Wherever you go, be sure to clean up your mess and offer to put away chairs if needed. If at a commercial establishment, buy something. If being waited on, tip your server. It is important for us to always be appreciative of the people and places who run these jams. Be a gracious guest and you will always be welcome back!
Rabbit River Folk Gathering
First Saturday of the Month, 6pm
Vibrant Grains restaurant & bakery, Wayland
JD runs this and it is a lot of fun. First there is a special performer, then an open mic format where you can play 1-3 songs amplified. Then after all the open mic people have their time, everyone gets in a circle jam format. It is a long evening, but worthwhile, and the hosting location - Vibrant Grains - has great food. Keep an eye on their calendar at http://rrfolkfest.webs.com/apps/calendar/ because they occasionally have a Ukes Only night!
KFO Slow Jam
First Sunday of the Month, 2pm
Kalamazoo Valley Museum, downtown Kalamazoo
This is any and all acoustic instruments. It is a circle format, where you tell the key your song is in and then lead the song, so it is a good idea to prepare a few songs ahead of time. This event is a production of the Kalamazoo Folklife Organization. Chairs are provided, but bring a music stand if you need one.
Barn Jam & Potluck
First Sunday of the Month, 6:30pm
Terry Smit Farm, Martin (1/2 mile west of the intersection of 122nd and 10th)
Terry and Jean have a big barn on their farm and it is devoted to music and worship. Bring a dish to pass. When you come in, put your dish on the buffet line and go put your music case and coat upstairs, as the floor seating is tight. This is an all instruments jam, acoustic and wired. You sign up with Jean, who is usually at the keyboards. You get one song, so make it good. There's a section of the time that is reserved for gospel songs from the books that are on the seats. If you have a favorite, just yell out the number to request it. There is also a time for offering up praise and concerns, and then those are prayed over.
Tuesday Jams
Every Tuesday, 6pm
Pride of Scotts Hall, Scotts
This is at a community center right in the heart of the village of Scotts. Any and all instruments, acoustic or electric. If you are playing electric, you have to bring your own amp and plugs are first come first served. When you go in, find the guy to sign up. He is usually sitting at a bar height table up by the amplifiers. You only get one song to sing! However there is a lot of opportunity for learning and socializing. They have food and sodas for sale, and a 50/50 raffle and square dancing.
OD Open Mic Night
Every Tuesday, 7pm
Old Dog, downtown Kalamazoo.
The list fills up fast, so get there early. Old Dog is in the old Kraftbrau building downtown, right across from Bell's Brewery. They provide microphones and that's about it for tech support with plugged in. Small acoustic instruments do not carry well in this long, narrow site, so plug in if you have the capability. They have good food, beer, ping pong and pool tables. There is also a very large outdoor area.
GLAMA Jam
Last Mondays of the Month, 7pm.
Old Dog, downtown Kalamazoo
This is an acoustic only jam. Old Dog is in the old Kraftbrau building downtown, right across from Bell's Brewery. It is a circle format, where you tell the key your song is in and then lead the song, so it is a good idea to prepare a few songs ahead of time. This event is a production of the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association. Chairs are provided, but bring a music stand if you need one. They have good food, beer, ping pong and pool tables. There is also a very large outdoor area.
Know of another jam or open mic in the Kalamazoo Area? Let us know too and we'll update the list!
Special thanks to John Veld for sharing information about several of these jams.
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