Winters Opera House, Winters
https://evieladin.com/events/
Dec 30 2025 -Jan 4 2026
Camp New Harmony
SF Folk Music Club
Camp Newman (near Santa Rosa)
https://www.sffmc.org
Jan 16-18 2026
Dulcimoon Virtual Dulcimer Festival
Workshops, Concerts, kids events, etc
https://dulcimoon.com
January 15-18 2026 (MLK weekend)
Portland Old-Time Music Gathering
https://bubbaville.org/gathering/
old website: http://www.bubbaguitar.com/gathering/
https://www.facebook.com/portland.gathering
Feb 2026 (1st weekend of Feb)
Virtual Lark
https://www.virtuallark.org/
Feb 13 2026
Dom Flemons
The Freight, Berkeley
https://www.theamericansongster.com/theamericansongstertour
Feb 21 2026 3pm
Evie Ladin Band
Otter Opry, Monterey
Feb 2026 (Presidents Day Weekend)
Olympia Old-Time Music Festival, Olympia WA
dances, concerts, workshops, jamming
http://olyoldtime.weebly.com/
Feb 19-22 2026
Wintergrass, Bellevue WA
https://wintergrass.com/
March 2026 (1st full weekend in March)
Southwest Old Time String Band Gathering
Hacienda Program Center (Girl scout camp)
Tucson, AZ
http://swotgathering.com
Spring 2026
Spring Harmony Online
https://www.sffmc.org
Spring 2026?
Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Spring Situation
http://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org
Sat Mar 2026 (typically 2nd Sat of March)
Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival Sebastopol
Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick (celebrating 60 years together);
Lonesome Ace Stringband; Broken Compass Bluegrass; Late For the Train; Manning Music Youth Bands; more
https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/sonoma-festival/
https://socofoso.com/sonoma-county-bluegrass-folk-festival-2025/
March 2026?
Annual Lark Traditional Arts Fundraising Concert and Jam Sessions
Ashkenaz in Berkeley, CA.
https://www.larktraditionalarts.org/
2025: https://www.ashkenaz.com/full-calendar#/events/127380
March 19-20 2026
Rhiannon Giddens & the Silkroad Ensemble
Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall
https://calperformances.org/events/2025-26/illuminations-exile-sanctuary/silkroad-ensemble-with-rhiannon-giddens-sanctuary-the-power-of-resonance-and-ritual/
April 2026
Fiddle Hell online.
Recordings available for 4 months
https://www.fiddlehell.org/
April 2026
Epicenter contra dance weekend
Mill Valley
http://www.nbcds.org
April 2026
CBA Spring Campout
combined with California State Old Time Fiddle Contest
Lodi Grape Festival Fairgrounds, Lodi
https://californiabluegrass.org/california-bluegrass-events/
April 2026
Walker Creek Music Camp - bluegrass, old time, and more
West Marin (between Novato & Marshall)
https://walkercreekmusiccamp.org/
email: info AT walkercreekmusiccamp.org
April 2026 (typically 4th Sunday of April)
San Francisco Festival of the Mandolins
Croatian American Cultural Center
60 Onondaga Ave San Francisco, CA 94112
http://croatianamericanweb.org
https://www.facebook.com/sfmandofest
April 2026
JAMboree
Ruhstaller Farm, Dixon, CA
http://rivertunes.net/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RiverTunes/
https://ruhstallerfarm.com/events/
May 2026?
Berkeley Bluegrass Festival
Freight
2025: https://secure.thefreight.org/overview/14665
https://www.facebook.com/events/882131460758695/
May 2026?
Old Time Campout at Lake Cachuma (near Goleta/Santa Barbara)
info: steveowens AT cox.net
May 2026
Julian Family Fiddle Camp (a CBA event)
https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/julian-family-fiddle-camp/
May 2026
Parkfield Bluegrass Festival
Mother's Day Weekend
arrive on Wed to get a good camp spot
https://parkfieldbluegrass.org/
May 2026?
Sierra Grass Fest
Ahwahnee, CA
https://www.sierragrass.com/
May 2026 Noon-4pm
Fresno World Fiddle Day
Sponsored by the Fresno Folklore Society
First Congregational Church, 2131 N Van Ness Blvd Fresno
2024: https://www.facebook.com/events/404397362560175
presented by Fresno Folklore Society https://www.facebook.com/FresnoFolkloreSociety
https://www.fresnofolklore.net
Videos from previous Fiddle Days can be found at
https://cmac.tv/?s=fiddle&post_type=show
Also viewable on a Roku player (add the CMAC channel)
May 2026
California Autoharp Gathering
St. Nicolas Ranch, Dunlap CA
https://calautoharp.com/
May 2026 (typically same weekend as Topanga Contest)
LA Old Time Social
jams, workshops, square dance
Los Angeles, CA
http://losangelesoldtimesocial.com
https://www.facebook.com/losangelesoldtimesocial
May 2026 (typically 3rd Sun in May)
Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest
Agoura Hills, CA
http://www.topangabanjofiddle.org/
May 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Strawberry Spring Music Festival
Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley
https://strawberrymusic.com/
May 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Northwest Folklife, Seattle
https://nwfolklife.org/festival/
May 2026 (Memorial Day weekend) 12pm-8:30pm
SF Folk Club Gathering
typically Cedar Rose Park
https://www.sffmc.org/
May 2026?
