AFTM Spring Camp Jam / String Break - 2025
2025-04-25 08:00 - 2025-04-27 17:00 (America/Chicago)
We’re again having our Spring Camp Jam in 2025, out at Camp Ben. This year, we are joining forces with String Break.

All pickers, singers, and listeners: come on out to beautiful Camp Ben McCulloch for jamming and camping! We call it a “Camp Jam” because that’s what’s happening. Bring your musical instruments, singing voices, or just ears to listen and join us for a real fun time! Let us know if you’d like to lead a particular jam (Bluegrass, Irish, Cajun, Old Time, Ballad Singing, or you name it). Otherwise, just jam as you see fit. We’ll have a white board set up to let you know what’s going on. Bring your own food and beverages.

The Camp Jam is free to attend. Camping fees are extra and should be paid directly to Camp Ben upon arrival. Electric hook ups are first come first served.

Organized Jams:Check the whiteboard by the kitchen at the Camp Jam for updates.

Old Time Slow Jam – 11AM Saturday – Hosted by Britt Irick and Tim Keough

Old Time Jam – 12PM Saturday – Hosted by Britt Irick and Tim Keough

Country Jam – 1:30PM Saturday – Hosted by Gary Mortensen

Cajun Jam – 3PM Saturday – Hosted by Ken Picou

Singing Circle – 4:30 PM Saturday – Hosted by Georgia Canfield

Africa Night at the Sahara Lounge
2025-04-26 00:30 - 01:00, 2025-05-03 00:30 - 01:00 | Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville, Austin, Texas, 78721, United States
Experience the magic of Africa Night, where the rhythm of the music is only surpassed by the vibrant energy of the crowd. Immerse yourself in a night of dancing and grooves that transcends all borders. Join the unique fusion of cultures on the dance floor – one moment, you’re grooving to the beat, and the next, engaged in captivating conversations. Every beat tells a story, and each connection is a celebratio.

CTBA Bluegrass Jam at Batch
2025-04-27 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-04 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches, 3220 Manor Road, Austin, TX, 78723, United States
Calling all pickers and music lovers! Please join the Central Texas Bluegrass Association (www.CentralTexasBluegrass.org) for their Sunday Bluegrass Jam, weekly since 1978.

Irish Session at Kelly's Pub
2025-04-27 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-04 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-11 15:00 - 18:00 | Kelly’s Irish Pub, 519 West Oltorf Stree, Austin, Texas, 78704, United States
Irish session. Free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

Bluegrass Night at Radio West
2025-04-28 07:00 - 22:00, 2025-05-05 07:00 - 22:00, 2025-05-12 07:00 - 22:00 | Radio Coffee and Beer, 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, 78704, United States
A rotating cast of Austin’s finest Bluegrass Pickers! Rain or shine. Kid and pet friendly.

Austin Old Time Jam at Stargazer
2025-04-29 18:00 - 21:15, 2025-05-06 18:00 - 21:15 | Stargazer Bar, 979 Springdale, Suite 130, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Traditional American Fiddle Tunes. All skill levels are welcomed and encouraged. Free to listen or to learn.

Tune list

Chord charts

Austin Old Time Jam at Stargazer
2025-04-29 18:00 - 21:15, 2025-05-06 18:00 - 21:15, 2025-05-13 18:00 - 21:15 | Stargazer Bar, 979 Springdale, Suite 130, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Traditional Old Time Fiddle Tunes. All skill levels are welcomed and encouraged.

Free to listen or to learn.

Tune list

Chord charts

Austin Barn Dancers Community Contra Dance
2025-04-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-07 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St, Austin, Texas, 78751, United States
Contradancing in Austin originated when AFTM (Austin Friends of Traditional Music) started a jam session at Hancock Recreation Center (click here for map) over 30 years ago or so. Somebody (the name was lost in time) said “Hey, this is a good dance floor so let’s dance!” and thus the dancing started. The dancing went through several variations and around 1990 became predominately contradance.

To this day the Wednesday night dance at HRC is still a community dance with an average of 40-60 dancers and and occasional 75 dancing to the music of LOCO (Local On-Call Orchestra) – an open band of 3-10+ members with many excellent musicians, where anyone is welcome to come and play. The callers will call a variety of dances, whether it be contras, squares, circles, or whatever. This is a free dance courtesy of the City of Austin and Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

The Austin Barn Dancers meet every Wednesday night at Hancock Recreation Center from 7:30 until 9:45.

Traditional Irish Music Session at B.D. Riley's
2025-05-01 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-05-08 19:00 - 22:00 | B.D. Riley’s, 1905 Aldrich St #130, Austin, Texas, 78723, United States
Sessions Thursdays at 7pm on the Paseo beside the pub. Session players get a drinks tab & food disco.

Old Time Slow Jam
2025-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, Austin, Texas, 78703, United States
The monthly Old Time Slow Jam is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a slower pace to learn tunes in a supportive setting.

