The Glory-Beaming Banjo

Some Christians believe the Rapture will come tomorrow, and some people think that's a perfect occasion to bust out the banjos and play some old-time music. John Walkenbach, banjo player and author of The J-Walk Blog , posted this entry about the " Rapture Jam ": "wormpicker came up with the idea of a rapture old-time jam, to be held on Saturday, May 21. That's the day of the scheduled Rapture. It will probably be in a park, so we can watch people float up to heaven while we play music accompanied by an earthquake. "If you're anywhere near Tucson, and would like to join in, let me know and I'll provide details. That means, you, 12-stringer. "Please dress appropriately, and wear hipster glasses if you have 'em." It would be spectacular if more of these Rapture Jams took place around the country. However, there's already an opportunity to hear and play some old-time in Northeast Ohio this weekend. Hessler Street Fair Saturday an...

Festival season is upon us, and Northeast Ohio hosts two events this weekend for fans of traditional music. The 13th annual  Oberlin Folk Festival kicks off tomorrow, May 6, at Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse on the campus of Oberlin College and Conservatory . A highlight of the Friday concert is a performance by the Dust Busters , an old-time string band based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Capping off the evening will be a contra dance sponsored by the Oberlin Contra Dance Club . The festival continues Saturday, May 7, with more performances by local and student acts. You can view the full schedule here . Admission is free. From the far, far west side of Cleveland, we go to the far, far east side for the inaugural  Blue Sky Folk Festival , at the East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, in Kirtland, Ohio, on Saturday, May 7. Performers include Hal Walker, Hu$hmoney, Dale Rodgers, and the Workmen's Circle Klezmer Orchestra, with storytelling by Robin Echols Cooper and c...