Heather Sarona and Lindsey Tims join forces for a set of soulful original music at this week’s Beer and Banjos.
Beer and Banjos is a free, family-friendly evening of roots music every Tuesday at Raleigh’s Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard. Hosted by the mighty local musicians known collectively as the Beer and Banjos Allstars, these weekly concerts feature guest musicians and take place on Bowstring’s spacious patio when the weather allows, or inside by the bar when rain, heat, or cold threaten the vibe.
Tips for the musicians are gratefully accepted (look for a helper walking around with a bucket for cash and QR codes for online tips), and don’t forget to check out the merch table. Bowstring serves tasty pizza and other food as well as cold beer and other beverages.
Learn more about Beer and Banjos events statewide here.
Held on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7-9 pm at the Riparian Provision Company (1408 South Saunders Street, Raleigh). This is an up to speed, gather in a circle kind of jam. It’s led by great players who work to make sure there’s space for everyone in the tunes.
The leader picks a key (D, A and G are popular) and calls tunes in that key until it feels right to pick a new key and retune. The fiddlers traditionally call the tunes, but not always the jam leader. If you’re playing fiddle you should expect to be asked, “Hey, you got a good D tune?” While “no” is an acceptable answer, it’s good to have a tune in each key that you’d feel comfortable calling and kicking off.
Whether you’re a first-time jammer or a veteran, you’re welcome to learn the tunes and play along, or just listen and observe! However, please note that this is not a “learning” or “slow” jam. Please remember – every jam is different! This jam tends to draw a good crowd, and it is open to musicians of all skill levels. Please help us make sure that newer players feel welcome. Also, big, mixed level jams can be challenging. Patience and kindness are appreciated!
This jam is open to all musicians, not only beginners! It is a learning jam, though, to help those who are still learning the basics of bluegrass music and playing with other musicians. It is open to participants of all ages and abilities. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn basic jam etiquette before jumping into a traditional jam. We’ll spend the first hour playing together in a single large group, stopping frequently to discuss the songs. The second hour, we like to break off into two smaller groups and put our new jam skills into practice!
Facilitator Jef Walter is a local musician who plays with Hank Smith & the Beer & Banjos All-Stars (every Tuesday at The Raleigh Times Bar) and other groups; he also mentors The Loblollies youth bluegrass band.
Lobby doors open 6:30 p.m. | Theater doors open 7 p.m. | Showtime 7:30 p.m.
A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | Raleigh
Orchestra: $48.26 members; $53.62 public
Balcony: $42.90 members; $48.26 public
Rear: $24.67 Ticket prices shown here include facility fee and sales tax.
BUY TICKETS ONLINE, OR CALL OUR BOX OFFICE AT 919-664-8333 TO SAVE ON FEES.
Balsam Range came together by happenstance in 2007, during an informal kitchen jam session in the rural depths of Western North Carolina. What started as friends gathering to pick tunes led to gigs being booked and original songs taking their place in the modern bluegrass canon. And fans gladly came along for the ride.
The band has become one of the most decorated and award-winning acts in bluegrass, including the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honors for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and many more.
Balsam Range has released 14 albums, with several number one singles on the bluegrass charts. But what remains most important to the band is something that goes back to those kitchen-jam origins: genuinely connecting with an audience through the sacred, ancient act of live performance.
The monthly PineCone Bluegrass Jam is a “circle jam,” where musicians gather in a circle and play together. Tunes are played up to speed and everyone interested in playing bluegrass instruments is welcome.
This jam will be held outdoors when weather permits. TransferCo has a beautiful patio, with lots of room for pickers and spectators alike. There’s also a spacious ballroom just off the Food Hall that’s got room for a nice sized circle.
Jam leader Ron Raxter is pictured far left playing the upright bass. (photo by Tom Beck)
Facilitated Ron Raxter, the repertoire includes both instrumentals and vocal songs. Ron is one of PineCone’s founding members and is active in a number of local jams. He’s a retired attorney, bass player and was part of the local organizing committee that helped recruit IBMA’s World of Bluegrass to Raleigh.
In the colder months the jam is held in the TransferCo Ballroom. (photo by Maurice Melvin)
Whether you’re a first-time jammer or a veteran, you’re welcome to learn the tunes and play along, or just listen and observe! However, please note that this is not a “learning” or “slow” jam. If you want to play at a slower tempo you might want to check out our monthly “Beginners’ Jam” at Harry’s Guitar Shop. Regardless, this is a great place to meet other musicians who share your enthusiasm for bluegrass.
Please remember – every jam is different! This jam tends to draw a big crowd, and it is open to musicians of all skill levels. Please help us make sure that newer players feel welcome! Also, big, mixed level jams can be challenging. Patience and kindness are appreciated!
The PineCone Bluegrass Jam meets on the fourth Monday of each month at Transfer Co. Food Hall in downtown Raleigh.
