Bluegrass Day at the Fair. June 8th brought the annual Bluegrass Day at the Fair, sponsored by the San Diego Bluegrass Society and the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club, to the beautiful Paddock Stage at the Del Mar Fair. It was a great day with a presentation by 60+ kids playing fiddle tunes under the direction of SDBS Board member Mark Pullin and violin teacher Jane Frey. The youth program was followed by the traditional band scramble where musicians of all ages and abilities were randomly assigned to bands, given 15 minutes to work up three tunes, which were then performed them on stage for prizes. Topping off the day’s entertainment were 6 performing bands, including: Next Generation, Box Canyon, Rusty Gait, The Swept Wing Chicken Thieves, Old Town Road, and The Taildraggers.
Huck Finn Jubilee. Also in June, the 37th annual Huck Finn Jubilee was presented over the Father’s Day weekend. The festival was moved from its traditional location at Mojave Narrows Regional Park in Victorville to the Cucamonga-Guasti Park in Cucamonga.
There was a stellar lineup, nice camping on a grassy area (with other camping in a more rugged dirt area), lots of vendors and food, Huck Finn activities for kids, jamming, workshops, the arm wrestling championships, a zip-line ride across the lake, and other events and activities.
The main stage was beautiful, the sound was great, and there was good shade for those enjoying the show. Excellent shows were put on by, among others, the Hillbenders, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, the Travelling Rooks, Della Mae, and Detour. All in all, a successful first event at this new location.
Summergrass. The 11th annual Summergrass Festival co-presented by the San Diego Bluegrass Society and the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club is coming up this August 16-18 at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista. The lineup this year includes: Flatt Lonesome, Bluegrass Etc., Sierra Hull, New Found Road, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, and a host of local bands. There will also be a Kids Music Camp, vendors, camping, workshops, children’s activities and lots of jamming. For info and tickets, visit: www.summergrass.net.
Learn Bluegrass at a Slow Jam. Are you a beginning to intermediate player? Ever thought about learning to play and sing traditional bluegrass but have felt intimidated because it goes so fast? The slow jams instructed by acclaimed teacher Janet Beazley and sponsored by the San Diego Bluegrass Society may be just the ticket for you! Held every third Tuesday at Buffalo Brothers Guitars South (formerly New Expression Music) in North Park from 7:30-9pm these slow jams are $5 to SDBS members and $10 to non-members. You can join SDBS on site for $20 for the whole family for one year and get the discount admission immediately. Once you sign up Janet will put you on her email list, send you materials in advance of each session, and walk you through classic bluegrass tunes in every session at a slow pace
to facilitate learning. Stop by and check it out!
July is Membership Month at SDBS. The San Diego Bluegrass Society is designating July 2013 as Membership Month. You can join SDBS, or renew, during the month of July for only $15 instead of the normal $20, and that covers you and the whole family for one year. You can join for yourself or give a gift membership to a friend. This special offer is good only during July and only for a one year membership. Visit www.sandiegobluegrass.org for details.