Pretty Shaky String Band

An old-time jam in East Lansing, Michigan.

Pretty Shaky String Band

 
Note: April 30, 2025 – Peoples Church, which hosts the Shakys sessions is beginning an extensive remodeling project. Starting this week, we will not be able to go into the basement of the church at all while the asbestos tiles on the floor of the social hall are removed. It is expected that this process could take about 6 weeks. After this we will be able to go into the basement but not into the social hall while that room is being renovated. This could take the rest of the year. We will be provided an indoor location by the church while this renovation is going on. For the first part, starting this week, if we need to meet indoors, we can meet in the Robertson room which is on the main floor of the church (where the sanctuary is) and across the hallway from the restrooms on that floor. As you enter the building from the entrance closest to the parking lot, go up the half flight of stairs and through the doors. The Robertson room will be on the right.
 
The Shakys meet at Peoples Church  in East Lansing, MI starting at 7:00 p.m. If the weather is good, we will meet outside, bring your own chairs and drinks.
If the weather is not good, we will meet downstairs in the social hall.
 
The church building closes at 9:30 so if we are meeting indoors we will have to be out by then. If we are meeting outdoors, then a bathroom in the church will not be available after the building closes.
 

 

The Pretty Shaky String Band is an open jam session that mostly plays old time music (from Appalachia, the Midwest, and specifically Michigan) depending on attendees that particular session. The group meets every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Peoples Church in downtown East Lansing, Michigan.

The Pretty Shaky String Band is an East Lansing institution. In 2023 the Pretty Shaky String Band was nominated for and received a Michigan Heritage Award from the Michigan Traditional Arts Program at Michigan State University. The Shakies have been meeting each Wednesday night for over forty five years. Many of Michigan’s finest folk musicians are Shaky alumni. Primarily an old time folk music jam, the Shakies also perform at various farmer’s markets and events in the area.

The Shakies are a friendly and laid back group. Musicians of all levels are welcome. We follow a round robin format, so everyone gets a chance to pick tunes. Originally strictly an old-timey session, we also embrace some Celtic and French-Canadian influence. If you are looking for an old time music jam in Mid-Michigan, players and listeners are always welcome!

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If you’d like to join us but don’t know how to play an instrument, MSU’s Community Music School offers lessons and classes geared toward adult beginners. Click here for more details, or email us.

When:
Wednesdays, 7:30 – 10:00ish pm

Location:
The basement of The Peoples Church
200 W Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
*There’s free parking at the church, accessible from Grand River Ave

3/28/17 Jam

March 29, 2017

By the time I arrived, which was around 8pm, there were 13 musicians. Red Haired Boy – A Bill Cheatum – A Little Billy Wilson – A Devil’s Dream – A Booth Shot Lincoln – A Shenandoah Falls – A Road to Malvern – A Crow Creek – A Who’s Been Talking to Dinah? – … More 3/28/17 Jam

3/22/17 Jam

March 22, 2017

There were about 14 people in attendance. The author noted the following tunes, played roughly between 8pm and 9:45pm. Little Billy Wilson – A Red Haired Girl – A Water bound – A Bill Cheatham – A Old Joe Clark – A John Brown’s Dream – A Bill Walker’s Tune in A Hangman’s Reel – … More 3/22/17 Jam

2016 Pretty Shaky String Band Reunion

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