For enthusiasts of early banjo

3rd Joel Sweeney & the Banjo Convergence

Event Details

Time: May 13, 2016 at 6pm to May 15, 2016 at 2pm
Location: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
Street: Route 24
City/Town: Appomattox, Virginia
Website or Map: http://www.nps.gov/apco
Phone: (434) 352-8987 X. 236
Event Type: learning/, sharing/, performing
Organized By: David Wooldridge and Mark Weems
Latest Activity: May 16, 2016

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Event Description

Early banjo, fiddle, guitar, tambo, and bones players- have at you all!

Save the date for the 3rd Sweeney Early Banjo Convergence! Once again we shall gather on the beautiful grounds of Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park; the "groud zero" for early banjo music.

For it was along the humble banks of the Appomattox river where Joel Sweeney and his myriad of musical kith & kin lived and learned the banjo!!

Brought to you by the North Carolina School of Traditional Music and the National Park Service at Appomattox Court House NHP, this event is both a chance for learning and sharing amongst early banjo enthusiasts as well as an opportunity to perform for the public in the historic village just as Joel did some 175 years ago!!

There is the possibility for period camping ON-SITE this year as well.

For the banjo appreciative public, there will be presentations throughtout the day, film screenings, and tours to Sweeney sites throughout the Park and an abundance of banjo music!.

Inquiries to this post will be answered with all deliberate speed and veracity as details become solidified.

For those who wish to share their banjo research and/ or revelations with the general public, there are a few slots available among the day long programming to be held at the Park's visitor center.

For those who are versed in the art of the design & manufacture of the blessed banjo, there is space at the Park planned for you to exhibit your craftsmanship!

Dress of the period is encouraged but not required.

For further information, feel free to correspond with:

David Wooldridge (david_wooldridge@nps.gov) OR

Mark Weems (markweems@frontier.com)

Comment Wall

Comment by Strumelia on April 8, 2016 at 6:36pm: Hey friends- I have an available double bed at the Super8 Motel during the weekend. Please see the specifics here:

Super8 double bed available for Sweeney event

Comment by Scott Danneker on April 8, 2016 at 8:22pm: If memory serves, Tom Taggert stayed there last year, I couldn't get in myself because there were no vacancies. It looked much better than the Budget Hotel down the road where I ended up. It's very close to the event too. I think you will be more comfortable there.

Comment by Strumelia on April 8, 2016 at 9:06pm: Thanks Scott. please see the thread in my above link for details concerning possibly sharing the room.

Comment by Scott Danneker on April 9, 2016 at 7:20am: Alas, I do not meet either of your two criterion, especially the latter. I'm dusting off the old re-enactment gear and will be tenting on the old camp ground. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Comment by Mark Weems on April 15, 2016 at 1:50pm: Here is a list of tunes we thought would be good to all have in common for the Sweeney Convergence next month. If you don't already know these, you have a month to practice!

1.Jonny Boker

2. Jim Along Josey

3. Grapevine Twist

4. Old Dan Tucker

5. Old Joe

6. Oh Susannah

7. Ring De Banjo

8. Cotton Pod Walk Around (Alabama Walk Around)

9. Injun Rubber Overcoat

Comment by Strumelia on April 21, 2016 at 5:22pm: Where can I find banjo TAB for Ring De Banjo- is it out there somewhere?

Comment by Mark Weems on April 21, 2016 at 8:07pm: It's in here for one: http://www.amazon.com/With-Banjo-Knee-BK-CD/dp/1574242296

Comment by Strumelia on April 21, 2016 at 9:38pm: Thanks Tim! It was proving difficult to read by moonlight anyway.

Comment by Strumelia on April 21, 2016 at 9:57pm: I will order that book...but it would not have gotten to me in time for enough useful practice before the Sweeney soiree.

Comment by Rob Morrison on April 23, 2016 at 11:44am: FYI-- Dave Kirchner, the great instrument maker and singer with the voice that needs no amplification, will be attending the Sweeney Convergence. Looking forward to seeing Y'all there.