Saturday, September 17, 2011
   THE BERKELEY FARMERS' MARKET STRING BAND CONTEST!    

Civic Center Park, MLK and Center Street, adjacent to the Downtown Berkeley Farmer's Market.
Contest starts at 11am, ends at 3pm
Sign up 10:00 am -11am
Warm-ups continuous from dawn!
Limited to 20 bands!
Free to enter!

Also: jamming throughout the park, instigated by Elise Engelberg and Matt Knoth (Black Crown Stringband)

 The Berkeley Farmers' Market/Ecology Center sponsors the String Band Contest.
Check 'em out at:
www.ecologycenter.org

Past Contest Winners

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THE DIRECTIONS:

Civic Center Park, MLK and Center Street, adjacent to the Downtown Berkeley Farmer's Market
Just one block from "Downtown Berkeley" BART Station, easily accessible by bus too!

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THE DETAILS:

Pre-registration for the String Band Contest begins on Sept. 1, 2011.
Pre-registration is strongly recommended!

To pre-register, please provide us with the following info:
1. Name of band - you can change this later if you want to.
2.  Number of members and instrumentation (including vocals).  This can be tentative info, but it will help us in planning to have it. 
3.  Contact person for band
4. Contact person's phone number (including area code) 

Please send this info to:
Email: contest AT berkeleyoldtimemusic.org

PLEASE do not send this before Sept. 1, 2011!

Snail Mail:
String Band Contest
2935 Piedmont Ave.
Berkeley CA 94705

Phone number:  510-848-5018

On the day of the contest, all bands, whether pre-registered or registering on the day of the contest, MUST check in at the registration table during registration time (10:00 to 11 AM) to receive their number for performing. Contest starts at 11 AM sharp and runs to about 3:00.

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THE RULES:

No entry fee.
Entry limit:  String Band Contest is limited to 20 bands total. Bands can enter via email, via snail mail, or during registration time the day of the contest (if slots don't fill up by pre-registration). There are always some no-shows among the pre-registered bands, so it's worthwhile to show up on the day even if you didn't get it together to pre-register!

 Any style of old-time acoustic music is acceptable and it's fine to include vocals  - bluegrass, swing, Irish, Klezmer, Cajun, Greek, Mexican, pan-ethnic satire, etc. etc.

RULES

1. All bands must report to the registration table during the check-in/registration time (between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM). By 10:30 AM, all bands will be given a number that signifies the order of contestant bands. To make the contest run smoothly, bands should be backstage when the number previous to theirs is called, and ready to perform when their number is called. If not present, they will be disqualified. Please announce the name of the tune or song before you begin, but do not give time-consuming introductions or explanations.

2. To be judged, bands must consist of at least three but no more than seven members. Each band must contain at least one banjo or fiddle.  Any kind of old-time music is fair game -- oldtime Appalachian, bluegrass, rebetika, Mexican, etc. No electric instruments, drums, or recorded music will be permitted. Electric pickups will not be permitted.

3. Contestants may not play in more than 2 bands, and may not play the same instrument in more than one band.

4.  VOCALS ARE ENCOURAGED!

5. Contestants and bands need to be prepared to play two selections. 

6.  Total time for the round should be no more than 6 minutes (for both selections).

7. Bands will be judged on rhythm/timing/pace, intonation/tonal qualities, expression/soul, musicianship/style, difficulty/technique and stage presence/ease and confidence in performance.

8. Accidents beyond the control of the contestant (such as broken strings) may result in a replay if the judges so merit.

9. Decisions by the judges are final.

THE PRIZES:

First prize:  $150 Berkeley Farmers' Market gift certificate (shared among band members) plus a choice of Farmer's Market tote bag or tee shirt for each band member
Second Prize:  $75 Berkeley Farmers' Market gift certificate (shared among band members)
Third Prize:  $50 Berkeley Farmers' Market gift certificate (shared among band members)

For more information:
contest AT berkeleyoldtimemusic.org