2026 Schedule
Winter Wheat at the Intersection
Saturday, Jan 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
Winter Wheat is nine bands on 2 stages keeping the music playing til 11.
The Blue Water Ramblers will be welcoming you at 2 PM with an opening jam in the 'Stache. Bring an instrument and your voice! Then at 3 PM we present Sixty Songs of the Sixties. You pick the songs from the list and we all sing them; it'll be a regular hootenanny!
Tickets: https://wheatlandmusic.org/
Jesse Lynn, California Dan, Nate Myers Connor Meston, and Banjo-Jim
Northeast Michigan Arts Council
Feb. 8, 2026, 2 - 4 PM
3233 Grace St Rd, Standish
We're heading up to Standish to the NE Mich. Art Center for an afternoon concert.
Bear, Banjo-Jim, Connor Meston, Jesse Lynn, and Nate Myers
Acoustic Stew presents the Blue Water Ramblers
Sunday, Mar 29, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Doors and bar open at 2:30 PM.
Grand Rapids, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
In the intimate Koning Cinema of Wealthy Theatre the Blue Water Ramblers examine modern themes in tradition settings.
Click https://www.acousticstewmusic.org/ for tickets and other great show.
Bear, Nate Myers, Connor Meston, Jesse Lynn, and Banjo-Jim
LowellArts Sound Check Theater presents
The Better Together Show -
Blue Water Ramblers and Bruce Matthews
Saturday, April 25, 2026. 7 - 9 PM
Sound Check Theater at Lowell 1st Methodist Church, 621 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331
Twin bill: Bruce Mathhews 7 - 7:50 PM
Blue Water Ramblers 8:10 - 9 PM
As the title says, we're all better together.
Bruce Matthews
Bear, Nate Myers, Connor Meston, Jesse Lynn, and Banjo-Jim
Trinity House Theater
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 7:30 – 10:00 PM
38840 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152
We're sharing the stage with Jen Cass and the Lucky Nows at the Trinity House Theater in Livonia, Michigan. Call 734.464.6302 for tickets.
Bear, Banjo-Jim, Connor Meston, Nate Myers, Jen Cass and the Lucky Nows
Traditional Arts Weekend at Wheatland
Friday - Sunday, May 22 - 24, 2026, all day and night
7251 50th Ave, Remus, MI 49340
Join us for a weekend of workshops, instruction, dance and performance at Wheatland. Traditional Arts Weekend has become a popular Wheatland event for those seeking more personal instruction. Over 80 workshops in traditional forms of dance, music, crafts, vocal and instrument instruction provided.
Bear, California Dan, and Banjo-Jim
Aldo Leopold Festival
Wednesday - Sunday, May 30 - 31, 2025
At the Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center. That's the Hessel School House, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI 49745.
The Les Cheneaux Island String Band will hold forth during the Picnic Dinner on Saturday, May 31 at 5:15 - 6:30 PM. The musicians: Bear Berends, Carol Palms, Bruce Gartner, and Ron Fowler. Bring a chair. The music begins at 5:15.
About the festival: https://aldoleopoldfestival.org/
Teddy Spaghettis Listening Room
Tuesday, June 2, 2026. 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Please join us at Teddy Spaghettis Listening Room, 513 W Pontaluna Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49444. As the name implies, this is a venue where you can hear all the music without interference.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Plainwell Band Shell
Wednesday, June 10, 2026. 7 - 8:30 PM
We'll raise a joyful noise at the majestic Plainwell Band Shell, 250 N. Anderson St., Plainwell, MI. 49080.
Banjo-Jim and Bear
Clair
Thursday, June 11, 2026. 6 - 8 PM
We'll perform at the base of the water tower in Clare, home of Cops 'n' Donuts.
Banjo-Jim and Bear
Nor-East'r Music and Art Festival
Friday - Sunday, June 12 - 14, 2026
1889 Caldwell Rd. Mio, MI 48647 approximately 6 miles NE of downtown Mio.
A wonderful music and art festival on the sylvan grounds of Oscoda County Fair Grounds, Mio, MI.
Here is our schedule.
