Jams

Find a Jam and Pick Some Tunes

legion jam photo

Looking for a place to play with others?

These jams are open to the public, but musical tastes and etiquette vary from place to place.

Events are weekly unless noted. A call or email may be advisable before your first visit, especially to check holiday and weather schedules.

This calendar is powered by community-provided information. We apologize for any errors in the list, please let us know of any changes.

Please add a jam or let us know about changes. Click the button below, or send info to Matt Jensen

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Friday

Irish-Celtic,
Advanced
TIME: 6:00pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

The Dubliner Pub,
2162 University Ave,
St Paul

CONTACT:

Tom
Quinn,
tom.quinn@me.com

NOTES:

Friday

Bluegrass,
Intermediate
TIME: 6:00pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

American Legion #234,
3751 Minnehaha Ave,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Dan
Soneson,
dan.soneson@gmail.com

NOTES:

Monday

   2nd/month

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 11:00am –
12:00am

LOCATION:

Lifehouse Coffee,
306 Barclay Ave,
Pine River

CONTACT:

Dick
Kimmel,
kimmel@newulmtel.net

NOTES:

Monday

   2nd+4th/month

Bluegrass,
Beginner/intermediate
TIME: 7:00pm –
9:00pm

LOCATION:

Torg Brewing,
8421 University Ave NE,
Spring Lake Park

CONTACT:

Tom
Kleinert,
teekaymn@gmail.com

NOTES:

Monday

   3rd/month

Eclectic,
All Levels
TIME: 6:30pm –
9:30pm

LOCATION:

Utepils Brewing,
225 Thomas Ave N,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Al
Boyce,
alboyce@comcast.net

NOTES:

Monday

   Monthly on the 2nd Monday

Bluegrass, Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 5:30pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

Swing Barrel Brewing Company,
814 Center Ave,
Moorhead, MN

CONTACT:

Nic
Bordwell,
Nic@swingbarrelbrew.com

NOTES:

Sunday

   1st/month

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 4:00pm –
6:00pm

LOCATION:

Ken's Korner,
918 W 6th Street,
Sioux Falls, SD

CONTACT:

Ted
Weiland,
soofoobloograss@gmail.com

NOTES:

Sunday

Old-Time,
Beginner
TIME: 1:00pm –
3:00pm

LOCATION:

Mocha Monkey,
115 S Olive St,
Waconia

CONTACT:

David
Strei,
dave.strei@gmail.com

NOTES:

Sunday

Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 1:00pm –
3:00pm

LOCATION:

Downtown Park Bandshell,
Fridley

CONTACT:

Steve
Braden,
revsbb91@gmail.com

NOTES:

Sunday

Irish-Celtic,
Beginner/intermediate
TIME: 4:00pm –
6:00pm

LOCATION:

Center for Irish Music,
836 Prior Ave N,
St. Paul

CONTACT:

Pat
Lyles,
lyles1981@gmail.com

NOTES:

Sunday

Irish-Celtic,
Advanced
TIME: 6:00pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

Center for Irish Music,
836 Prior Ave N,
St. Paul

CONTACT:

John
McCormick,
johnmcc1431@yahoo.com

NOTES:

Sunday

   Monthly on the first Sunday

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 4:05pm –
6:00pm

LOCATION:

Ken’s Corner,
918 W 6th Street,
Sioux Falls,SD

CONTACT:

Ted
Weiland,
SooFooBloograss@gmail.com

NOTES:

Jam is open to like minded individuals who want to have fun

Tuesday

Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 6:00pm –
7:30pm

LOCATION:

Edgcumbe Recreation Center,
320 Griggs St S,
St. Paul

CONTACT:

Michael
Sawyer,
minnesotafiddle@yahoo.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 6:00pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

American Legion #234,
3751 Minnehaha Ave,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Matt
Jensen,
mattjensen1@gmail.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

Eclectic,
All Levels
TIME: 7:00pm –
10:00pm

LOCATION:

Books for Africa,
717 Prior Ave N,
St. Paul

CONTACT:

Roger
Anderson,
roger.dd.anderson@gmail.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

   1st/month

Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 2:00pm –
12:00am

LOCATION:

