The Berkeley Old Time Music Convention is a four day music festival featuring performances by local and national acts, a rollicking square dance, open cabaret, and the illustrious stringband contest in venues throughout Berkeley. Thursday, September 11th though Sunday, September 14th, 2008 (with Kick-Off Square Dance in SF on Wed, Sept 10th)

Guest Artists include:

88-year old fiddle master, BENTON FLIPPEN from Surrey County, North Carolina is known for his hard-driving, bluesy fiddle style.  He will be joined by banjo player and NPR producer, PAUL BROWN, and 71-year old guitarist FRANK BODE from Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Ballad singer and storyteller, SHEILA KAY ADAMS from Sodom, North Carolina is a 7th generation ballad singer.  Adams was the musical advisor for the movie, “Songcatcher”.

RAYNA GELLERT, a powerful fiddler who is a member of the all-woman string band, Uncle Earl.

The STAIRWELL SISTERS, the Bay Area’s own sorority of sweet harmony, steel strings and step dancing.

SAMMY LIND & CALEB KLAUDER (FOGHORN DUO from the Foghorn String Band), beautiful country duet singing and playing.

BRANDY SNIFTERS, an old-time band from Minneapolis who have been playing old-time music together since 1961.

EVO BLUESTEIN, multi-instrumentalist.

Saturday Night SQUARE DANCE. The Bands: BENTON FLIPPEN, PAUL BROWN, FRANK BODE & friends will be joined by the FOGHORN STRING BAND who is at the forefront of Portland’s vibrant old-time revival, and former Convention contest winters, the SQUIRRELLY STRING BAND from Oakland. The Callers: Bill Martin (Portland), Maggie Brunjes (Portland) and Jordan Ruyle (Oakland). Come early for a FREE clogging lesson with Evie Ladin!

KICKOFF SQUARE DANCE in SF on Wednesday, September 10th. The Bands: WATERTOWER STRINGBAND from Eugene, Oregon and GALLUS BROTHERS from Bellingham, Washington. Caller: Amy Hofer

Learn more: BOTMF Website