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Friday night - 6:20 - Main Stage - Concert Set
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Saturday early afternoon - 1:20 - Parlour Stage - Newgrass Set
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Saturday mid afternoon - 4:00 - Jam Tent - Singin' The 60's, Interactive Sing-A-Long
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Sunday afternoon - 3:00pm - Main Stage closer - Concert Set
Tickets available Dec. 1, 2025at https://www.noreastrfest.org/tickets.
Bear, California Dan, Nate Myers, and Banjo-Jim
Buttermilk Jamboree
Friday - Sunday, June 19 - 21, 2026
Circle Pines Center, 8650 Mullen Rd, Delton, MI 49046
Bear and Banjo-Jim are honored to be part of the Interfaith Spiritual Hour at 10 AM Sunday, June 21 on the Orchard Stage.
Everything you need to know about the Jamboree: https://circlepinescenter.org/music-festival/
Amen!
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Smiling Acres Music Festival
Friday - Sunday, June 26 - 28, 2026
Smiling Acres Campground, 3060 N Johnson Rd, Trufant, MI 49347
Back to Smiling Acres in the woods of Trufant. Banjo-Jim will conduct a sky tour at 11 PM Saturday night and the Blue Water Ramblers will open Main Stage Sunday morning at 11:15. A sweet, intimate festival!
Bear, California Dan, and Banjo-Jim
Dow Gardens
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 12 - 1:30 PM
We're playing the beautiful Dow Gardens for a lunch time concert again. Bring a lunch and enjoy the setting and our music.
1809 Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI 48640.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Felt Mansion in Holland
Thursday, July 2, 2026. 7 - 9 PM
We perform at the historic venerable Felt Mansion, 6597 138th Ave, Holland, MI 49423, from 7 - 9 PM.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Michigan Legacy Art Park at Crystal Mountain
Thursday, July 9, 2026. 7 - 9 PM
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683
It is an honor to add our musical art to the displays at the Michgan Legacy Art Park.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Hemlock Park, Big Rapids
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 7 - 8:30 PM
Located at the east end of Hemlock Street and Warren Avenue.
We will play Big Rapids' Concert in the Park Series at the Hemlock Park bandshell. Come on down!
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Music in the Marsh at Bay City State Park
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 7 - 8:15 PM
3582 State Park Dr, Bay City, MI 48706
We'll play Great Lakes Michigan songs overlooking Saginaw Bar at the state park.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Concert at Kindelberger Park, Parchment
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 6 - 8 PM
122 N Riverview Dr, Parchment, MI 49004
We're excited to return to beautiful Kindelber Park in quaint Parchment, Mich.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Planetarium Masters
Monday - Thursday Mornings, July 20 – 23, 2026
Banjo-Jim teaches astronomy at the Chaffee Planetarium of the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
American Legion Park, St. Ignace
Thursday, July 23, 2026. 7 - 8:30 PM
200 N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
Back to St. Ignace for an evening concert watching the Mackinac Island ferries zip by.
Banjo-Jim, California Dan, and Bear
Harrisville Harbor Series
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 7 - 8:30 PM
1 E Harbor Ln, Harrisville, MI 48740
Harrisville on Lake Huron: One of the prettiest harbors along the lake. Join us for a summer eve concert.
Bear and Banjo-Jim
Wild Blueberry Festival in Paradise, Michigan
Friday – Sunday August 14 - 16, 2026
Paradise Community Center, 49748 Hulbert/M-123
Starting at 1 PM Sunday we'll perform gospel, Great Lakes and Michigan music. Do join us for blueberry pancakes, intriguing crafts and fine music.
Bear, California Dan, and Banjo-Jim
Sault Ste. Marie - Locks Park
Wednesday, August 19. 7 - 8:30 PM
We're concertizing in Locks Park while the big boats come through. Please join us under the trees.
Bear, California Dan, and Banjo-Jim
Music on the Porch – Les Cheneaux Community Library
Thursday, August 20, 2026, 6:30 – 8 PM
75 E Hodeck St, Cedarville, MI 49719
We will set up on the library porch for a concert of Americana old and new.
Bear, California Dan, and Banjo-Jim
The Milwood Series
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, 3 - 5 PM
Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
We're heading to Kalamazoo to play the Milwood Series.
Bear, Banjo-Jim, Connor Meston, and Nate Myers