The Grand Dalles Music Festival
old time camping/pickers festival
The Dalles, OR
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573551219447
also subscribe to https://groups.io/g/oldtimeseattle
May 2026? 1pm-5pm
Berkeley Dulcimer Reunion
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists
1606 Bonita Ave Berkeley
deborahj AT djhamouris.com
June 2026
Colorado Roots Music Camp
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, Divide CO
2025: https://www.rmmc.org/roots/camp-1/
https://www.facebook.com/corootsmusiccamp
June 1-6, June 8-13 2025
Montana Fiddle Camp
Chirps Smith, Bruce Molsky, John Reischman, Tim O'Brien, Joe Newberry, others
Monarch MT
https://www.montanafiddlecamp.org/
June 2026?
TransTrad
Olympia WA
https://www.transtradfest.org/
June 2026 10am-9pm
World Music & Dance Day
Occidental Center for the Arts
2025: https://www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org/upcoming-events/third-annual-world-music-dance-day
June 2026
CBA Music Camp
Grass Valley
(Sun-Wed before CBA Fathers Day Festival)
https://californiabluegrass.org/summer_music_camp/smc-home/
June 2026
CBA Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival
Grass Valley
https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/fathers-day-festival/
Jun 2026
Sierra Fiddle Camp
Nevada City
http://www.sierrafiddlecamp.org/
June 2026
Redwood Music Teen Camp
Monte Toyon, Aptos
https://www.communitymusicschool.org/redwood-music-teen-camp4
Sat June 2026? 11:30am-6pm FREE
SF Bluegrass & Old Time Festival
Salesforce Park SF
2025: https://www.facebook.com/events/662044339925929/
June 2026
Stickerville (Weiser Friends of the Fiddle) campout
Weiser ID
The (mostly) old time campout at Stickerville starts earlier than
the fiddle contest.
http://www.stickerville.org/
June 2026 (3rd full week of June)
National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest & Festival
Weiser, ID
http://www.fiddlecontest.com/
June 2026
BACDS Family Week Camp
Monte Toyon (Aptos, near Santa Cruz)
https://www.bacds.org/familyweek
June 2026
Big Sur Fiddle Camp
https://www.bigsurfiddlecamp.org/
June 2026
Voice Works (vocal workshop week)
Port Townsend WA
https://centrum.org/program/voice-works/
June 28 to July 03, 2026
BACDS American Week Camp
Quaker Center, Ben Lomond (Santa Cruz mountains)
https://www.bacds.org
https://amweek.camp/
June - July 2026
Festival of American Fiddle Tunes
Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend WA
https://centrum.org/program/fiddle-tunes/
June-July 2026
"Mule Barn Camp"
Jefferson County Fairgrounds (next to Fort Worden)
concurrent with Fiddle Tunes
Port Townsend WA
http://www.mulebarncamp.com/
July 2026 (4th of July weekend)
SF Folk Club campout
Camp Herms, El Cerrito
https://www.sffmc.org/
July 2026
NimbleFingers Bluegrass & Old-Time Workshop
Sorrento BC
http://www.nimblefingers.ca
https://www.facebook.com/nimblefingersmusic/
July 2026?
Shasta String Celebration
Weed concert
hosted by Tristan & Tashina Clarridge
http://www.summerstringsummit.com
July 2026 11am-6pm
SF Free Folk Festival - concerts, workshops, dancing
Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, SF
http://www.sffolkfest.org/
July 2026
West Marin Fiddle Camp
Commonweal Gardens in Bolinas, CA
Riley Baugus, Rachel Baiman, George Jackson, Sarah Savoy, David Thiessen, Jesse Fichman, Mason Via, Duncan Wickle, Elise Leavy
https://www.westmarinfiddlecamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/westmarinfiddlecamp
PENDING OR DEFUNCT
==================
The following have been not resumed post-COVID (or at least I could not find any info about their current status), but keeping them around for informational purposes.
Willamette Valley Old-Time Social
Eugene OR
https://mudcityoldtime.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MudCityOldTime/
May (Memorial Day Weekend) - last happened 2023?
Hickstival (in memory of Pete Hicks)
Bolade Park, Tres Pinos (near Gilroy)
2023: https://www.facebook.com/events/697579328406431
July
Annual Rocky Mountain Old-Time Music Festival (CROMA)
Colorado (searching for a new venue since 2022)
http://www.theCROMA.org
July
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp
http://www.rmfiddle.com
Sept (Labor Day) Noon-4pm
Ladies Banjo Society of California Labor Day Picnic
the usual place
Bring and take your own everything.
Sept Noon-4pm
Barn Dance
Garin Apple Festival
Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, Hayward
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/garin
Nov
Kauai Old Time Gathering
Kokee Lodge
https://www.kauaioldtime.com/
Nov - Veterans Day Weekend
Pozo Saloon Oldtime Music Gathering
Pozo CA
Unlikley to happen again, as the Saloon has changed hands
https://www.facebook.com/pozosaloonoldtimegathering/
https://pozooldtime.com
===========================================
ONGOING ONLINE EVENTS:
======================
* This Facebook group and its associated Google calendar is a good resource for online jams (Zoom jams, where one person leads while everyone else mutes; old time & Irish)
Old Time Open Jams
https://www.facebook.com/groups/390588871395459
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r?cid=MGQzY2thZXZxcjQ1dGVscWl0dWxiYTZpcmNAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ
* old time Zoom jam (formerly the Andronico's Zoom jam, now under different leadership)
even Tuesdays 7pm-8:30pm
Contact John Sweet at jrs AT johnrsweet.com.