Spiral Brewery,
111 2nd St E,
Hastings

CONTACT:

David
Vincent,
dvincentmando@gmail.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

   1st+3rd/month

Old-Time,
Beginner/intermediate
TIME: 5:00pm –
12:00am

LOCATION:

Padraigs Brewery,
945 Broadway St NE,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Caleb
Hall,
chall0919@gmail.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

   1st+3rd/month

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 7:00pm –
12:00am

LOCATION:

Hayes Public House & Taproom,
112 1st St,
Buffalo

CONTACT:

Carl
Brakob,
hayespublichouse@gmail.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

   3rd/month

Related-Genres,
All Levels
TIME: 7:00pm –
8:30pm

LOCATION:

Hot Spot Music,
801 Division St S,
Northfield

CONTACT:

Helen
Forsythe,
hlnfrsth@gmail.com

NOTES:

Tuesday

   Every Tuesday

Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 6:00pm –

LOCATION:

210 Gallery and Art Center,
210 Commercial Ave. N,
Sandstone

CONTACT:

Fred
Keller,
whistlepigmando@gmail.com

NOTES:

Saturday

   1st/month

Old-Time,
Beginner
TIME: 2:00pm –
4:00pm

LOCATION:

Urban Forage Winery,
3016 East Lake St,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Matt
Jensen,
mattjensen1@gmail.com

NOTES:

Saturday

   3rd/month

Irish-Celtic,
Beginner
TIME: 2:00pm –
4:00pm

LOCATION:

Urban Forage Winery,
3016 East Lake St,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Matt
Jensen,
mattjensen1@gmail.com

NOTES:

Saturday

Old-Time,
Intermediate/advanced
TIME: 9:30am –
11:30am

LOCATION:

Mim’s Cafe,
1435 Cleveland Ave N,
St Paul

CONTACT:

Robin
Fox,
foxqx001@umn.edu

NOTES:

Saturday

   2nd/month

Irish-Celtic,
All Levels
TIME: 12:00pm –
2:00pm

LOCATION:

Merlin's Rest,
3601 East Lake St,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Russell
Lane,
lbps.minnesota@gmail.com

NOTES:

Saturday

   2nd+4th/month

Irish-Celtic,
Intermediate
TIME: 4:00pm –
6:00pm

LOCATION:

Urban Forage Winery,
3016 East Lake St,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Julia
Nerbonne,
jnerbonne@gmail.com

NOTES:

Saturday

   1st+3rd/month

Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 5:00pm –
7:00pm

LOCATION:

Duluth Folk School,
1917 W Superior St,
Duluth

CONTACT:

,
info@duluthfolkschool.org

NOTES:

Saturday

   1st+3rd/month

Cajun,
All Levels
TIME: 10:00am –
12:00pm

LOCATION:

Showtime Studio,
2700 Lexington Ave. N,
Roseville

CONTACT:

Doug
Lohman,
douglohman@aol.com

NOTES:

Saturday

   2nd+4th/month

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 10:00am –
12:00pm

LOCATION:

Showtime Studio,
2700 Lexington Ave. N,
Roseville

CONTACT:

Matt
Sieberg,
matthewsieberg.ms@gmail.com

NOTES:

Saturday

   Every third Saturday

Bluegrass, Old-Time, Folk, Ukulele, Other,
All Levels
TIME: 6:00pm –
9:00pm

LOCATION:

The Imprompt,
100 s 1st st,
Cornell, WI

CONTACT:

Marlee
Agner,
Marleeagner@theimprompt.com

NOTES:

Thursday

   1st+3rd/month

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 1:00pm –
3:00pm

LOCATION:

The Crossings at Brookwood,
6125 Lilac Dr N,
Brooklyn Center

CONTACT:

John
LaPlante,
johnrlaplante@gmail.com

NOTES:

Thursday

Irish-Celtic,
All Levels
TIME: 7:00pm –
9:00pm

LOCATION:

Sir Benedicts Tavern,
805 E Superior St,
Duluth

CONTACT:

Josh
Stotts,
josh@sir-bens.com

NOTES:

Thursday

Scandinavian,
All Levels
TIME: 7:00pm –
9:00pm

LOCATION:

