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May11-12, 2012

Attention Heritage Music & Fans of Good Times & Folks...This weekend, May 11th & 12th, The Georgia String Band Festival returns, just a short hour from Atlanta or Chattanooga, in Calhoun GA, home of Andrew and Jim Baxter, The Georgia Yellow Hammers, mysterious Blues Man Will Bennett and at least one Skillet Licker (banjo-man Fate Norris). 
Their great creative energy resonates here until yet, especially with like-minded individuals showing up!

Friday Night is a FREE program at the Harris Arts Center , downtown Calhoun, with Frank Lee of 'The Freight Hoppers',
joined by none other than Mick Kinney, of 'The Georgia Crackers', along with special guest, starting at 8PM.
Come early and enjoy the wonderful Smithsonian 'New Harmonies' exhibit, running at Harris Arts Center, celebrating our rich roots music heritage, also free.

Saturday brings The Gordon County Fiddlers Convention (est. 1924), at NW Georgia Fairgrounds, starting at Noon. Based on traditional competitions in fiddle, banjo, buck dancing and singing, this event draws the finest musicians in the SE, who vie for generous cash prizes and medal-ribbons.

Arts and Food Vendors will be present, as well as innumerable jams about the grounds. Camping is provided @ $10 per tent/site, $20 for electric.There is a large barn with hay and numerous covered out-buildings, as well as the covered pavilion for competitions, so this is a rain-or-shine event.

Last year was a blast, and more than one Clifftop veteran remarked that it was all the quality music, without the crushing crowds. Come celebrate this essential and enduring heritage music in the cradle of it's pioneering development. ALL the greats came here to compete and play, and so should you!

Details: www.harrisartscenter.com/2012-georgia-string-band-festival-may-12/

May 27, 2012

The Teetotalers

A night of blissful Irish music and song at Eddie's Attic in Decatur.

Martin Hayes, fiddle, viola; Kevin Crawford, flute, whistles, bodhran; John Doyle, vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandala.

See Eddie's Attic for details.

June 8-10, 2012

Midwest Banjo Camp 2012

Midwest Banjo Camp is committed to offering highly specialized classes with subjects tailored to the expertise of our faculty. Most of our classes are "hands-on," meaning that teachers have a set of skills or a tune or two in mind to impart, and that students should have their instruments in hand during class. Classes focus on: Old-time Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo,
Fiddle Track (old-time & bluegrass), Guitar Track, and Other classes: Bluegrass Mandolin, bass, Banjo Maintenance & Repair, more.

This Camp is outside the Atlanta Area but offers a great experience, anyway! Check it out...

Dates: June 8-10, 2012
Place: Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan
Times: Check-in opens 11 AM on Friday; June 8; Camp ends 2:30 PM on Sunday, June 10
Optional: Join Us for the MBC "Pre-Camp" beginning late afternoon on June 7
Website: www.midwestbanjocamp.com

July 7, 2012

20th Annual Christian Harmony Shape-Note Singing at John C. Campbell Folk School

Please bring Christian Harmony song books and a covered dish to share. The Folk School will supply coffee, iced tea, ice, plates, cups and plastic utensils. A few copies of the Christian Harmony song books will be available to borrow at the singing.

Originally published in 1866, William Walker's Christian Harmony is the oldest seven shape collection to have remained in continuous use, primarily in Western North Carolina and North Georgia. The Folk School's annual singing draws more than 70 singers from four states.

July 07, 2012, 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Pot luck "Dinner On the Grounds" 12:30 pm
Admission to the singing is free.
Location: Music Studio, Davidson Hall
More Informaion: www.folkschool.org/event.php?event_type_id=4&event_id=14

Anna Shearouse
John C. Campbell Folk School
One Folk School Road
Brasstown, NC 28902
828-837-2775 x 196
marketing@folkschool.org

Sunday evenings

The Old Tucker Fountain is a restaurant/soda fountain in downtown Tucker, on Main Street.  Old Tucker Fountain has regular weekly Bluegrass concerts featuring local talent at 6 pm on Sundays, with a Bluegrass jam session at 7 pm until 8 pm. Directions and contacts here: www.sebabluegrass.org/members/detail.php?id=1664

Thursdays

The Red Light Cafe - Bluegrass Thursdays feature bluegrass acts starting at 9 PM. There's a locals' jam at 7 PM -- all are welcome, bring your instruments. 553 Amsterdam Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306-3416 
(404) 874-7828 www.redlightcafe.com/

Various events throughout the week

Eddie's Attic -   This is a great listening room!  Eddie also has a good kitchen.... 
If you want to see your favorite musician in an intimate setting, this is the place! 
See www.eddiesattic.com 

Mondays

Jazz and Blues in Stone Mountain Village every Monday night at 7 p.m.
The Wells Cargo Restaurant on Main Street in Stone Mountain Village hosts Jazz & Blues bands every Monday. Hilda and Lynn Wells, owners and managers of Wells Cargo, will offer warm Southern hospitality, food and drink from their menu and lots of ambiance for the events.

