Hi Bonnie, My name is Laura Thomas. I've just been introduced to Mudcat by Rick Fielding. This is the first time I've ever 'chatted' here! Anyways, I am a Toronto musician and gave up my day job 10 years ago to play music. Although I had always been a singer I was a rookie instrumentalist. I had a tough time getting started but had great luck here in Toronto. I ended up being a cohost of 6-9 year long running Jam Nights. Anyways, I agree that jam nights or open stages always attract players and singers of all levels. In Toronto you can find many of these listed in a publication called T.O. Nites. I'll have to look up contact info and get back to you. It's a good idea to check these events out .....you'll almost always find beginners in the circle somewhere. Also, I know that The Country Music Store in Toronto has had a very informal long-running jam at the back of it's store on Saturday afternoons. I'm sure you can find their number in the Toronto phone book. This is a great place to play banjo. I know also that Toronto music stores have boards where you can post messages. All calibres of musicians put up notices. You can also put a small add in The Toronto Now Magazine under musicians wanted....a small add only costs around $10.00 and most Toronto musicians read this often. I always found that festivals were a great opportunity to jam. Generally after the mainstage performances have finished little pockets of jam sessions emmerge....the best players generally step up first but as the night wears on there are more and more opportunities for the shy and beginning players to play. Something that I've always found important is that beginners take to the time to learn chords and have chops but also to learn complete songs. Even if you learned only 3 or 4 complete songs, when you were playing with other players it gives you a chance to contribute. If 2 or 3 beginners get together and each of them knows 3 or 4 complete songs you've already got a good start! It's better too to keep it simple. The point of jamming is never to wow the other players but to keep things manageable for everyone. This way everyone gets a chance to fit in and accomplish something. Hope this info helps! I know I've rambled a bit! If you need any more help you can stop by my site in Toronto at http://www.laurathomas.net and leave me an e-mail. I know many players in the area and maybe can introduce you to some other players. Best of Luck Bonnie, Sincerely, Laura Thomas

P.S. Thanks Jeremiah McCaw for listing all the info....I'm sure many of us will benefit from it!