Bluegrass Corner
Summergrass Is Right Around the Corner!
SUMMERGRASS AUGUST 16-18. If you’ve never been to a bluegrass music festival, now’s your chance to experience this wonderful American tradition. The 21st Annual Summergrass bluegrass festival is coming to San Diego August 16-18. Here’s what you can enjoy:
John Moore and Friends will headline.
• Top national bands: John Moore and Friends, Special Consensus, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Breaking Grass.
• Outstanding local and regional talent: Central Valley Bluegrass Boys, Vulcan Mountain Boys, Front Porch Music Preservation Society, Sweet Tidings Gospel Jam, Sherri Lee and Blue Heart, Chris Cerna and Bluegrass Republic, Corzines, and Virtual Strangers.
If you know bluegrass music you will know many of these great bands. If not, here are some tidbits to whet your whistle. John Moore is one of the most respected guitar and mandolin players of his era. Likewise, Greg Cahill of Special Consensus is the front man for one of the longest-running bluegrass bands ever and is an elite-level banjo player. All these top national bands have won awards for their music skills and prowess. In addition to these top touring bands, Summergrass offers a wonderful array of regional and local bands, strutting their very best stuff for you. The musical fare at Summergrass this year will be outstanding.
But, there is more to Summergrass! The festival is held at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, which displays antique farm equipment dating from the 1850s to the 1950s, most of it operational. You can expect to see wheezing and belching antique tractors and more. In addition, there is an onsite period black smith shop, an old school house, miniature train, a gift shop, and one of the largest loom and weaving collections in the western U.S. There is on site camping for RVs and tents. Informal jamming takes place all day and into the wee hours nightly, so bring your instruments.
Summergrass Kids Camp is always a highlight.
Summergrass also features its famous Kids Camp where youngster learn to play real bluegrass from the pros, culminating their experience with a performance on the main stage with their teachers on Sunday. Need more? There are workshops held by the performing artists, and vendors offering a variety of wares. Capping it all off, is a great offering of food at a reasonable price.
Even if you aren’t a big fan of bluegrass music, there is lots to do at the Festival. This is an event with fun and activities for the whole family. Here’s where you can read all about Summergrass 2024, including the lineup and schedule.
https://summergrass.net/lineup/
Ticket prices range from $30 for Sunday, to $40 for Saturday at the gate, to $75 for advance purchase of a three day pass or $80 at the gate. For ticket info and pricing:
https://summergrass.net/tickets1/
There are music fans who have attended every Summergrass since its inception (including me).
Bring your folding chair, your sunscreen, your instrument if you play, your camera, and good walking shoes to visit all the Antique Gas and Steam engine Museum has to offer. You won’t regret it!
Get involved in San Diego’s Bluegrass Community.
Believe it or not San Diego has a vibrant and very active bluegrass music community. There are jam sessions every 2nd and 4th Sunday, every 1st Tuesday, and every Thursday, at which you will be welcome, with or without your instrument. For details visit the San Diego Bluegrass Society and/or the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club, the two preeminent non-profit organizations promoting all things bluegrass in San Diego. You will be more than welcome at all of their events.
San Diego Bluegrass Society: sandiegobluegrass.org