Contented Cow,
302B Division Street South,
Northfield

CONTACT:

Mark
Heiman,
info@northernroots.org, northernroots.org

NOTES:

Thursday

   Monthly on the 2nd and 4th Thursday

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 6:30pm –
8:30pm

LOCATION:

Saint Francis United Methodist Church,
3914 - 229th Avenue NW,
Saint Francis

CONTACT:

Mel
Eliason,
MLE0451@MSN.COM

NOTES:

Thursday

   1st and 3rd Thursday every month

Bluegrass, Eclectic,
Any Level
TIME: 6:00pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

Torg Brewing,
8241 University Ave NE,
Spring Lake Park

CONTACT:

Dean
Alley,
dizzean@gmail.com

NOTES:

Wednesday

   3rd/month

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 6:00pm –
12:00am

LOCATION:

Union Congregational Church,
401 Lake Ave,
Hackensack

CONTACT:

Dick
Kimmel,
kimmel@newulmtel.net

NOTES:

Wednesday

Bluegrass,
Beginner
TIME: 6:00pm –
8:00pm

LOCATION:

American Legion #234,
3751 Minnehaha Ave,
Minneapolis

CONTACT:

Matt
Jensen,
mattjensen1@gmail.com

NOTES:

Wednesday

Bluegrass,
All Levels
TIME: 7:00pm –
9:00pm

LOCATION:

Sir Benedicts Tavern,
805 E Superior St,
Duluth

CONTACT:

Josh
Stotts,
josh@sir-bens.com

NOTES:

Wednesday

Old-Time,
All Levels
TIME: 1:00pm –
3:00pm

LOCATION:

Black Water Café,
5159 US-12,
Maple Plain

CONTACT:

Eugene
Willms,
gene.willms@gmail.com

NOTES:

Wednesday

   Every Wednesday

All Genres,
All Levels
TIME: 2:00pm –
4:00pm

LOCATION:

American Legion,
328 Broadway Ave,
St Paul Park

CONTACT:

Doug
Chasar,
dchasar@att.net

NOTES:

Please email me if you'd like to receive my weekly Jam Status Notification each Monday. Occasionally we have to shift to Tuesday if the Legion books an event on our regular day.

Saturday, Sunday

   Whenever we can fit it in! We send out an email by Wed or Thursday the week of.

Bluegrass, Folk, Old-Time,
Beginner, Contact for an Invitation
TIME: 10:00am –
12:00pm

LOCATION:

Please contact for location

CONTACT:

Jake
Wagner,
Winterwagners@gmail.com

NOTES:

Kids welcome to come play (instruments or toys) while family members jam. We’re just trying to have a hobby while navigating this parenting thing. Everyone in the jam is used to being interrupted mid-song by “mom! Dad! Look at this!”. Rotating space- in winter we’ve got toys and coloring, in warm weather we like to play at a park. Come as a total beginner, we’ll get you started. Current kids of the fam jam are ages toddler-9. Come join the village!

Camping Pass Pricing

Camping Pass Prices are determined by the day you Arrive at the festival.

Day Parking Pricing & Policies

DAY ATTENDANCE POLICIES

  • Cars, trucks, and vans with people attending the Festival for a single day pay for parking in the Day Parking lot.
  • There is no limit to the number of people who may arrive in a single vehicle (commercial buses or vans excluded).
  • Parking passes are sold by the day. Purchase for the day you intend to go to the festival.
  • You may not use a Parking Pass from any day but the day it was purchased for.
  • Vehicles must be removed by 12:00 midnight, or be subject to tagging and/or towing.
  • Everyone age 13 and over will be required wear a wristband at all times on the Festival grounds for the day you are there. 
  • Each person arriving in a vehicle being left in Day Parking will receive a wristband indicating they are at the Festival for that day.
  • You may leave and come back the same day and not pay an additional parking fee as long as at least one person in the vehicle has a wristband for that day. Everyone in the vehicle will receive a wristband upon re-checking in.
  • If you come back a different day, you will need to pay for an additional day of parking, and all passengers in the vehicle will get wristbands for the new day.
  • Camping is not allowed in the Day Parking area. 
  • Access to the Campgrounds is not allowed without a Camping Pass. 

