ACOUSTIC JAMS & DANCES IN NORTHERN CA - Updated June 19, 2008
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Regarding the use of the information on this website. While I don't mind the info to be used for publicity purposes, please use the following guidelines:
1) Please check this website for the VERY LATEST VERSION of the listing your are using. I am constantly updating my information, as changes often occur.
2) Please contact event organizers and participants for their permission and latest updates BEFORE including their event info in any printed matter. While I can easily make corrections/deletions to my website info, erroneous info that has been printed is PERMANENT!  Thank you!

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CONTRA & SQUARE DANCES IN NORTHERN CA: I have added square and contra dances to this page, since they feature acoustic music.
SECOND SATURDAY (usually): ARCATA - CONTRA DANCE at Arcata Veteran's Hall (14th & J Streets) and other locations. All dances are taught. No need to bring a partner. Admission is $6/Humboldt Folklife Society members, $7/general and free for children under 14 and seniors. More info, for time, or to confirm: call Larry Levine at 707-822-7190.

SECOND & FOURTH SUNDAYS: CHICO - CONTRA DANCES at Chico Women's Club (3rd & Pine) 6-9:30pm. Lesson at 5:30pm. Caller is Mark Goodwin. Live band. All dances are taught. No need to bring a partner. Admission is $7/members (cost $12/year to join), $8/adults, half price/teens & first timers, and free/children 12 & under. Dances on 4th Sundays may have visiting callers. More info: call Mark or Grace at 877-2930. No dances during summer!

FOOTHILL COUNTRY DANCERS: Schedule of Contra dances in GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA CITY area (YOLO COUNTY).

MENDOCINO ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCES: Dances at Caspar Community Center in MENDOCINO. 

NORTH BAY COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY: Calendar includes SONOMA and MARIN COUNTY dances in SANTA ROSA, SONOMA, SAN RAFAEL, SEBASTOPOL, CALISTOGA, and UKIAH.

PUBLIC JAMS, OPEN MIKES, & SONG CIRCLES IN NORTHERN CA: Trinity, Humboldt, Shasta, Tehama, and Butte counties - about 3 or less hours driving distance from Trinity County. Trinity County events are in bold.
Please email me or call 628-4579, if you want to know about any planned (or help to plan) upcoming open jams in public (or private) locations.

HAYFORK - AN ACOUSTIC JAM was held on AUG 12, 2007 at Northern Delights Coffee Shop 12noon-3pm. We had 7 musicians, and a decent audience turnout, considering that Sunday is their slowest day. Musicians that attended are interested in another jam, but I have been busy playing and have not planned one. Northern Delights serves yummy panini sandwiches, bagels, salads, soups, etc, plus very good coffee and espresso drinks. More info or to be notified about future jams: call Rachel at 628-4579 (jam organizer) or email Rachel or call Dennis at Northern Delights at 530-628-5246.

Open invitation to folk musicians of Butte County: Augie's Fine Coffee & Tea has an excellent place for you to get your chops down. Write them via email, or come by and see manager, Wayne Humbert, who can set you up. They offer a free place to play to the public, and if you're good, they will set up concerts for later in year. In the meantime, pay your dues at Augie's. Summer hours until 6pm, in the Fall back to evenings. Submitted by Peter Hansen, President of Augie's Inc., 230 Salem Street, Chico, CA 95928. More info: call 530-894-7409 or 530-894-3764.;

DATABASE OF FOLK JAM SESSIONS connected to Google maps.

WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS: REDDING - SHASTA BLUES SOCIETY BLUES JAM at Lulu's (Pine at Cypress Street) 6:30-10pm. More info: click on links.

FIRST THURSDAY: BLUEGRASS JAM at The Freshwater Grange at 7pm. The first hour, from 7-8 pm, is open to any level of bluegrass player. After 8pm, jam will progress to an advanced player's circle. People who are still developing their playing and singing skills will be welcome to stay and listen (instead of participating) during later set. The Freshwater Grange is located at 49 Grange Road in Freshwater, near Garfield School, just a few miles up Freshwater Road from 3 Corners. More info: call Judy at 707-443-4258.

FIRST THURSDAY: CHICO - MIDNIGHT BLUES SOCIETY OPEN JAM at On the Rocks Lounge inside Chico Holiday Inn 7-11pm. More info: call 916-894-7540. FREE Note: This event is temporarily suspended!

FIRST THURSDAY: ARCATA - SONG CIRCLE at Arcata Community Center at 7:30pm. Hosted by Joel Sonenshein. Humboldt Folklife Society event. FREE.

FIRST & THIRD SATURDAYS: HYAMPOM - BLUEGRASS BARBECUE/JAVA JAM atCommunity Hall (cold months) or Riversong Village (warm months) starting at 7pm (?). Acoustic jam and open mike. Hotdogs, soda, turkey and veggie burgers, chips, and desserts. More info: call Alexis Johansing or Kenny Breeze in Hyampom.

FIRST SATURDAY: CHICO - FOLK & AMERICANA ACOUSTIC JAM at Upper Crust Bakery (130 Main Street) 2-5pm. Sponsored by Butte Folk Music Society. Everyone welcome (including children) to come play music, share songs, sing-along and get acquainted with others who love folk music and Americana. Everyone has fun, even the listeners!

FIRST SUNDAY: RED BLUFF - BLACKTOP BLUES SOCIETY JAM at West Side Grange Hall. More info: call 530-384-1109. Note: Event is suspended, while they look for a new venue to continue event!