The performers for the premier event will be "The BA Project" band which plays around Atlanta at all types of venues and can provide any style of musical entertainment. The band has been organized for eight years and is composed of some of the area's finest musicians. Charles "Buzz" Alford is the leader of the band.   

There will be a small cover charge for the special every Monday night Jazz and Blues events.  
For more information on "Monday Night Jazz & Blues" please contact Jack Sartain: jbs5951@aol.com or Wells Cargo Restaurant: (770) 469-0400, 953 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Alternate Thursdays

Musical Bookings at the Decatur Library - 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur.  7 - 8 pm show, doors open 6:30.  Free. Contact Gina W. Jenkins at 4404-370-3070 ext. 2008.  Alternate Thursday evenings.  See www.dekalblibrary.org/component/option,com_events for information. 

First Fridays and other days

Savannah Folk Music Society in Savannah, GA.  Folk music each Friday with a wide and exciting range of events scheduled several times a month. Dances, concerts and more . Call 912-786-6953 or see the main website here: www.savannahfolk.org and the full scheduling of events here: www.savannahfolk.org/schedule.htm

Big shows & small events all the time

Crimson Moon's Cafe in Dahlonega - The Southeast's Most Intimate Music Venue.

Live Acoustic Music and Creative Southern Heritage Cuisine with
Full Service Dining, a Coffee House, Breakfast on the Weekends, and Fresh Air Dining from the Porch of The Half Moon Saloon. All in the C.1858 Parker-Nix Storehouse, Dahlonega's 2nd Oldest Building!

Where You Will Find...
* Homemade Deserts & Baked Goodies
* A Fun and Comfortable Atmosphere - with Free WiFi
* Nationally Touring Artists & the Best of Local Talent on Stage
* Lots of Deliciously Healthy, Vegetarian, & Seriously Southern Menu Items
* Organic, Shade-Grown, & Fair Trade Coffees & Teas
* The Perfect Place for Your Private Party or Event!
* A Variety of Brews & Wines by the Glass
And The Creative Spirit Shines!

Check out the good website at: www.THECRIMSONMOON.com for a listing of Shows, Events, and other musical happenings. Ther's something happening almost every night!

For more information, contact Dana LaChance at gigs@thecrimsonmoon.com or call her at 404.374.1026. The Crimson Moon Café is located at 24 North Park St., Ste. A, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Saturdays April 21 - October 13, 2012

Dahlonega Appalachian Jam

North Georgia's mountain music pickers and singers flock to the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site for the 2011 Dahlonega Appalachian Jam. The Jam is scheduled for April 21 through October 13, 2012. Listeners and musicians alike enjoy the acoustic bluegrass and old time string music on the Public Square from 2 pm until 5 pm every Saturday.
For information, contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-864-3513, or Joel Cordle at 706-864-6133.

Web: http://www.dahlonegadda.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dahlonega-Appalachian-Jam/171743822844784?v=info

4th Fridays Folk / Traditional concerts / jams

Friday evening jam session from 7-9 pm at The Old Tucker Fountain. Bring your instruments and voices for a 2 hour jam session that encompasses an eclectic mix of acoustic music, including blues, Old Time Appalachian, '60's folk, Celtic, ragtime, bluegrass, contemporary singer-songwriter selections, and whatever strikes your fancy. This monthly event is sponsored by AAFFM on the 4th Friday of every month. These events will take various forms, depending upon the AAFFM 'host' that month. Whatever form, these are lots of fun. Bring an instrument and maybe even some songs to share at the jam or song circle.

Please note that this is a restaurant, and buying refreshments is highly encouraged!!! The Old Tucker Fountain is located at 2329 Main Street, in downtown Tucker, GA (NE Atlanta). Barbecue, sandwiches, desserts including homemade icecream, Brunswick stew, smoked chicken, and other good food items are available for sale, so bring your appetite as well.

