IMPORTANT NOTICE: During this time of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) concern, most concerts, jams and meetings have been cancelled. Check with the event contact before attending and check these pages for recent updates. All of us at AFTM hope that you and your friends and family are staying well.
Welcome to Austin Friends of Traditional Music
Reel Times Special Issue May 2020
The May 2020 special issue of our Reel Times newsletter is here. This issue focuses on how we can keep our music alive during the pandemic, with an in-depth feature by Chip Bach on "virtual pickin'".
See all issues of Reel Times on the Newsletters Page.
AFTM Meeting and Jam
The AFTM monthly jam is on hiatus due to COVID-19. Board meetings continue via video conference. Use our contact form for more information, questions or concerns for the board.
Cabin Fever Tunes
In order to keep musicians employed and the rest of us entertained, our friend Beth Chrisman has created a directory for streaming concerts and artist support at cabinfevertunes.com,
We are so greatful to Beth for this service to all of us in these dreary times. Be sure to visit the site and consider a contribution to her work.
See the concert schedule here
AFTM Scholarships
Each year the Austin Friends of Traditional Music awards a scholarship to promising musicians and dancers, 30 years of age or younger, who wish to further their studies of old time music and dance.
In years past we have supported our scholars to attend the Swannanoa Gathering’s Old-Time Music and Dance Week. Since the Swannanoa gathering has been canceled this year we will instead support these young musicians to further their study through on-line courses and lessons.
Regretably, most and probably all the events, jams and dances listed below have been suspended due to COVID-19. We are keeping this schedule here in anticipation of better days to come when our dancing and music making together will resume.
Upcoming Concerts and Events
Click the title or picture for details
Kids in a New Groove
Kids in a new groove (KING) combines the power of mentoring with music instruction by providing private, in-home, music instruction to Central Texas youth in foster care.
Volunteers are needed! Apply here.
Dances
Click title or picture for details
Wednesdays at 7:30-9:45 pm
Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E 41st St, Austin
Third and Fourth Saturdays, 7:15-10:15 pm
Shirley McPhail School of Dance (SMSD), 8018 Mesa Dr., Austin
Dare 2 Square
A place to find out when and where old-time Appalachian Square Dance happens in Austin.
https://www.facebook.com/AustinDare2Square/
Jam Sessions and Song Circles
On-line Tune and Song Circle
Every Saturday afternoon at 4pm
Link and updates at https://www.2quakers.net/music/tune-and-song-circle
The tune and song circle is our attempt to keep making music in
spite or our isolation during the pandemic. Due to the limitations of video
conferencing it is practially impossible to actually play together. The delayed
timing throws us off. But we can share our music by performing one at time.
Joining our Zoom video meeting is a simple matter of clicking the link on our
main page. Just follow the prompts to install the Zoom application on your
computer or mobile device. You may want to optimize your Zoom sound
configuration by following the instuction on our Zoom Music Page."
New Location for Rio Rita Jam
The long time home of the jam, Rio Rita Lounge, is no longer available, but the jam continues on! Big thanks to the Aristocrat Lounge for giving the jam a new home, at least temporarily, just in our hour of need.
The jam continues every Tuesday at 7:30 until late, All skill levels are welcome. The tunes are still raging and the drinks are still cold. And a food truck can be found in the back. Come by and check it out!
Aristocrat Lounge, 6507 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 7875
See our Facebook page
Click the title or picture for details
Every First Sunday of the month, 2 to 5pm
The Barn - 6218 Brodie Ln, Austin
Third Sunday of the month
Texas Music Museum ,1109 E 11th Street, Austin
Fourth Sunday of the month. Beginners 2 to 3:30, Intermediate 3:30 to 5:00
In homes (click through for information)
Every Tuesday 6:30 to 10pm
Aristocrat Lounge 6507 Burnet Road
Every Saturday from 5 pm
St. Roch's Bar, 515 Pedernales St, Austin
Fourth Saturdays, 7pm-10pm
Friends Meeting of Austin, 3701 E Martin Luther King
Second Fridays, 7 to 10 pm
UU Church, 4700 Grover