Reserved Camping Details

Reserved Camping Sites must be purchased with Camping Passes. You may add a reserved site later, and you may add additional guests to your Reserved Site. 

  • The sites can have very specific size requirements. Please provide complete information about your vehicle when you make your reservation.
  • If you had a reserved site last year and select Utility Camping again, you will be assigned the same site that you had last year. 
    • Please note we will make every effort to place you in the site where you were last year but many factors can affect that option such as size of your rig and conditions of the site itself. We are unable to take specific site requests. 
    • If you need to change sites, please contact Sammie: info@minnesotabluegrass.org
  • If you did not have a site last year, you will be placed on the waiting list. If an appropriate site does not become available, you can change to Reserved Tent Camping or Rough Camping, and the difference will be refunded to you in July.
  • Only one Camper/RV will be allowed on each site and all campers/vehicles will be tagged. Untagged campers will be charged.
  • We assign sites based on the information you provide upon registration. If you decide to bring a larger size rig or different type camper than the one registered, your spot may not be available for you to use and your money will then be refunded. 
  • Every site is guaranteed 20 amp service. You can request a site with more amperage but it is not guaranteed. 
  • You will receive your campground assignment  by mail or email in June or July and you must bring the assignment with you to check in at the campground.

Showman & Coole

Through twenty-five years and thousands of shows together in bands such as The Foggy Hogtown Boys and The Lonesome Ace Stringband, John Showman and Chris Coole have developed a deep and instinctual musical bond. Their music lurks in a truly unique space that is somewhere on the outskirts of old-time, bluegrass, and folk. The songs of John Hartford, Hank Williams, Dock Boggs, and The Band share space with the fiddle tunes of Eck Robertson and Ed Haley. The duo’s original songs and tunes take in all these vistas and paint something both personal and timely. 

They have performed across North America and Europe at festivals such as Merlefest, Rockygrass, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Mariposa, Wintergrass, Gooikroots, and The John Hartford Memorial Festival. In 2022, the duo released two albums; “ Afield” a collection of old-time fiddle tunes, and  “Much Further Out than Inevitable – A Tribute to Some Music of John Hartford.” 

“John Showman has made his mark as “one of the very best and most influential fiddle players in Canada” (Steve Pritchard, CIUT 89.5 FM).

“Renowned for his clawhammer banjo picking, Coole now establishes himself as a gripping songwriter.”
(Roddy Campbell, Penguin Eggs Magazine)

Po’ Ramblin’ Boys

In 10 years as a band, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys have covered a lot of miles. Their love of bluegrass — playing it, sharing it, growing it — has been the fuel for their remarkable journey through every corner of America and into the hearts of fans drawn to their hard-charging, true-blue sound. “We live what we play and sing about,” says bandleader C.J. Lewandowski.

Indeed, the band has weathered their fair share of the highs and lows that bluegrass songs are known for (except for the murders, of course). They’ve been road-weary, longing for home. They’ve felt the heartbreak of band members leaving and embraced the joy of welcoming new ones. They’ve worked hard to see their dreams come true, playing on some of music’s most celebrated stages. And they’ve been nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album (2019’s Toil, Tears & Trouble) and for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award.

Amid all their travels, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys have seen every nook and cranny of the country, met people from all walks of life, and kept a keen eye toward the truth, which rings out loud and clear in the songs they write. “Wanderers Like Me,” the title track from their most recent album and the band’s first No. 1 song on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart, shoots straight from the heart: “Wanderers like me don’t settle down for no one / don’t mind being lonesome, chasing dreams is all I ever need.”

Lately, they’ve been chasing their dreams in a new configuration, one that expands the band’s age span and geographical roots. Guitarist John Gooding from California and fiddle player Max Silverstein from “the great bluegrass state of Maine,” as the band likes to say during onstage introductions, are the newest additions, both in their 20s. They join Lewandowski on mandolin, Jereme Brown on banjo, and Jasper Lorentzen on bass, relative elders in their 30s.

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys have always been known for barreling bluegrass forward, and as they move into their second decade as a band, they’re maintaining that momentum, both onstage and in the studio. 

T.H.U.G.