4th Friday night of every month at 7 -9 pm - located at 2329 Main Street,Tucker, GA. More info on the Old Tucker Fountain is here: Fountain

Monthly

“Acoustics at Oak’s End” Concert Series – Smyrna-Vinings area.  FAI-licensed house concert venue.  Various performers – monthly.  Concerts begin at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7 pm.  $15 donation per person, all proceeds to the artists.  Coffee, tea, water, chips provided.  Kitchen available, BYOB, shared snacks welcome. Handicap access.  For information contact Gregg or Shirley Averett: ghaverett@charter.net ; 770.971.6696.  RSVP required.  Upcoming performer info:  aaffm.org/Events/AAFFMEvents/tabid/87/Default.aspx

First Fridays and other days

Savannah Folk Music Society in Savannah, GA.  Folk music each Friday with a wide and exciting range of events scheduled several times a month. Dances, concerts and more . Something is happening all the time! Call 912-786-6953 or see www.savannahfolk.org and the full scheduling of events here: www.savannahfolk.org/schedule.htm

Monthly

Upcoming sings:
Check Elise's WebSite

"Glorious Impromptu Chorus". Decatur, GA. A monthly community sing led by Elise Witt. Low-pressure, High-pleasure! Elise will lead an evening of glorious group singing, teaching in a style so easy that, before you know it, the room is in perfect harmony!

Drawing from her love of diverse melodies and rhythms, Elise may introduce a Brazilian samba, a Congolese storysong, an Italian round, or four-part harmonies from Zimbabwe. There are lots of songs in English, including songs from the African American tradition, quirky rounds, food songs, Bobby McFerrin style Circle Songs, and lots more!. All of the songs are broken down into easily learnable parts and become thrilling to sing in a group. If you've been wanting to sing with Elise, but can't commit to a weekly class, this is perfect for you. Come once or come once a month. Spread the word! And if you're a regular, feel free to make requests! Whether you've sung all your life or think you "can't carry a tune in a bucket," in no time at all, you'll find yourself part of a Glorious Impromptu Chorus. Singers of all abilities, styles, and experience welcome. No music reading required.

Join us at Atlanta Shambala Center, 1447 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Cost: $10 payable at the door
Info: (404) 297-8398 www.EliseWitt.com
Directions: www.atlantashambhalacenter.org

First Fridays

Pine Lake First Friday Concerts. Pine Lake, GA. Pine Lake is a quaint city located between Decatur and Tucker. The concerts are events that take place in the beachhouse on the First Friday of every month. Music performances begin at 8pm. Pine Lake will have goodies (coffee, soda, water, Beer and wine) for a cheap price. There is $5 donation at the door. See pinelakega.com/arts-culture/first-friday/. for Schedule of Performers and Directions.

First Wednesdays

Freight Room Reunion Jam @ Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA. - 8:00 p.m. until ---

Freight Room Reunion Jam @ Eddie's Attic. This jam is in honor of some of the marvelous playing that went on at the Freight Room, along the tracks in Decatur. In its day, the Freight Room was the gathering place for acoustic musicians local, national, and international. So much great music happened there, planned and unplanned.

For musicians, the event is FREE. For listeners the fee is $5 (a small price to pay for an evening of good music!). Doors open at 6:30 and the restaurant is open for dinner and snacks. An invitation is being extended to all acoustic players in the community to come and enjoy on and offstage picking. Onstage jamming is first come, first served, and a house band is available for anyone that doesn't have an ensemble but would like to play onstage. Music should be within the category of Acoustic.

Questions? Leah Calvert leahcalvert@gmail.com. 515-B McDonough St., Decatur GA 30030, (404) 377-4976, www.EddiesAttic.com

2nd Saturdays

Lena's Place Coffeehouse - Atlanta’s longest continually-running monthly coffee house, putting on a show every 2nd Saturday of every month since 1984. Wow!

Doors open at 7:30 pm, music begins at 8. Central Congregational Church, 2676 Clairmont Road, Atlanta. $5 donation requested; proceeds to local charities. Smoke-free. Wheelchair accessible. Info: 404-633-4505, or see www.lenasplacecoffeehouse.com.

2nd or 4th Thursdays

Catacombs Coffeehouse- 2nd or 4th Thursday of each month - 7:30 pm. A place for adults to gather and enjoy each other's company. Home baked treats, coffee, espresso and café mochas made with love. Musicians, singers, songwriters entertaining with their craft. Artists creating, teaching, sharing, and selling their work. Speakers edifying and entertaining. Sharing celebrations and sorrows. In other words, fun, food, and fellowship!

Mt.  Carmel United Methodist Church, 5100 South Old Peachtree Rd., Norcross, GA 30092. 
See www.mtcarmel-umc.org/ for more information.  

