Fall Jam 2025
Fall Jam 2025 is Friday–Sunday, November 7–9, and as always, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Plymouth!
It’s always two weeks before Thanksgiving—a last chance to gather with friends to do some picking before all the relatives show up for the holidays and winter really settles in.
It’s a fun and unique gathering offering something for everyone including workshops, theme jams, Draw Band Scramble, Pickin Parlor Live, The Member Band Showcase, The Great Minnesota Ukulele Gathering, The Listening Room, and the Old Time Stage— live music on 5 different stages! And of course, informal jams in jamming rooms and hallways pretty much around the clock!
And this year, we will turn the whole Saturday night show into a celebration of MBOTMA’s 50th Anniversary!
Fall Jam Activities
Friday Night Headline Concerts
Old-Time Headliners:
Martha Spencer & Lucas Pasley
Friday, 11/7 7:00pm
Bluegrass Headliner:
Tim Stafford
Friday, 11/7 8:00pm
50th Anniversary Celebration
MBOTMA’s 50th Anniversary Concert Celebration
Saturday Night, 11/8, 8:00pm
An all-star celebration of MBOTMA’s 50th Anniversary! Hosted by Edie Loy, with Musical Director Brian Wicklund, and many many special guests!
3-Day Workshops
Thursday 9AM–Saturday 12:00pm
3-Day Instrument Workshops
Guitar Workshop Taught by Tim Stafford
Fiddle Workshop Taught by Brian Wicklund (pictured)
MBOTMA Member Band Showcase
Badger Hill Brewing Stage (Europa Room)
Saturday, 1pm-6pm
Featuring:
The Waverly Girls
Last Pick’d String Band
Uncle Muskrat (pictured)
Double Down Daredevils
The Gated Community
Fireside Lounge
Friday & Saturday Nights
Pickin’ Parlor Live is an open stage event, where new bands (and old) play short sets for a lively audience—the stage is right next to the hotel bar! It’s always a great time!
Hosted by Doug Chasar
The Listening Room
Conference Room C
Friday evening & Saturday afternoon
The Listening Room was added to the schedule last year, and was immediately very popular. It’s another Open Stage performing opportunity, but for solo or duo acts only. It’s a great place to hear new songs by local songwriters, performing trying out new material, or simply making music more suited to a quiet space.
Hosted by Tim Wankel & Tom Peschges
Fireside Lounge
Saturday 5:00pm
The Draw Band Scramble is chaos meets serendipity! Drop your name in a (virtual) hat, and you’ll be grouped with fellow players into a brand new band!
Your band then has several hours to come up with a band name and 2-3 songs to perform later on the Fireside Stage! It’s not a competition, it’s just for fun!
Meet at the Europa Stage at noon to meet your band!
Hosted by Adelle Hyrkas
Old-Time Dance Parlor
Scandinavian Room
Downstairs in the hotel is another whole world for Old-Time jams, workshops and dances!
If you love fiddle tunes, open-back banjos and dancing until your feet are sore, this is your place and your people!
Curated by David Vincent
Workshops & Theme Jams
Fireside Lounge & Studios
Saturday All Day
Saturday boasts a full schedule of learning and playing opportunities that just require you to show up!
Want to learn about social media for promoting your band? How about playing swing tunes? Want to get together with your Gal Pals?
Check out the Workshop and Theme Jam schedule and plan your day!
Curated by Mark Johnson, Tom Peschges & Mark Anderson