* Freight classes online (Evie Ladin, Erik Hoffman, etc). Some classes have resumed in person.
https://thefreight.org/learn-to-play/classes/view-all-classes/
* Quarantine Happy Hour has ended, but all the videos are archived and available. An organized view of the archives is available at https://slowerthandirt.org/QHH/
* Charlie Walden & Patt Pluckett
https://www.youtube.com/charliewalden
* Whiskey Deaf (Annie Staninec & John Kael plus occasional guests) continue to stream on Facebook
(Muddy Rudder Down Home Music Hour) some Thursdays 7pm PT. Recordings of past sessions are available.
https://www.facebook.com/whiskeydeaf
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1131976880487340/media/videos
* Passim (Boston) - https://www.passim.org/live-music/
shows typically start at 5pm PT and are live-streamed only (no recording available)
Tickets for Live Stream go on sale starting about 1 or 2 weeks before the date.
* Abbie Weisenbloom house concerts in Portland OR are available as streamed. Previous concerts available on YT.
https://froggie.com/livestream/
ONLINE SPECIAL EVENTS:
======================
Feb 7-9 2025
Virtual Lark
https://www.larkcamp.org
March 7-9 2025
Spring Harmony Online
https://www.sffmc.org
Apr 3-6 2025
Fiddle Hell Online
https://fiddlehell.org/
===============================================
Other lists:
============
Peter Thompson's Bluegrass Signal event page:
http://www.bgsignal.com
especially listing of live jams that are starting up:
http://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
SF Folk Music Club calendar
https://www.sffmc.org/community-folk-calendar/
CDSS Events Calendar
https://www.cdss.org/community/events-calendar
General Resources:
==================
Slippery Hill - huge searchable collection of source recordings
https://www.slippery-hill.com/
OldTime Central - useful resource lists for fiddle, banjo, guitar, other articles
https://oldtime-central.com/
Mossy Roof - recordings & banjo tabs from the Seattle stringband class (taught by Greg & Jere Canote & Candy Goldman)
http://stringband.mossyroof.com/
===========================================
ONGOING SESSIONS:
EAST BAY:
third Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 pm beginning in January 2025
Old time jams at the Berkeley Public Library, Main Branch, 2090 Kittredge St. Art & Music Dept on 5th Floor
https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/old-time-tune-jam-hosted-berkeley-old-time-music-convention
Monthly 3rd Sat 4-6pm - Shred Sesh (Hosted ONION jam - groove-based intermediate session)
Starry Plough, Berkeley
check https://evieladin.com/events/ for dates.
The 1st, 3rd & 5th Thurs Berkeley contra dances are considered open band (unless there is a special band)
http://www.bacds.org
4th Sun 1:30pm-5pm (usually 2nd Sunday in December):
California State Old Time Fiddlers Association District 9
United Methodist Church 19806 Wisteria Ave. Castro Valley, CA
http://www.csotfa9.org/
SF:
* Old Time jam 2nd Friday 6:45 to 8:00 before the Feral Friday Square Dance
Polish Club 3040 22nd St @ Shotwell, SF
https://feralfridaysfsquaredance.com/
* 1st, 3rd & 5th Tues 7pm-10pm:
coffee shop at Andronico's (aka Safeway Community Market)
1200 Irving St (Funston between Lincoln & Irving) SF
For more information, contact Dinah Stroe at dinahbeatrice AT gmail.com.
* 4th Sunday 3pm-5:30pm
bring warm layers
Progressive Grounds Cafe, 400 Cortland St. in San Francisco's Bernal Heights.
Sarah Wilson bostonsw AT yahoo.com
* 2nd & 4th Fridays 7pm-10pm
SF Folk Music Club Old Time and Celtic session
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church 2097 Turk Boulevard (at Lyon Street) SF
https://www.sffmc.org/musical-meetings/
MARIN:
* old time jam 2nd Sat of month 11am-1pm
Rotary Valley Senior Village Community Center
10 Jeannette Prandi Way, San Rafael
park in Juvenile Hall Service Center (across the street from the Community Center)
more info: Pat Palmer 415-305-4250 everevolving AT earthlink.net
* old time jam 3rd Sunday of the month 1pm-3:30pm
Way Station, 2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Fairfax
BBQ and beer, a lovely outdoor patio. Bring your instrument, a chair, wear layers, sunscreen
For more information, contact Bruce Thompson at brucet01 AT att.net.
SONOMA COUNTY:
1st Sunday 3pm-5pm
Church of the Oaks 160 W Sierra Avenue Cotati, Ca
Leaders are Chris Carney, Janette Duncan, and Steve Delap.
For info, contact Janette Duncan janettefiddler AT gmail.com.
