Musicians are invited to join open bluegrass jam sessions twice a month at the Contrarian Concert Hall & Theater in Festus.
There is no cost to participate in the jam sessions or for the general public to come hear the music that runs 6:30-9 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays at the venue, 125 E. Main St. Doors open at 6 p.m.
At a session May 14, Derek Giles said the jam sessions are free-flowing. Giles, of Columbia, Ill., participates and helps set up for the music gatherings.
“One person leads the song, and everybody else joins in,” he said. “We usually do a round-robin format.
“My main instrument is banjo. I can fill in on other stringed instruments.”
Musicians of many different instruments would fit with the group, he said.
“We get all across the bluegrass instruments – guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, basses and ukuleles,” Giles said. “You can just come in and play. All skill levels are welcome.”
That said, participants need to be familiar with bluegrass music and be able to mix in with the other players, he said.
“It’s not lessons,” Giles said. “You’ve got to have some bluegrass knowledge and be able to play simple chords. And, be able to change between the different chord progressions. And, stay on the beat and in tune.”
He said that the number of participants has varied from night to night since the sessions started a few months ago at the Contrarian.
“About a half-dozen would be a low number,” Giles said. “We’ve had up to 12, 15 join in. We could accommodate more. We’re mainly getting people from Festus, but there have been some from around the metro area, from the Metro East and St. Louis.
“The crowds vary. Sometimes, it’s just family and friends. We’ve also had around 20 in the audience.”
Performers generally play together in the stage area, but they do not necessarily need to perform with the rest, he said.
“Not everybody has to get in with the group,” he said. “They can sit at a table (in the bar area) and play.”
Giles, who leads bluegrass jam sessions at other venues around the St. Louis area, said the players not only entertain themselves by joining in, but also may expand their repertoires.
“I’ve seen a lot of people grow as musicians,” he said. “Now, they’re leading songs and singing. It encourages people to get out of their comfort zones.
“We learn from each other. We teach each other different songs,” he said.
Patrick Thomson, a co-owner of the Contrarian, said he is impressed with the participation, as well as the quality of bluegrass music he has heard during the jam sessions.
“I think this is 100 percent a great thing for everybody to come in here,” Thomson said. “I’m shocked by the number of players that have shown up, not to mention all the people that come to listen. The more, the merrier.”
He said he sees the jam sessions as an attraction for the venue.
“I’m very happy we can have live entertainment here on Main Street,” he said. “We’re still keeping it a free event.”
Judith Ivery of Festus, who plays ukulele, said she has taken part in the jam sessions since they began.
“I just like having an event like this in Festus,” Ivery said. “There are a lot of players that can really play. There’s a lot of talent. The sound here is amazing. I hope this catches on.”
Glenna Bailey of Crystal City, who also plays ukulele, said she appreciates the jam sessions.
“I think it’s really incredible,” she said. “People can come in and just start playing together, and it meshes. I have fun.”
Mike Duncan of Waterloo, Ill., a guitar player, has started coming to the bluegrass jam sessions. He said he has played with Giles at other venues but enjoys coming to the Contrarian.
“The Contrarian and Festus are beautiful,” Duncan said. “I like to come have a little fun, play a little music.”
Fred Pringle of Crystal City participated in his first bluegrass jam session at the Contrarian on May 14. He said he plays guitar, mandolin, piano and other instruments.
Pringle said he has Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, he was able to join in playing music.
“That was my first time,” he said. “I enjoyed playing there.”
He said he plays regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays at other venues.
“Now, I guess I’ll play on Thursdays here,” Pringle said. “I’m going to try to come back.”
Giles said he generally hears positive comments from jam session players.
“This is a great thing to do around St. Louis,” he said. “Talking to others, it’s something people enjoy.”
For more information about Contrarian events, visit contrarianconcerthall.com.