FIRST SUNDAY (October - June): (OLD) SHASTA (NEAR REDDING) - DISTRICT 6 CA STATE OLD TIME FIDDLER'S ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP & ACOUSTIC JAM SESSION at Shasta Union Elementary School (10446 Red Bluff Road). Workshop at 1pm. Jamming 2-5pm. Monthly Jam Sessions are all about fiddling (and picking) around with Old-time jigs, reels, hoedowns, waltzes and tunes of choice. Beginners, intermediate and advanced players of all ages come and learn new songs, have fun with old friends and make new friends. Acoustic non-fiddlers welcome. More info: call Lee Brushett: 243-4772. Google Map to Jam location.

FIRST SUNDAY: CHICO - NORTHERN CA HARP RING meets at various homes in Chico. Anyone who plays any kind of harp, or is interested in learning to play the harp, is welcome. More info: call Janice at 530-893-8026.

SECOND THURSDAY: CHICO - OPEN MIKE BLUEGRASS JAM (sponsored by California Bluegrass Association) at Augie's Cafe (230 Salem, 530-894-7409) 6:30pm-? Come play or come listen. More info: call John Senior at 530-877-1768 or Sid Lewis at 530-894-2526.

SECOND SATURDAY: COHASSET - OPEN MIKE & JAM at Cohasset Community Building 7-10:30pm. All welcome to come participate and/or listen. Food & beverages for sale on site.

SECOND SUNDAY: EUREKA - CELTIC MUSIC SESSION at Gallagher's Irish Restaurant & Pub (Old Town area) 7-9:30pm. Host is Seabury Gould with Scatter the Mud as the core group. It's an open session so people are invited to bring instruments and voices (or just come and listen) for the sharing of "mostly Irish/Celtic tunes and some songs". Humboldt Folklife Society event. More info: 707-845-8167. FREE  Updated 1/13/08.

THIRD WEDNESDAY: ARCATA - SONG CIRCLE WITH SEABURY GOULD at Arcata Library Conference Room (500 7th Street) at 7:30pm. Bring your voices and songs to this monthly gathering for singing together! Many of you know Seabury from his work with children - but this circle, while for people of all ages, is geared for adults. More info: call Seabury at 707-845-8167. More info or to confirm location: 707-845-8167  FREE

THIRD FRIDAY: CHICO - EDUCATIONAL ACOUSTIC JAM & SHOWCASE at 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace (off of Bruce Road) 10:30am-12noon. Play, sing, listen and learn about the music of our life. A short presentation about music history or information would be welcomed. Showcase performances are asked to be kept to 10 minutes. Open to residents of The Terraces, seniors, Butte Folk Music Society members and guests. More info: call Bernie or Bob at 530-894-6854.

THIRD SATURDAY: CHICO - OLD TIME MUSIC JAM at Augie's Cafe (230 Salem, 530-894-7409) 2pm-4pm. Hosted by Michael Springer, old time fiddler. Encouraging those who play clawhammer banjo, fiddle, or guitar to come participate. Of course listeners are always welcome. FREE

FOURTH SUNDAY: OROVILLE - DISTRICT 1 OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION OPEN MIKE & JAM at Thermalito Grange Hall (479 Plumas Avenue) 1-4:30pm. Membership encouraged but you don't have to be a member to join in or come listen. More info: call 530-589-5841 or Bob Hedrick at 530-589-4844.

In regards to musical learning, I try to follow the Three P's:
PRACTICE: By yourself
PLAY: With others at jams sessions
PERFORM: On stage alone or with others. 

I do all of the above and they all help in different ways. Practicing at home gives you time to slowly work out the correct way to play something, with no one there to make you nervous. You can play a sticky spot over and over until it get smooth, practice scales, etc. Playing with others teaches you to do more than one thing at once: play your part, listen to the other musicians, and learn the basics of performing without the pressure of the stage. It is a supportive place to improvise and try new licks and songs, yet you still have to keep playing if you mess up, so you learn to "think on your feet". Performing on stage has different functions for different people. For some it is the "gravy", finally being on stage. For others, like me, it is something I do to give back to the community. Plus, by scaring myself on stage, I am no longer nervous in most jam sessions, which is truly my favorite place to be! - Rachel

THE TEN JAMMANDMENTS:
I. Thou Shalt Tune Thy Instrument.
~ Electronic tuners make this easy. 

II. Thou Shalt Keep Steady Rhythm.
~ Count beats if necessary.

III. Thou Shalt Take Turns Choosing Songs.
~Announce the key. Vocalists always choose their key.
~ Choose a song you can complete.

IV. Thou Shalt Not Speed.
~ Start songs at a reasonable tempo. Speed up according to abilities.

V. Thou Shalt Signal Who Has The Solo.
~ Follow a pattern when taking solo leads.

VI. Thou Shalt Listen To Others.
~ If you can't hear the lead, consider yourself too loud.

VII. Thou Shalt Welcome Others.
~ Include everyone in your jam. Help everyone sound as good as they can.

VIII. Thou Shalt Not Steal Other Musicians From An Active Jam.
~With time, players move around anyway.

IX. Thou Shalt Try New Material.
~ Original & different tunes are OK occasionally.

X. Thou Shalt Be Considerate Of Pickers.
~ Explain when you're rehearsing, not jamming. Help beginners.