2nd Sunday 3pm
Redwood Cafe
8240 Old Redwood Hwy Cotati, CA 94931
Contact: heidi.chesney AT gmail.com
SOUTH BAY:
1st Sun 1-5pm::
Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association
summer: Rose Garden Park on Naglee
otherwise Hoover Middle School, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose 95126 corner of Naglee and Park
http://www.scvfa.org/ (http://www.fiddlers.org)
3rd Sunday 1pm
Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association
acoustic jam in various parks in the south bay & Santa Cruz
http://www.scvfa.org/ (http://www.fiddlers.org)
Old Time Monday 7-9 and Wednesday B'grass / Americana 7-9
Unitarian-Universalist Church 505 E. Charleston Rd.
South Bay Old Time <south-bay-old-time@googlegroups.com>
http://www.showman.org/jams/oti/index.htm
4th Sunday 1pm
Ocean View Park, Santa Cruz
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/santacruzjam
1st and 3rd Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm
Community Music School Teen Band (ages 12-19)
facilitated by John Weed
https://www.communitymusicschool.org/teenband
EAST:
* 1st Sunday (beginning Jan 5 2025) - 6:30pm-8pm
The Catalyst Arts & Wellness Studio 926 N. Yosemite, Stockton
StocktonOldTimeBluegrass AT gmail.com
1st Sundays 1pm-3pm - Ron Milner host, at the "UnChurch", Breese Rd, Grass Valley
2nd Sundays 1pm-3pm Margo Meredith host, Madelyn Helling Library, Nevada City. Margo usually teaches a tune to begin. All levels welcome.
3rd Sunday 3pm-5pm (usually) (moved from 3rd Sun 6/25) Wild Eye Pub 533 Mill St Grass Valley
hosted by Geff & Masha Crawford
https://www.wildeyepub.com/
Truckee & Reno oldtime and oldtime/bluegrass sessions:
See the event calendar for Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association
https://www.nnba.org/
and https://mountainmusicparlor.com/jams/
ONGOING PERFORMANCES:
=====================
Skillet Licorice with special guests play Happy Hour at the Page 298 Divisadero SF
every Tuesday 5pm
https://www.skilletlicorice.com/shows
* Bearcat Duo/Stringband Cato's, Oakland
occasional Sat of the month, 2pm-4pm
(and from there you can stick around for the Taco Jam at 5:30pm at Baja Taqueria)
http://www.bearcatstringband.com/schedule.html
* Taco Jam (invitational bluegrass jam)
Baja Taqueria (4070 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, California)
5:30pm to 7:30pm every Saturday.
https://jambot.org/JamBots/TacoJam/
* Tam Jam (invitational bluegrass & oldtime jam)
Taste of Rome 1000 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
every Sunday 6pm-8pm
one night a month is oldtime
https://jambot.org/JamBots/TamJam/
* Java Jam (invitational bluegrass jam)
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company (101 W Main St, Los Gatos, CA 95030)
07:00pm to 09:00pm every Thursday
https://jambot.org/JamBots/JavaJam/
* Grape Jam (invitational bluegrass jam)
Redwood Cafe (8240 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati CA)
06:00pm to 08:00pm on dates scheduled. usually a Wed 6pm-8pm
* Hop Jam (invitational bluegrass jam)
Hop Dogma Brewing Co.. (270 Capistrano Rd, STE 22, Half Moon Bay, CA)
06:00pm to 08:00pm on dates scheduled. typically Wed (except 1st Wed, which is Irish)
* Bluegrass in the Park - Clovis (near Fresno) - Free Friday night bluegrass/Americana concerts, May-July, September
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057522374894
* Bluegrass Sunday's at O'Reilly's (formally the Milk Bar) 1840 Haight St, San Francisco.
Bluegrass bands on Sundays from 6pm-8pm - Free.
* Bluegrass every Monday (open jam 6:30pm; performance 8:30pm) at Blondies 540 Valencia St, SF.
* Bluegrass every Thursday (open jam 5:30pm; performance 7pm) at The Liberties 998 Guerrero SF
ONGOING DANCES
==============
Feral Friday Square dance - 2nd Friday
Polish Club 3040 22nd St @ Shotwell, SF
https://www.facebook.com/FeralFourthFridayDance/
https://feralfridaysfsquaredance.com/
East Bay Square Dance - 3rd Friday
Hillside Club 2286 Cedar St Berkeley
check website for occasional changes to schedule or location
https://www.bacds.org/series/square/east-bay/
* Bike Church, Santa Cruz
https://www.ripandsnort.com/
CLASSES (Active)
================
* Freight classes are typically held in 6 week sessions. some online, some in person
see the current schedule at:
https://www.thefreight.org/learn-to-play/classes/
https://www.thefreight.org/learn-to-play/workshops/
instructors include:
Erik Hoffman - fiddle
Evie Ladin - banjo
Deborah Hamouris - dulcimer
Richard Brandenburg - guitar
* Oakland Public Conversatory of Music offers classes in black banjo taught Joe Johnson (Zoom) & Patrice Strahan of the Black Banjo & Fiddle Fellowship. They also offer banjo rentals.
https://opcclasses.squarespace.com/classes-events
* Old Time Music Class at the Community Music Center, Capp St, SF
with Tregar Otton and Erik Pearson
12 week session, every Monday 12pm-1pm
Winter Quarter runs January 6–March 31, 2025
To register, contact the Community Music Center at:
544 Capp Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415.647.6015
https://sfcmc.org/course/bluegrass-workshop-and-jam/
* Occidental Center for the Arts
David Pascoe leads a fiddle workshop
every 3rd Tuesday 7pm-9pm
https://www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org/
* Old Time String Band Class:
* Weekly string band classes are held in 6 week sessions on
Sunday afternoon at Lamorinda Music in Lafayette. We are planning to resume sometime in 2025.
