Dangem Banjo Camp in Co. Antrim, 27 Feb.-1 Mar. 2009

John Dowling among leprechauns

'Forty-eight hours of total banjo immersion... Spend a weekend away from the toil and cares of everyday life, with nothing to do but learn about the 5-string banjo from world-famous teacher John Dowling, play, jam, and possibly even sleep!'

That's what is waiting for attenders at the Dangem Banjo Camp 2009 (5-string Scruggs style), to be held from Friday 27 Feb. to Sunday 1 Mar. 2009 in Corrs Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim.

Dangem Bluegrass and Deering Banjos will bring John Dowling to Northern Ireland for the first time ever. From Cornwall, UK, John took up the banjo at the age of 12, and in 2002 he was sponsored by the ACLAIM (Acoustically Live And Inclusive Music) organisation to enter the prestigious National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, USA. He won the first prize, a very large trophy, and a new banjo worth $4,500. John is the first European ever to have won this award.

John was an experienced teacher before he won the award, and in the BBC1 TV series ‘Play it again’, he helped to prepare comedian Frank Skinner to enter the Winfield banjo contest. He was also a teacher at the 2nd Munich Banjo Camp in November 2008.

Costs for the weekend are:

Tuition only: £100.00
Single room B&B for the weekend and full tuition: £240.00
Twin room B&B for the weekend and full tuition for two persons sharing: £350.00 Total
Twin room B&B for the weekend and full tuition for one person with non-playing partner sharing: £280.00 Total

An application form with full details can be found here. Deposits (details on the application form) should be sent by cheque payable to Derek Lockhart, 101 Belfast Road, Magheralin, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, BT67 0RP. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Deposits should be received no later than 6 Feb. For more info, call Derek (07802364846) or e-mail.