5th Annual
Southwest Old Time String Band Gathering

The First Full Weekend in March

March 4-7, 2021

Thanks to all of you who made the 4th Gathering such a wonderful success!!

You may arrive Thursday March 4 after noon to make it a 4 day weekend!
We are looking into adding another day (Wednesday) next year. Stay tuned for developments

PLEASE do not arrive early. The site has made it quite clear that early arrivals will not be permitted on the grounds.

What is it?

It’s a gathering of old time musicians (and their friends and families), to be held in Tucson, Arizona. We aim for the first full weekend in March (that starts on a Friday).

Dates: March 5-8, 2020 (Thursday through Sunday). This will be the fourth year for this event. Last year was another a great weekend of music thanks to all of you. Expect lots of jamming, dancing, good food, and of course great weather.

Location

The gathering site is a 16-acre Girl Scout camp. We’ve rented it for a weekend in March when the Girl Scouts are gone. The location includes lots of great tent camping areas, room for RVs, and even a bunk house. For those who prefer less “roughing it,” several motels and RV parks are located nearby.

Nights here are DARK! PLEASE bring and use a flashlight at night.

It also has modern restrooms, showers, a large outdoor kitchen and eating area, barbecue grills, shady ramadas, fire pits, and even a fish pond (but no fishing!).

This site will comfortably support about 150-200 folks with about 100 camping. The people there have been great to us so until we reach our limit we plan to stay at this site.

The address is:
3101 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85715

Here’s a zoomable map.

Events

The emphasis is on group jamming, but three events are tentatively scheduled:

Friday 5 PM - Meet and Greet Cocktail Party! This was a great success in 2020 so we'll do it again!
Bring your libations and snacks to share. Meet the neighbors!
A pot luck dinner on Saturday night
Dances on Friday and Saturday nights
Friday: Claire Zucker calls to Dan Levenson and the Cat Mountain Rounders (Dan Levenson and Emmy Truckenmiller - fiddles, John Walkenbach - guitar and Jerry Weinert - bass) for the first hour. Open band after that
Saturday: The band will be The Virginia Creepers (Jane Phillips - fiddle, Laurie Phillips - mandolin & mandola, Rick Olcott - guitar, Scott Mathis - mandolin, Marc Robert - bass and banjo, and Michel Robert - fiddle) from New Mexico for the first hour. Open band after that..

More Info

Lots of cooking facilities, and ice is available.
Several restaurants are nearby, within 3-4 miles.
Grocery store nearby.
Hotels are nearby (Comfort Suites is at Sabino Canyon)
Limited electricity is available for charging your electronic devices.
Tent camping is availablewith lots of great sites to choose from.
Historically, the average high temperature for this time of year is 74°, with a low of 44°. In 2017, however, the actual temperatures were about 10° warmer. Rain during this time of year is unlikely (but it could happen).
Nights here are DARK. Please make sure to bring and use a flashlight.
AND, we hope to find a food truck to be on site most of the weekend!

Some Rules

Arrive any time after Noon on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Leave by 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 8.
EARLY ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED BY THE CAMP. PLEASE plan accordingly.
RV campers will be asked to park in a designated area. There are no RV hookups, and generators are not allowed.
There is LIMITED parking for RV's so please make sure we know how large your rig is - especially the larger units!
For musicians: acoustic instruments only. No amps. No horns or drumsets. Remember, the focus here is acoustic old time string band music (not bluegrass).
No jamming near the south end of the site (residences are nearby).
Alcohol is OK, but please be discreet.
NO SMOKING (of anything please)
Pick up after yourself. Trash and recycling receptacles are available.
Sorry, no pets per camp rules

Cost

The goal is to cover our expenses and attract a good group of people, so we have kept the admission cost as low as possible. Paypal and checks will be taken for advance registration.
The 2021 rate should remain the same as 2020.

Full four-day pass: $50 in advance - includes overnight camping ($60 at the gate)
Family rate - (Couple or family with children) - $85 in advance ($95 at the gate)
Day pass only available at the gate. Cash only.: Thursday or Friday - $20; Saturday - $35 at the gate; Sunday - $15
- NOTE: Day rate does not include overnight camping
Dance only rate for the evenings - 6pm on - $5.
Children (age 15 or younger): free when accompanied by a paying adult
Additional tax deductable donations accepted.

Payment at the gate is cash only (no credit cards or checks).

Click here to download the advanced registration form. Form must be completed, signed and mailed in to confirm registration even if you are paying by PayPal or using a credit card.

Registration here:

2021 Registration Options coming soon!

Make your tax deductible donation here:

Note: The facility is equipped to comfortably handle about 200 people, so please register in advance to avoid being disappointed (and save some money).

Click here to download a color poster and help spread the word!

Photos

Camp Map

Camp Map

See Photos of the Site and past Gatherings!
Background Music by Dan Levenson and The Cat Mountain Rounders
Dan Levenson - fiddle; John Walkenbach - guitar; Jerry Weinert - bass

5th Annual Southwest Old Time String Band Gathering