The Mike Seeger Commemorative Old Time Banjo Festival Tickets

The EBONY HILLBILLIES are just tremendous performers. I have never heard music quite like that, Cajun with a fiddle lead. The BONES lady was wonderful. Roni Stoneman is just as entertaining as she was for 24 years on HE HAW. JUST A GREAT SHOW!!!

Wonderful array of banjo types and musical styles from a bunch of great musicians who also love the history of the music they play.

Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer put together a wonderful team of great banjo players. The variety of styles was fascinating and the playing was top quality. Birchmere's sound is the best I have heard at this kind of event, and it gave perfect support to all the players. I had no trouble hearing all the instruments - both as a group and separately. The vocal miking was especially noteworthy - the voices blended beautifully, and the sound level just perfect.

We attend this yearly fest anytime we can and are never disappointed with the performance. This year it came with a surprise from Strathmore as a percussionist and a vocalist were added to some songs. The highlight for me was Cathy Fink's wonderful take on Summertime. A beautifully-voiced arrangement accompanied by banjo. From mountain roads to Broadway was our musical trek. Great show.

I was blown away by the talent on stage! Adam Hurt's gourd banjo was absolutely haunting, and I was blown away by everyone there. There was an amazing variety too. I enjoyed that aspect probably more than anything. 5 stars for the music. Unfortunately, the sound had serious problems all night. Certain microphones weren't on (one of the fiddlers played through several tunes and you couldn't hear her at all. Her mic was not on, so they only thing you heard was what bled through the other nearby mics.) Another mic was having real issues - during Marcy Marxer's banjo-uke solo, the sound was popping and scratching really bad. Several times the feedback got so bad you had to plug your ears. During most of the songs, not every musician on stage would play, but their microphones stayed on. There was one particular song where you could hear Dan Gellert's wedding ring ping on the side of his banjo as he tapped along to the tune. It was really distracting, and the sound guy didn't do anything about it. 0 stars for the sound. The second half was a little better after the sound crew got up and tested some things, but there was still the problem with mics not being on, some feedback, and other issues.

Doors did not open until 5:35 due to air conditioning failure.(No one's fault). Waited in the heat 50 min. Got a gin and soda instead of gin and tonic. Was not about to stand in line to return it. Hard chairs emphasized the repetitiveness of the music. Not one of my better Birchmere experiences.

What an amazing cast of musicians. The diversity of styles played on at least 25 different banjos. Discovered two new favorite artists (The Old 78s and Evie Laden)

Bill Evans, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Adam hurt, Evie Ladin, & The Old 78's were all excellent (not in order of appearance or degree of excellence)! This Festival was very well run, relaxed, and the players each added something different. I especially liked the explanations on the different types of banjos, the different sounds, and the difference in banjo/guitar playing. The artists all displayed their love for what they did; wish I could have attended a training session the next day!

A lovely presetation of a variety of types of banjo music and musicians. I loved the Old 78's!

The Old Time Banjo Festival at the Birchmere is one of our favorite annual events. Cathy Fink does a great job of bringing together some of the top banjo players in the country. We particularly enjoy hearing Adam Hurt. What a great talent he has become. The entire evening has such a warm feeling. It is clear that all the musicians are having a great time and that spreads to the audience. It is appropriate that the evening is in memory of the great musician and folklorist, Mike Seeger. We miss you Mike!