Contact Harry at harry.liedstrand AT gmail.com for more information
and to be notified when the next session is scheduled.
The current instructors are Harry Liedstrand (fiddle), David Brown (banjo), and Cindy Liedstrand (guitar).
Instructors of previous series have included Allegra Yellin (guitar),
Jordan Ruyle or Heath Curdts (banjo), and Amy Hofer, Suzy Thompson,
Karen Celia Heil or Harry Liedstrand (fiddle).
* ONLINE INSTRUCTION
Suzy Thompson Fiddles at Four
4 week group sessions on Zoom; 2 sessions per week - Monday - a new tune is taught; Wed - deeper into the tune.
https://www.ericandsuzy.com/teaching.html
===========================
Local Bands:
============
Squirrelly Stringband:
http://squirrellystringband.com/
Crooked Jades:
http://www.crookedjades.com
Evie Ladin and Evie Ladin Band
The Propagators (Rowan McCallister, Michelle Yu, Evie Ladin, Keith Terry)
Clean Heat (Evie Ladin, Lila Goehring & Jody Richardson)
http://www.evieladin.com/
Skillet Licorice (Matt Knoth & Elise Engleberg)
http://www.skilletlicorice.com/
Knuckle Knockers
https://www.karenceliaheil.com/the-knuckle-knockers
Eric & Suzy Thompson, Thompsons' String Ticklers, Bluegrass Intentions,
Thompsonia, Blue Diamond Strings, etc.
http://www.ericandsuzy.com
Round Top String Band (house band for the East Bay Square Dance)
Nick Lofaro, Dan Kluger, Allegra Thompson, Rowan McCallister
Bearcat Stringband & Duo (Robin Fischer & Rowan McCallister)
http://www.bearcatstringband.com/
Robin Fischer
http://www.robinrfischer.com/
Rowan McCallister
http://www.rowanmccallistermusic.com
Karen Celia Heil
https://www.karenceliaheil.com
Alan Bond & Skedaddle
(Alan Bond-mando & guitar, Judy Forrest-guitar, Tom Lucas-banjo & fiddle, Bruce Lacey - bass)
https://www.alanbondskedaddle.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AlanBondAndSkedaddle/
New Vintage Revelers (Harry Liedstrand, Paul Kotapish, Dan Warrick)
https://www.facebook.com/NewVintageRevelers
Harry Liedstrand, Liedstrand Family, Dos Valley Trio
http://www.harryliedstrand.com or http://www.mtwow.com
Uncle Dave (Kathrine Gardner, Dave Courchaine, David Brown)
http://uncledavemusic.wordpress.com/
The Easy Winners
https://www.easywinners.band/
www.facebook.com/TheEasyWinners.mandolinandguitar/
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin
http://www.jodyandkate.com/
Ray Bierl
http://raybierl.com/
Crooked Holler String Band
(Chris Carney, Ernie Noyes, Mike Southworth, Evan Morgan)
http://www.carneyscorner.com/chsb.html
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100086499395251
Against The Grain
Sharon McCorkell, Susan Goodis, Ann Whitesell
Patti Bossert, Anita Baldwin
https://www.atgstringband.org/
Roadoilers:
http://www.roadoilers.com
Darling Clementine
Undone in Sorrow
http://undoneinsorrow.com/
Hook N Line Stringband (Thomas Angell, Chris Miller, Drew Congdon)
https://www.facebook.com/hooknlinestringband
Sons of Liberty (Santa Cruz)
http://sonsoflibertyoldtime.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Sonsoflibertyoldtime
The Baybillies
Worried Man String Band
https://www.facebook.com/pg/worriedmanstringband
https://soundcloud.com/worriedmanstringband
Craig Ventresco & Meredith Axelrod
http://www.craigventresco.com
http://meredithaxelrod.com
Rivertown Skifflers (jug band - Marin & Sonoma Counties)
http://www.rivertownskifflers.com/
Earl White String Band (formerly of Santa Cruz)
http://fiddlersjam.westcliffinc.com
http://fiddlersjam.com/
https://www.facebook.com/earlwhitestringband
Seabright Serenaders, Rhythm Rangellers, Paul & Emily
http://www.rhythmrangellers.com
Santa Cruz Percolators
http://www.santacruzpercolators.com/
Jubilee American Dance Theatre
http://sites.google.com/site/jubileedance/
Sacramento:
Piney Creek Weasels
Foothills:
Buffalo Gals West (Nevada City/Grass Valley)
https://www.facebook.com/Buffalo-Gals-West-190000911060192/
http://www.buffalogalswest.com
Grass Valley Stringband
http://davearlandfriends.homestead.com/
Ragged but Right (Grass Valley)
http://www.raggedbutright.us/ - website defunct
Old Soles (Geff & Masha Crawford)
http://www.OldSolesMusic.com
Orange Possum Special (Geff & Masha Crawford & John Hoffman)
http://www.OrangePossumSpecial.com
Central California and Valley:
Red Rag Andy Band (Fresno):
Andy Brown, Terry Barrett, Mark Olson, Penny Critchlow, and Barbara LaRae
Central & Southern California:
SLO County Stumblers
https://slocountystumblers.com/
Echo Mountain (Los Angeles)
https://www.facebook.com/echomtn/
Triple Chicken Foot (Los Angeles)
https://www.facebook.com/Triple-Chicken-Foot-182408557113/
https://oldtimeisagoodtime.com
Have More Fun Stringband (LA)
https://www.facebook.com/havemorefunstringband/
https://oldtimeisagoodtime.com
Modal Tease (Los Angeles)
https://www.ModalTease.com - website defunct
Brainstormers (Tom Sauber, Patrick Sauber, Mark Graham) (LA, Seattle)
Sausage Grinder (LA)
https://sausagegrindermusic.com/
