June is a great month for bluegrass music in San Diego. Here are some tasty, top notch opportunities to enjoy bluegrass this month.
Bluegrass Day at the Fair, Sunday, June 4, 11 am—8 pm at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on the Paddock Stage. Â
For years the County Fairgrounds, the San Diego Bluegrass Society, and the North County Bluegrass and Folk Club have collaborated to present a day of great bluegrass music and related activities as part of the Del Mar Fair. This year’s event brings seven top bands, a youth performance, a demonstration of old time fiddling, and an exciting band scramble. Here’s the schedule for the day and a bit more about the activities.
SCHEDULE
11am: Sunny Side Strings in concert
noon: Youth Performance by talented youngsters age 5-16 performing bluegrass and fiddle tunes on fiddles, with a viola, cello, bass, and a guitar or two stirred in, all under the direction of their instructors.
12:20pm: The Virtual Strangers in concert
1:15pm: Old Time Fiddling demonstration presented by top fiddlers from the California State Old Time Fiddlers Association, District 7 (San Diego)
1:50pm: Desperado in concert
2:40pm: BAND SCRAMBLE. The event is open to all ages and abilities, age 6-100, beginner to expert. Put your name and the instrument you play on a slip of paper, drop it in a hat, and names are drawn at random to form bands. Each band has about 15 minutes to meet, select a name (get creative here), and work up two to three songs to perform on stage. The bands then perform on stage for our judges and audience applause. Winners are selected on each instrument–for best male and female vocalist, best youth, and, of course, best band, with prizes awarded. Bring your instrument and sign up on site any time before 1:30pm. Entering the scramble is free, but you will need to pay for admission to the fair.
4:15pm: Front Porch Music Preservation Society in concert
5:05pm: Band Scramble winner announcements
5:20pm: Volcan Mountain Boys in concert
6:15pm: Rusty Gait in concert
7:10pm: Gone Tomorrow in concert
8pm: END
Also happening this June are the Route 66 Bluegrass Festival at the County Fairgrounds in Victorville, held over the weekend of June 15—18. The Route 66 event has a great lineup. Check it all out online at: route66blluegrass.com. If you are up for a bit more travel, you might consider the California Bluegrass Association’s Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley, California. This signature event is also held on the weekend of June 15—18. As usual, there is a stellar line up of bands and activities. Read about it online here: fathersdayfestival.com.
Not up for travel or for the fair? Attend one of San Diego’s June local events. The North County Bluegrass and Folk Club will be at the Round Table Pizza, corner of Washington and Ash, in Escondido, on Tuesday, June 6. from 6:30 to 9 pm, with lots of jamming, pick-up bands, and a featured band in concert from 8—9 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
The SDBS will be at the Fuddruckers Restaurant in Grossmont Center at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive from 6:30—9pm with open mic and pick-up bands, along with lots of jamming on the patio. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. The SDBS will then be at the Boll Weevil Restaurant at 9330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd (corner of Ruffin Road) on Tuesday, June 27, with an open mic and pick up bands from 6:30—8pm and presenting the North County band Front Porch Music Preservation Society in concert from 8—9pm. There is also jamming outside. Admission is free (donations requested) and the event is open to the public.
There’s lots to see and do this June, so plan ahead. Put down that cell phone long enough to get out and enjoy some great local bluegrass music!