Saturdays as announced

Universal Sensations Coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett,
12 Bethesda Church Rd, Lawrenceville, GA.  7:30 pm, Saturdays as announced. 
See uucg.org/. 

First Saturdays

Hungry Ear Coffeehouse    Northwest Unitarian Church.  The Hungry Ear Coffee House is also a monthly food drive.  Please show your generosity by bringing non-perishable foods such as soups, tuna, crackers or grocery store gift cards. 7 PM, $5 donation nwuuc.org/index/programs/hungry_ear_coffee_house

See web for schedule

Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association - Cajun and Zydeco dance enthusiasts who want to keep the music of Louisiana alive and thriving in Atlanta have joyfully formed the Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association. Everybody loves a party! And what better way to “Let the Good Times Roll” than with a Cajun two-step or a Zydeco syncopated slide? If you play well with others and are looking for the chance to get your groove on, this is the place for you. Details: www.aczadance.org/

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS POST 660, 2620 Buford Highway NE. Atlanta 30324 www.kofc660.org/

April 19 - 21, 2013

Bear On The Square - If you’re a fan of old-time, bluegrass and gospel music from the Southern Appalachian region, the 17th annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega, Ga., will be the place to be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 19-21. Check the web site www.bearonthesquare.org/ for listings of the extensive events, performers, and activities....

July - August, 2012

Swannanoa Gathering

Every summer musicians gather near Asheville, NC, for a week long camp for a wonderful musical education. Come see what it's all about...

Dates for the 2012 Swannanoa Gathering:

• July 8-14 – Traditional Song Week
• July 15-21 – Celtic Week
• July 22-28 – Old-Time Week
• July 29-Aug. 4 – Guitar Week & Contemporary Folk Week
• Aug. 5-11 – NEW!! Mando/Banjo Week & Fiddle Week

More information here: http://www.swangathering.com

January 3-5, 2013

New Year's Bluegrass Festival - Jekyll Island, GA. 37th Annual Festival. Jekyll Island Historic District Meeting Campus Pavilions. Details here: www.aandabluegrass.com/Festivals.html

Various events

Savannah Folk Music Society in Savannah, GA.   Folk music each Friday with a wide and exciting range of events scheduled several times a month. Dances, concerts and more . Something is happening all the time! Call 912-786-6953 or see www.savannahfolk.org and the full scheduling of events here: www.savannahfolk.org/schedule.htm

Various events

Acoustics at Oak’s End - House Concerts - Various performers -Please visit our website for details and late breaking news.... www.cruisewomen.com/acousticsatoaksend.htm

Concert series/location is “Acoustics at Oak’s End”—50-seat, FAI-licensed, performance auditorium; Smyrna/Vinings area in NW Atlanta, convenient to I-285. $15 suggested donation (all goes to performer). Call Gregg or Shirley Averett at 770-971-6696(h) or email: ghaverett@charter.net for RSVP and directions. Street parking at END or LEFT side only.

Bring comfortable socks or slippers and plan to leave shoes outside (carpeted). Handicap access. Basic refreshments provided. BYOB. Shared snacks welcome. Buffet/warming tray counter and full kitchen facilities available.

Post-performance jamming welcome.

Various events

Bowman House Concert Series - Various performers - See FaceBook for more information about the concert series, or contact Art Bowman: bowmanhouseconcerts@gmail.com; 770.979.1314
Bowman House Concert Series http://www.facebook.com/bowmanhouseconcertseries
Doors open at 7 p.m. -- BYOB and a dish to share
Donation: $20/person (all proceeds to the artists) - Reservations required
Hosts: Art & Nance Bowman - h: 770.979.1314; w: 770.972.0783; c: 770.826.3297


Our 2012 schedule features Randall Bramblett (Feb. 18), Gretchen Peters (May 5), Eliza Gilkyson (June 15), Keith Sykes (Sept. 22), Shake Russell (Oct. 13) and Tommy Womack (Nov. 17)

Our 2011 schedule featured Slaid Cleaves and Michael O'Connor, Walt Wilkins, Kevin Welch, Elizabeth Cook and Will Kimbrough..

Concerts begin at 8:00 pm, doors open at 7pm, at 323 Wilcrest Drive SW, Lawrenceville, GA 30044-5253 - BYOB and a dish to share. $20 donation per person, all proceeds to the artists.  Reservations required.

Various events

Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University in Downtown Atlanta.  See www.rialtocenter.org, or call 404-413-9TIX.  Free Parking.