Honeysuckle Possums (LA)
http://www.honeysucklepossums.com/
Defunct/Inactive bands:
Ragtime Skedaddlers
https://www.facebook.com/RagtimeSkedaddlers/
https://ragtimeskedaddlers.bandcamp.com/
Stairwell Sisters (2000-2013)
http://www.stairwellsisters.com
Organizations/List:
===================
OldtimeSF groups.io group
https://groups.io/g/oldtimeSF/
Santa Cruz Old Time Music Collective
https://www.facebook.com/scoldtimemusiccollective
Berkeley Oldtime Music Convention (BOTMC):
Sept & Spring
http://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/
Northern California Bluegrass Society
http://www.scbs.org/
California Bluegrass Association (CBA)
https://californiabluegrass.org/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/californiabluegrass/
California Bluegrass Association Music Camp (June)
http://www.cbamusiccamp.org/index.html
or https://californiabluegrass.org/summer_music_camp/smc-home/
https://www.facebook.com/cbamusiccamp
Walker Creek Music Camp (April & fall)
http://www.walkercreekmusiccamp.org
https://www.facebook.com/WalkerCreekMusicCamp
East Bay Square Dance
https://www.bacds.org/series/square/east-bay/
https://www.facebook.com/eastbaysquaredance
Bay Area Semi-Secret Squaredance Society
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Secretsquaredance
email semisecretsquaredance AT gmail.com
Hicks with Sticks (twang country)
http://www.hickswithsticks.com
Bay Area Country Dance Society (BACDS)
http://www.bacds.org
North Bay Country Dance Society
http://www.nbcds.org
San Francisco Bay Queer Contra Dance and Circle Left
http://www.lcfd.org/sf/
Consolidated California Contra Dance Schedule
http://www.contradancelinks.com/schedule_CA.html
Sacramento area contra dances
http://www.sactocds.org/
Santa Cruz contra dancing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/contrasantacruz
Monterey Country Dance Community
https://montereycontradance.org
San Francisco Free Folk Festival
http://www.sffolkfest.org/
El Cerrito Free Folk Festival
https://www.elcerritofreefolkfestival.org/
Shelby Ash Presents
http://www.shelbyashpresents.net/
Ladies Banjo Society of California
Storytelling Association of California
http://www.storysaac.org/
California State Old Time Fiddlers Association
http://www.csotfa.org/state/index.html
California State Old Time Fiddlers Association District 9 (Castro Valley)
http://www.csotfa9.org/
California State Old Time Fiddlers Association District 10
(Sonoma, Lake & Mendocino Counties)
http://www.csotfa10.org
Sonoma County Folk Society
http://www.socofoso.com/
Fiddling Cricket (concert series in the south bay)
http://www.fiddlingcricket.com
Wisteria Ways (house concert series in North Oakland)
http://wisteriaways.org/
Community Concerts/Creative Musical Alternatives
(concert series in Concord, Vallejo, Martinez, Antioch, etc)
http://www.communityconcerts.com
Brookdale Bluegrass Festival (Santa Cruz mountains)
http://brookdalebluegrass.com
Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association (Reno, Truckee etc)
https://www.nnba.org/
Venues:
=======
CENTRAL EAST BAY (Berkeley, Oakland, etc):
These venues are open (post-COVID):
The Freight 2020 Addison St. Berkeley
http://www.thefreight.org
The Back Room 1984 Bonita Ave Berkeley
http://backroommusic.com
Fifth Street Farms, Berkeley
http://www.fifthstfarms.com/
Ashkenaz 1317 San Pablo Ave Berkeley (at Gilman)
http://www.ashkenaz.com
Starry Plough
3101 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley (510)841-2082
http://www. starryploughpub. com/
Christ Church East Bay
2138 Cedar, Berkeley
BACDS dances
Hillside Club (Hillside Echoes Folk Music Series)
2286 Cedar St Berkeley
https://www.hillsideclub.org/
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/hillside-echoes-folk-music-series-1290099
Sláinte Irish pub
131 Broadway, Oakland
https://slainteoakland.com/
Cato's Ale House
3891 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 655-3349
http://www.catosalehouse.com
Niebyl Proctor Library
6501 Telegraph near Alcatraz Oakland
http://www.marxistlibr.org/
Jupiter Pub 2181 Shattuck Ave Berkeley
just south of Center St. and the BART station
http://www.jupiterbeer.com
Strings, Emeryville
http://www.strings.org/
Status of these venues to be determined:
Poplar Playhouse (Berkeley House Concerts)
https://www.facebook.com/PoplarPlayhouse/
Caffe Chiave
2500 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley CA (formerly Cafe Trieste)
4065 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
https://caffechiave.com
Pacific Coast Brewing Company
906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607
http://www.pacificcoastbrewing.com
Le Bateau Ivre Cafe/Restaurant
2629 Telegraph Avenue Berkeley California 510-849-1100
http://www.lebateauivre.net/
Aunt Mary's Cafe
4307 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
http://www.auntmaryscafe.com/
