Some great bluegrass action has graced San Diego in recent weeks, and there is plenty more to come as summer approaches.
Julian Family Fiddle Camp. The Julian Family Fiddle Camp was, by all accounts, a great success. Held in mid-April at Camp Cedar Glen just outside Julian, there were outstanding classes and instruction complemented by top-notch concerts in the evenings, which was open to the public. Capping it all off was a “flash jam” attended by hundreds in front of the Julian Town Hall. To read all about this great event and to see pics and video, visit: www.familyfiddlecamp.com.
Bluegrass in the Flower Fields. April also brought us Bluegrass Day at the Flower Fields with great music from Old Town Road, presented on stage, with a backdrop of the ranunculus flower fields of Carlsbad in full bloom.
Ramona Bluegrass Festival. Also a few weeks back was the Ramona Bluegrass Festival, held at the beautiful rodeo grounds in Ramona. There were two stages and great performances by both out of town and local bands, as well as vendors, a western village, and other attractions. This growing festival is starting to make its mark on the San Diego bluegrass scene.
Gator by the Bay had bluegrass. Just a couple weeks after the Ramona Festival, many bluegrass fans could be found at Gator by the Bay. Although predominately a Cajun and zydeco festival, there was a bluegrass jam on Saturday, led by the Thursday Night Pickers and a bluegrass concert on Sunday by Gone Tomorrow, with Sarah Petite on a different stage doing her electric thing. Many bluegrass stalwarts were on hand enjoying the Louisiana food and great music. Hey, they flew in 30,000 pounds of fresh crawdads from Louisiana, and steamed ’em up right there. Now that’s how to do a Cajun festival!
Bluegrass Day at the Fair. Coming soon is Bluegrass Day at the Fair, presented by the San Diego Bluegrass Society and the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club on Saturday, June 8th from noon to 8pm on the beautiful Paddock Stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. There will be a band scramble open to the public, a youth presentation with more than 50 kids, and seven top local bands presenting concerts. On the bill are: the Swept Wing Chicken Thieves, Prairie Sky, the Taildraggers, Box Canyon, Next Generation, Old Town Road, and Rusty Gait. Be sure to stop by and enjoy the action, and if you are a player, bring your instrument and enter the band scramble on site.
Huck Finn Jubilee. On Father’s Day weekend, June 14-16, the Huck Finn Jubilee will be held at its new location in Ontario. On the bill are some of the top bands in bluegrass music today including Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, and a host of others. Read all about it at: www.huckfinn.com.
Family Bluegrass Hour. June 25 will feature a special Family Hour at the regular 4th Tuesday jam session and concert presented by the San Diego Bluegrass Society at the Boll Weevil restaurant at 9330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. From 6:30-7:30pm there will be a special instructed jam session for kids, with an opportunity to play on stage for those youngsters who choose to do so. Families, including parents and grandparents, are encouraged to attend.
There is lots of bluegrass to enjoy here in San Diego, so be sure you get out and enjoy your share!