Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention @Central

Stringband Contest, Jams, Panels, & Family Concert

As part of the annual, weekend-long Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention, the string contest, family concert, jam sessions, and panel discussions will take place all day throughout the Central Library.

In partnership with Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention (BOTMC), Berkeley Public Library is thrilled to host a series of musical programs throughout the Central Library on Saturday, September 20th. Historically, the library has hosted the Children's Concert in our 4th Floor Children's Room. Starting in 2024, the library began hosting a full day of programming in collaboration with BOTMC, including the legendary string band contest, open jam sessions, and discussion panels and forums. Additionally, the library hosts a monthly Old-Time Tune Jam hosted by Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention in the 5th Floor Art & Music area.

For information regarding signups for the String Band Contest, click here: https://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/contest

For details on performers and presenters, and the schedule for the entire 2025 Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention, please visit the BOTMC website here.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• 10:15-11:00am (4th Floor Children's Nonfiction Room): Family Concert with WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow
• 10:30-11:30am (2nd Floor Mystery Room): Panel Discussion "Black Old-Time Musicians: Perspective" with Jake Blount (moderator), Angela Wellman, Darcy Ford-James, and Patrice Strahan
• 12pm-4pm (2nd Floor Mystery Room): String Band Contest | Manning Music Fiddlers (students at Manning Music, some as young as 4!) will open the contest
• 2pm-3pm (5th Floor Art & Music): Old-Time Tune Jam with Darcy Ford-James, Patrice Strahan & Hannah Mayree

* The 5th Floor Art & Music area will be available for BOTMC use for jam sessions and string band contest participant warm-ups between 12-4pm

And don't miss the monthly Old-Time Tune Jam hosted at the Central Library earlier this same week, on Tuesday, September 16th, 5:30-7:30pm.

ABOUT BERKELEY OLD-TIME MUSIC CONVENTION

The Berkeley Old Time Music Convention is a five-day music festival featuring performances by local and national acts, a rollicking square dance, open cabaret, and the illustrious stringband contest, in venues throughout Berkeley.

The first stringband contest was held in Provo Park in 1968. It was called the 35th Annual. The following year the 17th Annual was held and 22nd Annual the year after that. These contests were put on by a loose-knit group of volunteers, musicians organizing a good time for themselves, other musicians and the public.

Visit their website to learn more!

Upcoming Events