Humanist Hall, 309 27th St. Oakland (btwn Telegraph & Broadway)
http://www.humanisthall.net/ WEBSITE DEFUNCT
Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden
1223 Park Street Alameda, California 94501
http://juliestea.com/
Catahoula Cafe
12472 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond, California 94805
http://www.catahoulacoffee.com
SAN FRANCISCO:
These venues are open (post-COVID)
The Plough & Stars
116 Clement Street San Francisco (2nd Ave)
(415)751-1122
http://www.theploughandstars.com/
United Irish Cultural Center
2700 45th Ave, San Francisco
http://www.irishcentersf.org/
http://sf.ccewest.org
Lost Church
65 Capp St SF (near 16th St BART)
https://www.facebook.com/TheLostChurch/
http://www.thelostchurch.com/
The Riptide
3639 Taraval St. @ 47th, San Francisco
http://www.riptidesf.com
Croatian American Cultural Center
60 Onondaga Ave San Francisco, CA 94112
http://www.croatianamericanweb.org
The Lucky Horseshoe
453 Cortland St
(between Wool St & Andover St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Bluegrass on Sundays
Hotel Utah
500 Fourth Street San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 546-6300
https://hotelutah.com/
hosts a bluegrass jam on Tuesdays
SFJAZZ Center, Miner Auditorium
201 Franklin Street, San Francisco
http://www.sfjazz.org/events-calendar
Atlas Cafe
3049 20th St. San Francisco (20th St. @ Alabama)
phone: 415.648.1047
http://www.atlascafe.net
Bird & Beckett Books (Glen Park)
653 Chenery St., San Francisco
http://www.bird-beckett.com/
Status of these venues to be determined:
Driftwood
1225 Folsom St, San Francisco, California 94103
http://www.driftwoodbarsf.com/showCal.php
Velo Rouge Cafe
798 Arguello Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94118-4066 (415) 752-7216
http://www.velorougecafe.com WEBSITE DEFUNCT
Make-Out Room
3225 22nd St. SF (between Mission and Valencia)
415-647-2888
http://www.makeoutroom.com/
Red Hill Books Bennington & Cortland Bernal Heights San Francisco
415-648-5331
http://www.dogearedbooks.com/redhill/index.php
SoCha Cafe
3235 Mission Street at Valencia San Francisco, CA 94110
415-643-6848
http://www.myspace.com/sochacafe
International Cafe
508 Haight St San Francisco (Haight & Fillmore):
Charlie's Cafe 3202 Folsom St, SF
https://www.facebook.com/CharliesCafeSF/
Bazaar Cafe
5927 California Street San Francisco, CA (415) 831-5620
http://www.bazaarcafe.com
Bottom of the Hill. 1233 17th Street San Francisco (17th @ Missouri)
http://bottomofthehill.com
The Argus 3187 Mission San Francisco 415.824.1447 (at Valencia)
http://www.arguslounge.com/
Women's Building
3543 18th Street San Francisco
http://www.womensbuilding.org
Cafe Du Nord
2170 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 861-5016
http://www.cafedunord.com/
Hemlock Tavern 1131 Polk SF
http://www.hemlocktavern.com
Rickshaw Stop
155 Fell Street, San Francisco, California 94102
http://www.rickshawstop.com
OTHER EAST BAY:
Mighty Fine Guitars (next to Lamorinda Music)
85 Lafayette Circle Lafayette, California 94549
Phone 925.268.8226 (YAK.ANT.TACO)
http://www.mightyfineguitars.com
Devil Mountain Coffeehouse
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane Walnut Creek, CA
https://mduuc.org/news/devil-mountain-coffee-house/
Armando's
707 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA 94553
First Street Cafe
440 First Street Benicia
(707) 745-1400
http://www.firststcafe.com
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (Bankhead Theater)
2400 First Street, Livermore
http://livermoreperformingarts.org/
Mission Pizza, 1572 Washington Blvd. Fremont
510-651-6858
http://missionpizza.com
SOUTH OF SF:
Pacifica Performances
1220 Linda Mar Blvd Pacifica, CA 94044
http://pacificaperformances.org/
Cafe Zoë
1929 Menalto Ave Menlo Park, CA 94025
https://www.cafezoehub.com
The Woodshed at Keith Holland Guitars
16905 Roberts Road
Los Gatos, California 95035
408-395-0767
https://www.facebook.com/keithhollandguitars/
http://www.keithhollandguitars.com/events.html
SANTA CRUZ
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, CA
https://www.kuumbwajazz.org
Felton Music Hall
(formerly Flynn's Cabaret, Don Quixote's International Music Hall)
6275 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018
(831) 704-7113
https://feltonmusichall.com/
MARIN & SONOMA COUNTIES:
Sweetwater Music Hall
19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley, California 94941
http://www.sweetwatermusichall.com/
Lark Theater
549 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur 415 924-5111
http://www.larktheater.net
Schoenberg Guitars
106 Main St, Tiburon 415-789-0846
http://www.om28.com/
Peri's
29 Broadway, Fairfax
19 Broadway
19 Broadway Fairfax
http://www.19broadway.com/
Iron Springs Pub and Brewery
765 Center Boulevard Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 485-1005
http://ironspringspub.com/
Murphy's Irish Pub, 464 First Street East, Sonoma. (707) 935-0660.
