The 7th Annual Los Angeles Old Time Social, admittedly and unabashedly a “Traditional American Fiddle and Banjo Festival,” promises a plethora of bands that boast some iteration of the words “String Band” or “Boys” so you know the Americana is strong in them, just like The Force. If you're reading this the Thursday the 17th, you can catch the trio of performers at the Echo Country Outpost: Modal Tease String Band; The Driftwood Singers, and West Virginia's The Iron Leg Boys. If not, catch up with everything else during the ensuing two days' worth of fiddle, banjo, guitar, clogging and square dance calling workshops. Also scheduled: a cake walk and attendant Cake Walk Cake Baking (which sounds easier than it really is), music by L.A.'s very own (and very cleverly titled) Bees Knees, and shape-note singing with venerable local experimentalist Jessica Catron. What's shape-note singing? It's musical notation on the sheet paper that's shaped like diamonds, triangles, etc. to better help the singers find the proper pitch required in places like church, where sour notes really piss off the vengeful tetter-bearing Old Testament God. Echo Country Outpost, 1770 Glendale Blvd.; Thurs., May 17, 8 p.m., $5-10. (213) 820-0136. Also at The Velaslavasay Panorama, 1122 W. 24th St.; Fri., May 18, 8 p.m., $15. (213) 820-0136, and American Legion Post 206, 227 N. Avenue 55; Highland Park; Sat., May 19, 1 p.m., $10-20. (213) 820-0136. Full schedule at oldtimeisagoodtime.com.

Thu., May 17, 8 p.m.; Fri., May 18, 1 p.m., 2012

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