SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2026
MONDOBANJO!
WOLFE ISLAND'S FESTIVAL OF
THE BANJO
in all it's glory with concerts and workshops by featured artists and jam-sessions for all.
The banjo arrived on the shores of the Americas in the memories and ideas of enslaved African people. From a variety of shapes and sizes, it eventually evolved into a common form which spread throughout North America and the Caribbean, soothing the wounds and celebrating the rituals. Music is a balm to the soul and the banjo is the answer.
Come rejoice in the banjo with us!
A celebration of the one of the world's most beloved instruments
THE MONDO BANJO EXPERIENCE 2025
mondo_banjo_2025
Chris White, CKCU Radio
What an excellent festival that was! Congrats to everyone involved. I'm already looking forward to next year's edition!
-Chris white, Musician/CKCU radio host
Jenn, participant
I just wanted to send along my appreciation for the Banjo festival. I had a good time. You and your co-organizers did a great job of creating a warm, welcoming, fun weekend. The atmosphere created was just so nice, relaxed, well organized, acessable. It was nice watching you all work well together.
-Jen
Bruce Downey, Banjo playing architect
There are things in life that just make one smile. In Kingston watching people of all ages walking to Market Square with skates slung over their shoulder does that to me and now watching the
migration of banjos answering your call.
It's a human thing.
-Bruce Downey
Anonymous participant
The festival was amazing.
The variety of music was great. Warm and caring place to be for the weekend.
The amount of work put into pulling it off was apparent. Really great musicians and location. Thank you for
a friendly thoughtful weekend with banjos.
-Anonymous participant
Abdul, participant
Even if you don’t play the banjo, an admirer of the instrument will be glued to their seat for the entirety of the festival with such vivid and amazing acts.
The jams were plentiful; the workshops were fun and offered a lot to learn. The artist performances were masterful, entertaining and steeped in tradition.
-Abdul, participant
BANJOS
BRINGING
US TOGETHER
Photos from 2025 MondoBanjo Festival
The Artistic Directors
A Festival devoted
entirely to the banjo?
Once upon a time, Tim Posgate visited Wolfe Island. While skating around playing hockey, he was struck with the idea that this would be an ideal place to host a music festival. Knowing both Jason Mercer and Teilhard Frost live on the island and share a deep love for the banjo, he posed the question: would they consider creating a festival to celebrate this beloved instrument. They agreed without question.
Banjo like instruments have been around for a long time. The banjo we know today was born in North America and Caribbean, the culmination of many ideas, based on instruments brought by the enslaved people of Africa, are designed to meet the needs of the community. The banjo has been the cornerstone and foundation for countless music forms we still enjoy today.
MondoBanjo, or 'world banjo', was created to celebrate this much maligned instrument, the banjo, in as many shapes and sizes and musical styles as we can find. To promote awareness of the history of the banjo, to be inclusive and participatory, to have fun, to create a safe environment in which to have fun.