The Two Harbors Ukulele Group, affectionately known as T.H.U.G., was formed by Al Anderson in 2010. It has grown from five members to a performance group of sixteen and features soprano, concert, tenor, baritone and bass ukuleles, backed up by harmonica, melodica, drums and horns. The group plays a wide variety of music from 1920’s classics to ’60’s rock and roll to country music…yes, even some Frank Zappa music. Our group has played throughout Minnesota from Lanesboro to Grand Portage and will play almost 50 performances in 2023. We also host the Silver Creek International Ukulele Carnival in Two Harbors which is attended by over 300 ukulele players from over fifteen states and three provinces.

 

 

The Gated Community

The Gated Community is an Americana band with a nearly twenty year history. Formed in 2006 in Minneapolis’s storied West Bank neighborhood, the band is known for its gripping original songs, beautiful vocal harmonies, and multiple lead singers. Led by South Asian American singer/songwriter Sumanth Gopinath (aka Sonny), the band’s music is eclectic in style, encompassing country, folk, bluegrass, and rock. Born in Chicago and raised in Louisiana, Gopinath relocated to the Twin Cities in 2005, after stints in Texas and Connecticut. Current members have been in the band for a decade or more. Everyone in the band sings lead and plays multiple instruments. The band just released their sixth album, available on Bandcamp and all of the main streaming platforms. It was recently included in the Star-Tribune’s list of top 10 albums from Minnesota in 2025 thus far. 

Double Down Daredevils

The Double Down Daredevils are a 6-piece Bluegrass/Americana band that has been entertaining audiences around the region for 10 years now. 

The Daredevils put on a high-energy show that will have you tapping your feet, and leave you wanting more. They feature amazing harmonies on nearly every song from traditional bluegrass to a large and growing list of originals!

Uncle Muskrat

Uncle Muskrat is a five-piece string band from Minneapolis, MN. Through traditional bluegrass instrumentation and lush vocal harmonies, they put a unique modern spin on the sounds of the old, weird American folk songbook. With influences ranging from Dock Boggs to John Hartford to Billy Strings and beyond, their live performances across the upper midwest take audiences on a journey from the quiet of a mountain hollow through the swirling energy of the cosmic expanse with many familiar stops along the way. 

Praised for their musicianship, respect for tradition, and ability to stretch the boundaries of traditional acoustic music, Uncle Muskrat delivers what your muskrat’s uncle never could!

Last Pick’d String Band

The band met at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor “Beginners” bluegrass jam in Richfield, MN, directed by Gene Walton. That wasn’t enough, so we kept adding more jams to the calendar! Our breakout show as a band was in February 2018 and we’ve been refining our craft as a group ever since.

Our set list selections start with deep roots in traditional bluegrass, flavored with folk, country, and Americana. Everyone in the band sings, creating great harmonies and tasty sounds that appeal to a wide audience.

PA Management with Aaron Niehus

The PA is the connection between you as a performer and the audience. It is critical that you have a solid understanding of how to make the most effective use of all the technology available to you. This workshop will be in 3 segments. 11 am will be setting up the PA  then at 11:30 learn to work with the single Mic  Everyone is welcome. Draw bands are highly encouraged to come.  At noon Aaron will shift to PA Management

Song Analysis with Tim Stafford & Phil Nusbaum

Three songwriters will each present an original song.  Tim and Phil then will offer thoughts and advice on structure and presentation.  Phil Nusbaum will offer thoughts on what broadcasters are looking for when you seek to get your songs played on the air. You do not have to be a songwriter to attend or benefit from these perspectives. Everyone is welcome!

Stagecraft, The Art of Putting on a Show

With Brent Fuqua and Becky Schlegel These two veteran performers go beyond the setlist to discuss ways you can take your next show to a new level. Entertain your audiences, have more fun and get more bookings!

Stagecraft will be at noon on Saturday in Studio 2.  Q&A is a big part of these Panels so bring your questions!

Booking and Promoting Your Band

With Ellen Stanley, Katryn Conlin and Tom Peschges

This panel promises to be a lively discussion of how to build an audience, and book better gigs!  We will cover topics like, Websites, EPK’s, Booking emails, social media strategies and more.  As with all of our panel discussions, please bring your questions!