FOAOTMAD Northern Camp

We can't promise Northern Lights but we can promise a warm welcome to our friends at FOAOTMAD for our brand new venture, the Northern Camp at Rainford Junction. In this unique partnership FOAOTMAD is delighted to support the Rainford Junction Youth Fund.

All weekend, top of bottom field, close to amenities.

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FOAOTMAD Northern Camp

Rainford Junction is excited to launch a new partnership with FOAOTMAD (Friends of American Old-Time Music and Dance); celebrating the coming together of the old-time and bluegrass communities. This will be the first 'FOAOTMAD Northern Camp' on site at the festival, and its set to be a good one.

Old-time is the traditional folk music of the Appalachian Mountains in the USA. Its roots lie partly with the enslaved Black African community, whose musical traditions and introduction of the banjo were central to its development, and partly with settlers from the British Isles — particularly Irish and Scottish musicians who brought their tunes, songs and dances with them.

What is Old-Time?

Friends of American Old-Time Music and Dance (FOAOTMAD) was founded in 1993 to promote and support traditional American old-time music and dance in the UK. They organise an annual festival as well as numerous music camps throughout the year — supporting old-time musicians and dancers across the UK and beyond.

Some of their regular events include Gainsborough Festival, Spring Camp, Summer Camp and Dunfield House picking weekend; this year the brand new Cornwall Camp will be an addition to their busy calendar. Anyone of any ability is welcome to attend (as long as you love old-time!). Members also receive a quarterly full-colour magazine and access to free online workshops.

What is FOAOTMAD?

At Rainford Junction, FOAOTMAD representatives will be on site to welcome you into the old-time scene as a living, breathing, communal tradition. Festival goers will see some familiar FOAOTMAD faces (Lil and Foxy!) and Rainford Junction will be hosting lively old time sessions, informal jams, numerous workshops (including flatfooting) and traditional American square dancing. All this happens in a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone — dancers, musicians, and listeners alike — is invited to join in and celebrate the joy of old-time music.

FOAOTMAD at Rainford Junction

Please email camps@foaotmad.org.uk for further information about any of the FOAOTMAD camps

Find out more about FOAOTMAD

What's Going On?

Rainford Junction will welcome you at the gate and get you bedded into the FOAOTMAD community. We have a fair few people coming to the festival so we need to be organised for health, safety, privacy and safeguarding reasons. We'll get you all settled in and make sure we all have enough space for practising alone, playing with friends and playing in the central community space.

The normal FOAOTMAD rhythm of the day revolves around a very popular slow jam in the morning. Late at night we have a session around a campfire provided by the festival guys which accommodates all abilities. In recent times, the slow jam has covered tunes played the night before which makes it a great way to learn the old standards or perhaps share something new.

Rainford Junction Festival has also arranged old time workshops on Saturday morning and you are welcome to join the Saturday afternoon open mic. In addition you have free entrance to these great events!