Community Jams
Suggested donation: $10
Give what you can—your support helps keep our community jams going strong and open to all.
Front Porch Community Jams are open to players of all levels—students and non-students alike. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to stretch your skills, our jams are a fun, low-pressure way to play music with others and build confidence.
Jams meet at our Downtown location (221 East Water Street) unless otherwise noted.
NEW: Community Singing jam
Every Wednesday, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Front Porch Downtown Venue
Starts September 2nd, 2026!
Come sing, connect, and have fun in a welcoming community! Our weekly Community Singing Jam is an informal gathering where you can practice, explore harmonies, and enjoy making music with others. There’s no preparation and no pressure—just voices together.
We’ll sing a flexible mix of folk, Americana, pop, and classic sing-alongs, with song choices shaped by the interests and voices of the group. Repertoire may include artists like Bill Withers, The Cranberries, Chris Stapleton, Aretha Franklin, Hozier, Ed Sheeran, and Dolly Parton. Come with song ideas of your own, too!
What to Expect:
- Sing together in a relaxed, welcoming, and supportive environment.
- Explore harmonies and group singing.
- Sing a flexible mix of folk, Americana, pop, and classic favorites.
- Song selection will depend on who joins and what the group wants to sing.
- Bring song ideas and favorites to share.
- No preparation or prior group-singing experience is necessary.
Best for:
- Anyone who enjoys singing and wants to make music with others.
- Singers interested in exploring harmonies and group vocals.
- Anyone looking for a low-pressure, social way to sing.
- Beginners and experienced singers alike.
NEW: Ukulele Jam
4th Thursdays, 7-8:30 PM, Front Porch Downtown Venue
Starts September 24th, 2026!
Come strum and sing an assortment of songs together in a supportive community! Our Ukulele Jam is a joyful, informal gathering where players can share songs, learn from one another, and enjoy making music together. We’ll explore a mix of traditional, pop, and seasonal repertoire, with music projected on screen and shared electronically so we can go paperless.
Bring your ukulele, your favorite songs, and any ideas you’d like to share. Basic knowledge of major and minor chords is helpful, and we’ll have extra chord diagrams available. All experience levels are welcome!
What to Expect:
- Strum and sing together in a relaxed, supportive jam.
- Play a mix of traditional, pop, and seasonal songs.
- Bring songs and ideas to share with the group.
- Music will be projected and shared electronically.
- Extra chord diagrams will be available.
- Basic knowledge of major and minor chords is helpful.
Best for:
- Ukulele players who enjoy singing and playing with others.
- Players with basic major and minor chords.
- Anyone looking for a relaxed, welcoming way to make music in community.
- Players of different experience levels.
Jam Schedule
Wednesdays
Every Wednesday – Community Singing Jam
11 AM–12:30 PM | Host: Theo Herrin
A welcoming place to sing, connect, and have fun.
Thursdays
1st Thursday – Old Time Jam
7:00–8:30 PM | Host: Christen Hubbard
Sponsored by the Phyllis & Lewis Gilbert Bluegrass Jam Fund
2nd Thursday – Beginner Bluegrass Jam
7:00–8:30 PM | Host: Lucas Rhondeau
Great for advancing beginner students & beyond (all are welcome)
Sponsored by the Phyllis & Lewis Gilbert Bluegrass Jam Fund
3rd Thursday – Americana Jam
7:00–8:30 PM | Host: Tim McNamara
Featuring artists like Gordon Lightfoot, Watchhouse, John Prine, Bob Dylan & more
3rd Thursday – Open Mic Night
7:00–9:00 PM | Host: Erynn McLeod
📍 Held at Potter’s Craft Cider
Sign-up starts at 6:30 PM (first come, first served)
Original songs only
4th Thursday – Ukulele Jam
7:00–8:30 PM | Hosts: Craig Green and Debby Norton
Music and materials will be provided electronically.
Every Thursday – Intermediate/Advanced Bluegrass Jam
10:30 AM–12:30 PM | Hosts: Rick Ramsey & Malcolm Pulley
Saturdays
Every Saturday – C’ville Drum Circle
11:00 AM–12:30 PM | Host: Kevin Munro
Held outdoors in nice weather—follow their Facebook page for location updates
Bring your drum, sticks, shakers, or just yourself—some instruments are provided
2nd and 4th Saturdays – Jeli Jam
1:00 PM–2:30 PM | Host: Sully Carter
Bring your balafon, kora, n’goni, melodic instruments or just yourself—limited instruments are provided
No Jam on September 12th, 2026
What to Expect
- A welcoming, low-pressure environment
- Playing music with others and learning by doing
- Exposure to new songs and styles
- Opportunities to practice rhythm, solos, and group playing
What Jams Aren’t
- A step-by-step teaching space for learning new songs
- A place to stop and workshop arrangements
Tip: If you hear a song you love, jot it down and work on it later at home or in class!
Jam Etiquette
- Tune before joining (or tune quietly off to the side)
- Take turns leading songs (or feel free to pass)
- Follow the leader’s tempo and structure
- Pass solos around the circle
- Support others—play rhythm under solos and vocals
- When in doubt, play quieter and listen more
Before You Come to a Jam
- Learn 3–5 simple songs you feel comfortable playing
- Practice common chord progressions (G, C, D, A)
- Listen to recordings of familiar jam tunes
- Be ready to follow along—even if you don’t know the song
- Bring a tuner and any chord charts you like
Jam Resources
Common Bluegrass Jam Tunes
You don’t need to know all of these to participate!
Boil ’Em Cabbage Down (A)
Soldier’s Joy (D)
Old Joe Clark (A)
Angelina Baker (D)
Will the Circle Be Unbroken (G)
I’ll Fly Away (D)
Long Journey Home
Tombigbee Waltz (G)
Shady Grove (Dm)
Arkansas Traveler (D)
Whiskey Before Breakfast (D)
Spotted Pony (D)
The Crawdad Song (D)
Blue Ridge Cabin Home
Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Lonesome Road Blues
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Nine Pound Hammer
Learning to Jam
- Wernick Method Jam Resources – jam skills, songbooks, and play-along videos
Practice Tools
- Strum Machine – tempo + chord practice
- iReal Pro – custom chord charts and backing tracks
Tabs & Tune Libraries
Tips for Progress
- Write down songs you hear at jams and listen during the week
- Focus on learning chord progressions—not just memorizing songs
- Start by playing rhythm, then gradually add fills and solos