To get announcements and location updates join the Old Time Slow Jam Email List or the Facebook Group.

Old Time Slow Jam
2025-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, Austin, Texas, 78703, United States
The monthly Old Time Slow Jam is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a slower pace to learn tunes in a supportive setting. Organized by Sharon Isaac and Tim Keough.

To get announcements and location updates join the Old Time Slow Jam Email List or the Facebook Group.

Gwil Owen - Song Doctor Camp
2025-05-03 14:00 - 17:00 | Bouldin Creek Café, 1900 South 1st St, Austin, Texas, 78704, United States
Gwil Owen’s songs have been covered by Toni Price, Keith Richards, Levon Helm, Irma Thomas, Little Feat, and Jack Ingram, among others. He was an Academy Award nominee in 1999 for the song “A Soft Place to Fall” (co-written with Allison Moorer) featured in Robert Redford’s movie The Horse Whisperer.

Gwil will break down one of his songs and share how it came together.

Each participant will play an unfinished song for Gwil and the group and get feedback and ideas to think about.

Beer, soft drinks, and very light snacks provided.

Limited to only 12 participants.Tickets $50First 4 people get $10 off.

$ all money goes to the musician $

Saturday, May 3, 2025Doors at 2:00 p.m.Event starts promptly at 2:30

John and Carol are hosting on Mary Street in South Austin!Event takes place in the living room at Sessions On Mary, across from Bouldin Creek Café.

On street parking available nearby. Please read signs, every block is different.

Eddie Collins's Bluegrass Open Mic
2025-05-08 08:00 - 17:00 | New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas, 78751, United States

Valley Flower + Nick Taylor
2025-05-08 20:00 - 22:30 | ACL Live, 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, Texas, United States
Valley Flower is a 5-piece string band of friends who met picking in the Central Texas bluegrass scene by way of Virginia, North Carolina and Minnesota. To describe their sound, KUTX noted, “Valley Flower cross pollinates those iconic Appalachian sounds with the freshest petals of country, folk, and jam..clearly [infused by their] unique regional influences.” Valley Flower’s distinctive style and powerful songwriting is captivating audiences locally and around the country, earning residencies at Austin’s largest Americana venues, spots on national Festival line-ups and opening slots for touring acts out of Nashville & Denver’s newgrass/alt-country scene, including Clay Street Unit, Pony Bradshaw and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes.

Valley Flower’s debut EP, “Valley Flower” dropped on January 30th, 2025, and has organically amassed a total of 80k streams and 13k monthly listeners in it’s short time in the world. The EP includes 8 original tracks written and composed by front-woman Rose Flower, and produced by the band. The EP is mastered by Anna Frick, who’s worked with projects across the bluegrass spectrum including Billy String’s EP and re-issued Ralph Stanley works.

About Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor, a singer-songwriter from Southeast Texas, moved to Austin to pursue his passion for music and began writing his own material. His debut album, Not Alone, released in June, blends Americana with heartfelt storytelling, exploring themes of love, relationships, and the overlooked details of life. The album showcases his emotional depth and authenticity, with songs that range from gentle ballads like “Futures Past” to more energetic tracks like “Heart on the Run.” With his unique voice and honest songwriting, Not Alone marks the arrival of a promising new talent in the Americana scene.

Rakesh Chaurasia (Flute) - Pandit Gourisankar (Tabla)
2025-05-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, Texas, 78750, United States
Eternal Sounds of the Bansuri: Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia w/Pandit Gourisankar

Screenshot

ICMCA proudly presents an extraordinary evening with Grammy Award-winning bansuri virtuoso, Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia. Join us for a captivating live concert in Austin, where the magic of Hindustani classical music comes alive through the soulful melodies of the Indian bamboo flute. Revered worldwide for his evocative performances and deep connection to the roots of Indian classical music, Pandit Chaurasia will take you on an unforgettable journey of melody and rhythm. Joining him will be the dynamic Pandit Gourisankar on tabla, creating a symphony of sound that promises to captivate and inspire. Don’t miss this exclusive live concert—a celebration of brilliance, tradition, and musical innovation.

String Band Showcase - Batch
2025-05-10 19:30 - 22:00
Join AFTM for another String Band Showcase at Batch, organized by Britt Irick.

Featuring:

Javelina Good Time

BYK

Fandangeros de Austin

Dog Day String Band

Slaughter Creek Droughtbusters

Africa Night at the Sahara Lounge
2025-05-10 19:30 - 23:59 | Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville, Austin, Texas, 78721, United States
Experience the magic of Africa Night, where the rhythm of the music is only surpassed by the vibrant energy of the crowd. Immerse yourself in a night of dancing and grooves that transcends all borders. Join the unique fusion of cultures on the dance floor – one moment, you’re grooving to the beat, and the next, engaged in captivating conversations. Every beat tells a story, and each connection is a celebration.