http://www.sonomapub.com/
Hopmonk Novato
Hopmonk Sonoma
Hopmonk Sebastopol
Hopmonk Twin Oaks
https://www.hopmonk.com/livemusic
Lagunitas Taproom
1280 North McDowell Boulevard in Petaluma
http://www.lagunitas.com/taproom/index.html
Sebastopol Community Center
390 Morris, Sebastopol
Subud Hall
234 Hutchins Avenue Sebastopol
Redwood Cafe
8240 Old Redwood Hwy Cotati, CA 94931
https://www.facebook.com/redwoodcafe.cotati
https://www.redwoodcafe.com/ - website not working Dec 2023
Occidental Center for the Arts
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental, CA
(Bohemian Hwy & Graton Rd)
707-874-9392.
http://occidentalcenterforthearts.org/
Dance Palace Community Center
503 B Street Pt Reyes Station
415-663-1075
http://www.dancepalace.org
Rancho Nicasio
On the Town Square, Nicasio CA 94946
415-662-2219
http://ranchonicasio.com/
Farmstead Restaurant
738 Main Street, St. Helena, CA (707) 963-9181
http://www.longmeadowranch.com/Farmstead-Restaurant
CENTRAL VALLEY:
Open (post-COVID):
The Side Door @ Fifth String Music, 2900 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento
https://www.thesidedoor.net
https://www.facebook.com/Sidedoorproductions/
Watermelon Music, Davis
https://watermelonmusic.com/upcoming_event.php
Not open yet:
The Palms, Winters
http://palmsplayhouse.com/
RESOURCES:
==========
Local music stores:
--------------------
Gryphon Stringed Instruments, Palo Alto
https://www.gryphonstrings.com/
Lark in the Morning, Berkeley
https://larkinthemorning.com/
Timbre Folk & Baroque Instruments, Berkeley
https://timbrefolk.com/
Subway Guitars, Berkeley
http://www.fatdawg.com/
Marc Silber, Berkeley (by appt only)
http://www.marcsilbermusic.com/
John Mello, Kensington (by appt?)
https://www.johnfmello.com/
Ifshin Violins, El Cerrito
https://www.ifshinviolins.com
Rockin' Robbie's (formerly Music Works), El Cerrito & Concord
https://www.rockinrobbies.com/
Mountain Music, Oakland
https://www.mountainmusicstore.com/
Lamorinda Music, Lafayette
https://www.lamorindamusic.com
Mighty Fine Guitars, Lafayette
http://mightyfineguitars.com/
GSP – Guitar Solo SF
www.gspguitar.com
Real Guitars, SF
https://www.realguitars.com/
Schoenberg Guitars, Tiburon (Marin)
https://www.om28.com/
Amazing Grace Music, San Anselmo (Marin)
http://www.amazinggracemusicmarin.com/
Tall Toad Music, Petaluma
https://www.talltoadmusic.com/
People's Music, Sebastopol
https://www.peoplesmusic.com
Banana at Large, San Rafael & Santa Rosa
https://www.bananas.com
Danville Music, Danville
https://danvillemusic.com/
Watermelon Music, Davis
https://watermelonmusic.com/
Keith Holland Guitars, Los Gatos
http://www.keithhollandguitars.com/
Sylvan Music, Santa Cruz
https://www.sylvanmusic.com/
Guitar Center
Emeryville, SF, Concord, Dublin, San Mateo, San Jose, South San Jose
https://www.guitarcenter.com/
--------------------
Harmony list (SF Folk Music Club email list):
https://groups.io/g/harmony
CelticSF groups.io group:
https://groups.io/g/celticSF/
Quebecois music:
https://groups.io/g/QueTradSF
Bluegrass etc:
http://groups.io/g/bluegrassSF
http://groups.io/g/SFBayMando
Peter Thompson's Bluegrass Calendar:
send an email to bgsignal AT comcast.net to receive the monthly calendar,
or visit:
http://www.bgsignal.com
BACDS (Bay Area Country Dance Society) email lists
https://bacds.groups.io
Rip & Snort calendar (traditional old time square dances on the west coast)
https://www.ripandsnort.com
CBA Message Board:
http://www.cbaweb.org/MessageBoard
Bay Area Calendar of Cajun-Zydeco Dances
http://calendar10.tripod.com/
Oldtime music in Nevada City/Grass Valley
mountain-fiddlers Google Group
and
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sierraoldtime
Mud City Old-Time Society
Old-Time Music and Dance events in the South-Central Willamette Valley.
Eugene OR & vicinity
https://mudcityoldtime.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MudCityOldTime/
Oldtime Music in Seattle
https://groups.io/g/oldtimeseattle
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtimeseattle
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tractorsquares