Folk music and folk arts have a long and wide-ranging history in Southern California, nowhere better represented than at this year’s 54th annual Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, on Sunday May 18 at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills.
Originally located in Topanga Canyon in 1961, the contests and festival have been going strong ever since. Even in those first years, Topanga was on its way to becoming popular as the premier Southern California folk, old-time and bluegrass musical and social event enjoyed each year on the third Sunday in May.
Over 100 musical contests will be offered this year at the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest. Contestants will perform folk, old-time, traditional and bluegrass music. Singing contestants will not be limited to any type, or historical period, of song, and will be free to choose whatever material they wish.
In addition to the music and singing competitions, Topanga provides professional entertainment, dancing and events on three stages, a children's area and a dance barn, old-time jamming, and song circles. Musicians and singers of all ages and at all levels are welcomed.
This year Topanga will feature The Americans, Rocky Neck Bluegrass, Run Boy Run, and Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band.
Topanga Banjo•Fiddle is a family event. One of its foundations is providing the opportunity for young people and new musicians of all ages to learn and grow their talent and skills in folk, old-time and bluegrass music.
Topanga also offers everyone who attends a chance to win prizes with several drawings for musical instruments, accessories and lessons. This year the festival is expecting a make available a few, very special, prizes to be donated by its generous sponsors and supporters, including a banjo custom made for Topanga by The Deering Banjo Company.
The festival also features crafts, vendors of folk and music related products, great food, free parking, and an all-day experience in historic Paramount Ranch settled among a western town setting that has been used in countless movie productions.
For lovers of folk, folk arts, old-time and bluegrass music in Southern California, there is simply no better place to be on the third Sunday in May than the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, Inc. at scenic Paramount Ranch.
Visit www.topangabanjofiddle.org for further information and to buy discounted tickets online before May 11.
For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in the Los Angeles region as well as the San Francisco and San Diego areas.