Topanga Banjo Fiddle Day near LA, anyone?

[Paul Statman]

Anyone planning a trip to the 49th annual Topanga banjo fiddle contest and folk festival at Paramount Ranch May 17th? It's a modest one-day festival, but I'm wondering how many 'cafe members might be coming in from 'out of town'.

[Spruce]

I've attended in the past, and had a great time...

Got into a little jam with Steve Martin once that was a very cool little experience...

Good jams all over the place.....

[Paul Statman]

Got into a little jam with Steve Martin once. That was a very cool little experience...

Yep - that Steve Martin knows whar to put his fangers!

[Eddie Sheehy]

I'm hoping to go but I got my teeth fixed so I'm giving up the Banjo...

[Tom Mullen]

I used to play and perform at that fester when it was still in Topanga Canyon. I still have my ribbons.

[Paul Statman]

I'll be performing with my band on the Railroad Stage from 12:00 - 1:00PM
Come by, and we'll touch mando's!
www.topangabanjofiddle.org

[mandozilla]

The first Topanga B & F Contest I attended was the 13th annual (I think) in 1972 (I think). As I recall, it took place on the Atheletic fields on the campus of UCLA (I think)...I'm a new senior and having another senior moment. I've attended off and on since then.

I'll be there with a bunch of the 'Bluegrass Bottomfeeders' (SWBA). I'll see you there mandopixie!

BTW, will you or your band be in competition? I've got an in with one of the judges.

But honestly, the judging is on the up and up..The judge I know is as honest as the day is long.

[Paul Statman]

BTW, will you or your band be in competition? I've got an in with one of the judges.

No, I'll not be competing this year, but I am performing with my band on the Railroad Stage at high(?) noon.
I entered (under protest after prolonged pressure from my guitarist) back in 2004, on the condition that we enter to win. We took 1st Place Band, and I took 1st Place Advanced Mandolin. I remember Patrick Sawber being one of the judges.

[Chris Keth]

It sounds like fun. I'll probably go assuming my work allows. I'm just starting out and I'd love to meet some people and get some inspiration to soak in.

[mandozilla]

Well PanaDP when you get to Topanga, don't be shy...just look for folks wearing Mandolin Cafe ballcaps and introduce yourself! You'll really enjoy Topanga I think.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I'll see if I can get a carpool going from Orange County...

[mandozilla]

I hope all Cafe members who are going have, and will wear, their Mandolin Cafe ball caps for ease of recognition...I look forward to meeting some of y'all there!

[Ransome]

Me and the family will be attending! My friends Whiskey Chimp are playing on the main stage, too. We will be the ones chasing the very fast blonde boy around. :-)

[mandozilla]

We will be the ones chasing the very fast blonde boy around.

HaHa Ransome. Hope to see you and yours at Topanga!

[mandozilla]

We will be the ones chasing the very fast blonde boy around.

HaHa Ransome. Hope to see you and yours at Topanga!

[Spruce]

My friends Whiskey Chimp are playing on the main stage, too.

That's another band I jammed with all day long at Topanga about 4-5 years ago...

Great group, and fun setlist...

Tell 'em "hi" for me....!

[Laurence Firth]

I'll be there checking out Whiskey Chimp and Paul Statman and The Statmen "Music of David Grisman" on the Railroad stage (as well as all the other acts and competitors). It's always a great day. But be ready for a HOT ONE. I don't know why but its always on one of the hottest weekends going. For once I'd like a cool / maybe overcast day. Bring lots of water and dress for some hot weather. I don't have a Mandolin Cafe hat to wear but I'll look for others with them and say hello.

See ya there!

[craigw]

I'll be coming down to take my 8 year old grandson (and his dad) who started fiddle lessons with Frank Javorsek 4-5 months ago. He is showing lots of promise and really loves it. He will be spending 5 days with us at the Fathers' Day festival in Grass Valley next month. We'll be plugging him into the Kids on Bluegrass program at that event. He isn't competing tomorrow but I told him to bring his fiddle. I'll be bringing one of my mandos and might do a little jamming. It's my #3 and really a good un with all the tone wood supplied by Bruce Harvie.
It was good to see your post Tom. Maybe I'll see you at IBMA in the fall.
Craig Wilson
www.wilsonmandolins.com

[Paul Statman]

I'll be there checking out Whiskey Chimp and Paul Statman and The Statmen "Music of David Grisman" on the Railroad stage (as well as all the other acts and competitors). It's always a great day. But be ready for a HOT ONE. I don't know why but its always on one of the hottest weekends going. For once I'd like a cool / maybe overcast day. Bring lots of water and dress for some hot weather. I don't have a Mandolin Cafe hat to wear but I'll look for others with them and say hello.

See ya there!

Nice one, sir! Be sure to come by and say, "Hi" (alternative greetings also graciously accepted).
Paul

[Ransome]

Just to follow up and say the family and I and some local Ventura peeps will be there for sure!

[Paul Statman]

Just to follow up and say the family and I and some local Ventura peeps will be there for sure!

Excellent!

[Chris Keth]

Man, I really wanted to go but I'll be on a plane coming back to LA in time to miss it by hours. Someone take some cool photos and let us know how it was!

[Eddie Sheehy]

Dang! Couldn't get to it... maybe next year.

[Paul Statman]

Man, I really wanted to go but I'll be on a plane coming back to LA in time to miss it by hours. Someone take some cool photos and let us know how it was!

This is what the Railroad Stage looked like from the front row at our performance.