Banjo music festival Mondo Banjo returns to Wolfe Island this weekend

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

A unique festival celebrating banjo music is returning to Wolfe Island this weekend.

Mondo Banjo was started by banjoists Tim Posgate, Jason Mercer, and Teilhard Frost last year. Following a successful first run, the festival is returning Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Hotel Wolfe Island.

The festival centres the rich and complex history of the instrument, representing the traditions carried overseas by enslaved African people.

“It’s almost like a golden era for banjo at the moment,” said Mercer in an interview with CFRC.  “There’s a lot more awareness of the history. …The world is wide open right now for banjo players.”

The three-day festival is set to feature concerts, workshops, jams, dancing, and more.

Listen to the full story to hear from founders Mercer and Frost about how Mondo Banjo got started, the complex history of the banjo, its place in today’s musical landscape, and what they see ahead for the festival.