| Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival | July 10-11 |
| 11:00-7:00 pm, City Hall Plaza, Hayward, CA. info: 510-836-2227, www.bayareabluessociety.net | |
| California Coast Music Camp | July 11-17, 18-24 |
| Two sessions. Placer County, CA. Small group instruction in singing, guitar, mandolin, bass, ukulele, voice, fiddle, banjo, pennywhistle, and songwriting in many styles: rock, folk, blues, bluegrass, old-time, swing, Celtic, jazz. Jams, song-circles, open mics, concerts, workshops, and dances. Well known teachers. Swimming, hiking, relaxing. info: www.musiccamp.org | |
| Humboldt Folklife Festival | July 17-24 |
| Locations in Arcata and Blue Lake, CA. Dances, Workshops, kids’ performances, Free All-Day Fest, Songwriters, Acoustic Jazz, Fiddle Fest, Bluegrass & Old Time, A Cappella. info: 707-822-5394, www.humboldtfolklife.org | |
| 10th Annual Redwood Dulcimer Day | July 24 |
| Boomeria, Bonny Doon, CA. Appalachian dulcimer workshops & jam. Special guest Rob Brereton: a pioneer in contemporary mountain dulcimer playing. Resident faculty: Neal Hellman, Janet Herman, Peter Tommerup, and Ron Beardslee. Faculty concert on July 23, in Aptos. info: Janet Herman 408-867-9762, www.folkplanet.com/dulcimerday | |
| Lark in the Morning Camp | July 30-August 7 |
| Mendocino, CA. Lark’s 30th year! Incredible lineup of instructors. Music and dance from the world over, parties, sessions, 24-hour jamming, great food, camping, fire circles, activities for all experience levels. info: www.larkcamp.com/ | |
| Puget Sound Guitar Workshop | July 31-Aug 20 |
| Bellingham, WA. (3 separate week-long sessions). Inspiration and instruction for acoustic musicians at all levels. info: 360-647-2979, www.psgw.org | |
| Country Roads Summer Music Camp | Aug 4-8 |
| Mount Madonna Country Park, Watsonville, CA. A family camp for all ages. Kids & adults join in sing-alongs and playing instruments. Crafts, jams, camp-fire sings and open-mic. Concert with Carolyn Hester and more. info: 408-379-4090, www.soundwestmusic.com | |
| Cazadero Perf. Arts Family Camp | Aug 9-15, 16-22 |
| Two separate sessions. Cazadero, CA. Program for kids, teens, and adults. Wide range of classes in music, art, drama and dance, storytelling, environmental art and crafts. Amazing staff. Delicious, local, seasonal food. Dorms, tent-cabins and tents. info: 510-658-3257, www.cazfamilycamp.org/ | |
| Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Fest | August 13-15 |
| Hollister, CA. Great lineup on two stages, camping, kids’ activities, open mic, jamming. info: 408-241-5920, www.scbs.org/events/gof/ | |
| 32nd Annual Intl. Musical Saw Festival | Aug 14-15 |
| Roaring Camp, Felton, & Santa Cruz, CA. FREE! Contest, workshops, open-mic, jams, potluck, all instruments. Bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, blues, classical, show tunes. Open jam: Sat. afternoon and eve.; Festival: Sun, 10:00 am-6:00 pm info: Morgan Cowin, 415-459-7722, www.sawplayers.org | |
| Choral Harmony Retreat | August 15-20 |
| Bishop’s Ranch, Sonoma County, CA. Sing Appalachian, sea chantey, southern gospel, contemporary sacred semi-classical. No audition; learn, rehearse and perform, explore your voice. Reserve space by July 1. info: 510-652-1298, www.lcarley.com | |
| Golden Old Time Campout | August 20-22 |
| Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville, CA. Three days of camping, workshops, jamming. Saturday night Square Dance. info: 707-829-8012, www.socofoso.org, www.cbaontheweb.org | |
| Women’s Hearts & Hands Guitar Camp | Aug 20-23 |
| Mendocino, CA. Guitar instruction for & by women. Beg.-Adv., Blues, Jazz, Fingerstyle, Celtic, Brazilian, Chord Theory, Alternate Tunings, Performance Opportunities. Delicious, nutritious catered meals. info: 415-669-7447, www.WomensHeartsAndHands.com | |
| 1st Annual West Coast Jug Band Jubilee | August 21 |
| Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA. Two shows: 12:30-5:00 pm and 8:00-11:00 pm. Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Jug Band, Skiffle Symphony with Kenny Hall, Devin’s Jug Band, Jugtown Pirates, Kally Price Blues & Jazz Combo, The Barking Spiders, Maria Muldaur and Her Garden of Joy Jug Band. info: 510-684-2020, Freight & Salvage | |
| Cotati Accordion Festival | August 21-22 |
| La Plaza Park, Cotati, CA. Accordion in every culture. Food, drink, dancing. info: 707-664-0444, www.cotatifest.com | |
| Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention | Sept 8-12 |
| Venues in Berkeley, CA: Freight & Salvage, Farmer’s Mkt., Ashkenaz & more. Alice Gerrard, Kenny Hall & the Sweetsmill String Band, Del Ray & Suzy Thompson and many more. Concerts, workshops, square dance, youth showcase, jamming and more. info: www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/ | |
| American Banjo Camp | September 10-12 |
| Fort Flagler, WA. New, optional extra day! Learn old-time or bluegrass banjo with world-class instructors. Demonstrations, hands-on classes, faculty concerts, jamming. info: www.langston.com/ABC/ | |
| Delta Blues Festival | September 18 |
| 12:00-7:30 pm, Antioch, CA. FREE. Music, food, arts and crafts. info: 925-698-8024, www.deltabluesfestival.com | |
| Sebastopol Celtic Festival | September 24-26 |
| Community Center, Sebastopol, CA. Concerts, workshops, jams. Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Lunasa, Karan Casey & John Doyle, Le Vent du Nord, Solas, April Verch Band, Sandy Silva, Jimmy Keane, and more. info: 707-829-7067, www.cumuluspresents.com/celtic/ | |
| BACDS Fall Frolick Weekend | October 15-17 |
| Monte Toyon, Aptos, CA. Primarily English country and display (morris/sword, etc) dance, music and singing. info: www.bacds.org/fw | |