The Thursday and Friday afternoon open jams (Sept. 18 and 19, 1:00 to 4:00 pm each day - FREE) are a great place to meet people, visit, play tunes, etc. This has been an important part of the BOTMC for many years.  Because they take place at a private home, we don't publish the address on the web. 
To get the location (which is the same as in most previous years), email BOTMCAfternoonJam@gmail.com and you will receive an automated reply with the address. 

New to old time jams?  Check out our suggestions for jamming etiquette.

Tues. Sept. 16 (FREE)
5:30pm til 7:30pm Old Time open jam hosted by Tony Phillips & David Brown at Berkeley Central Library, 5th floor 2090 Kittredge (between Shattuck and Milvia). Free street parking is usually available in the residential neighborhood below MLK and there are several parking garages within a few blocks. More info at the library website.

Wed. Sept. 17
Ashkenaz (included with admission to the Welcome Party and Cajun Dance)
8:00 til ???    Old time open jam hosted by the Corn Likkers (Ray Chen, Lael Sigal, et al.),  in the back studio
INSTRUMENT CHECK AVAILABLE so that you can do some jamming and also some dancing.
1317 San Pablo Ave, near Gilman.  Parking available across the street in the REI lot.

Thurs. Sept. 18
1:00 to 4:00 pm Afternoon open jam (FREE)
email BOTMCAfternoonJam@gmail.com for location
5:00 to 6:00 pm (FREE) Open jamming hosted by WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow, in front of the Freight at 2020 Addison.  Meters go til 6:00. Parking garage right next door.  PLEASE BRING A CHAIR IF YOU CAN!  There will be a place to stash it inside the Freight during the concert.  The Freight no longer provides chairs for the jam.

Fri. Sept. 19
1:00 to 4:00 pm  Afternoon open jam (FREE)
email BOTMCAfternoonJam@gmail.com for location
5:00 to 6:00 pm(FREE) Open jamming hosted by Mark Olson & Penny Critchlow, in front of the Freight, at 2020 Addison.  Meters go til 6:00. Parking garage right next door.  PLEASE BRING A CHAIR IF YOU CAN!  There will be a place to stash your chair inside the Freight during the concert.  The Freight no longer provides chairs for the jam.

Sat. Sept. 20
2:00 pm-3:00 pm (during the string band contest)(FREE) 
Old Time open jam hosted by Darcy Ford-James, Patrice Strahan and Hannah Mayree at Berkeley Central Library, 1st floor
2090 Kittredge (between Shattuck and Milvia) Free street parking is usually available in the residential neighborhood below MLK and there are several parking garages within a few blocks.  The 5th floor Arts & Music area is available for jamming from 12pm-4pm.

4:00 to 6:00 pm     TWO OPEN JAMS, in adjacent locations! (FREE)
1) Shred Sesh hosted by Michelle Yu & friends at the Starry Plough  
An "onion" jam, with tunes played at top speed, all welcome to join the layers with the host band in the center - or get a beer and some food and enjoy the tunes.  The Starry Plough is at 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley at the corner of Prince.  
2) "Slow Jam Fizz" Moderate tempo Open Jam led by Judy Hyman & Jeff Claus, in front of La Peña
Can't keep up with the Shred Sesh? Or just feel like playing tunes at a relaxed tempo? Come join the moderate tempo jam, outdoors in front of La Peña, at 3105 Shattuck Ave, right next door to the Starry Plough. The definition of “slow” will be left to the discretion of the leaders. Sometimes it might be too fast for you, sometimes too slow. If it’s a little too fast, try it anyway! 

Evening open jamming at Ashkenaz (included with ticket to the dance)
8:00 til 9:00: Song circle - everyone welcome! led by Sarah Kate Morgan
9:00 til ???  Old Time open jam hosted by Harry & Cindy Liedstrand
INSTRUMENT CHECK AVAILABLE so that you can do some jamming and also some dancing.
1317 San Pablo Ave, near Gilman.  Parking available across the street in the REI lot.

Sun. Sept. 21 at Ohlone Park (FREE)
2:00 - 5:00 pm open jamming & visiting 
2:00 - 3:00 pm Friendly open jam with Robin Fischer & Rowan McAllister 

Please bring a chair or 2 if you can -- this is a great wind-down time, a last chance to play tunes, sing songs, visit. We are usually at the end of Ohlone Park across the street from the North Berkeley BART station - near Sacramento and Delaware, but final decision on the location will be made later.  Street parking is usually easy to find.