This is Banjo Week in Punta Gorda- first at Gallery Walk Thursday.

This week Punta Gorda will celebrate the banjo with the Banjo Bash at the Event Center --- and on Thursday night Gallery Week will feature this popular American instrument.  

The history of the banjo can be traced to the Far East, the Middle East and Africa from very early human history when drums with strings stretched over them were first played. These instruments were spread, in "modern" times, to Europe through the Arab conquest of Spain, and the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans. The banjo, as we can begin to recognize it, was made by African slaves based on instruments that were indigenous to their parts of Africa. It was these early strumming devices that eventually led to the modern banjo in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.   For most of its early history the instrument was played by blacks —whites usually participating as observers.  What popularized the instrument more broadly was its use in minstrel shows prior to the civil war... then after the civil war, soldiers who learned to play the banjo to deal with the monotony between battles spread it's playing throughout the country as they returned home or moved west.   

Banjos will be featured at the second annual Banjo Bash this weekend in Punta Gorda... but first at Gallery Walk on Thursday.  

Here is the music line-up for this Thursday, both banjo and other.  

Live Music

Centennial Bank – Paul Cottrell, guitar and vocals

Florida Community Bank – Shell Creek Music

Jack’s Restaurant – Brown Suga Band

Big “D” Chicago Eatery – Andrew and Max – Banjos

Ice House Pub – River Rats – Banjos

Swiss Chocolate+ porch – Randy Hallenbeck – Banjo

Kay’s Kloset/Design Accent Interiors – 4 Leaf Strummers – Banjos

Sunart Gallery & Framing – Steve Caddick – Banjo

Harbor Style Magazine – Vaudeville Dudes – Banjos

River City Grill - Banjo Bash Headliners, Buddy Wachter and Johnny Baier.