Burlington, NC, June 2, 2011 -- It's hard to complain about going to five old-time jams in two states in one month and the Mount Airy Old-Time Fiddlers Convention the next.

In Dallas, where I live, we now have old time jams on the first and third Sundays of every month 2:00-4:30 p.m. in the print shop at Dallas Heritage Village, a city-owned historical park.  (Ya'll come.) That's thanks to Dean Barber (BHO -- FretlessinTexas)  who moved to Texas from Alabama, stirred things up and got it organized.  It's been a great success.  That accounts for two of my May jams.

The North Texas Traditional Dance Society holds two jams most months, now, too.  A fast jam for fiddle tunes (1st Sunday, 1-3 p.m.) and a slow jam for Irish tunes (2nd Sunday, 1-3 p.m.). Contact Sheila Bellows for details (newfietex@aol.com).  I've been to several of the fast jams, but didn't make it in May.

I'm visiting my Dad in Burlington, NC.  I've been to three jams with my Durham/Chapel Hill/Raleigh/Greensboro/etc.   friends (including BHOer oldwoodchuckb) in Durham and Saxapahaw. The Saxapahaw jam was held in the Haw Rievr Ball Room, an old textile dying plant which has been converted into a performance venue/ballroom. We're hoping it will become a regular calendar entry.

But wait, there's more.  Coming up is a one-day trip (June 4) to the Mount Airy Old-Time Fiddlers Convention. (Only one day because of my bad planning.) And, there are tentative plans for another old-timejam at the Haw River Ball Room on June 5. (probably 7 p.m. if it happens). 

Ain't music fun?

Dan Gibson, Storyteller/Banjoplayer

Dallas, TX; Burlington, NC

www.dangibson.net