I had a great time this summer at Ashokan, where Ruth, Mike, Tao and Pierce of The Mammals were among the instructors. They play a great selection of traditional and original material, and they have considerably more energy and stage presence than your average old-timey string band. Bands like The Mammals are subverting the pop culture one fiddle tune at a time, and the world is a better place for it.

I have a link to their Web site on my site, Smokin' Bill's Digital Depot. Look for their "Trad is Rad" logo.

I also recommend an up-and-coming string band called Old Crow Medicine Show.