Finish the summer strong with live bluegrass music all over and around Connecticut! Want your event posted in newsletters? Share it to CTBluegrassAssociation@gmail.com or post directly to the public calendar! We need more volunteers to help bring Bluegrass music the attention it deserves.
Bluegrass in Heaven – September 15-17
Headliners: Blue Highway and Michael Cleveland
TONY TRISCHKA, MICHAEL DAVES, AND BRUCE MOLSKY * BOB AND SARAH AMOS BAND * NEWBERRY & VERCH * ROCK HEARTS * JAMCRACKERS * DRANK THE GOLD
- Located on the shores of Lake George, Silver Bay YMCA has a 700-acre waterfront campus that the festival will be spread throughout.
- The Auditorium at Silver Bay was built in 1909 and will be one of the stages during the event.
- Festival attendees will be able to stay onsite in one of our many accommodations. Camping and RV attendees can utilize local RV and camping sites.
Bluegrass in Heaven is giving the opportunity to bluegrass singer-songwriters to perform during the Bluegrass in Heaven Music Festival. Participants will be assigned to a stage (either the Boathouse or Chapel) and given 10 minutes to perform their original works.
All sound equipment will be provided and there will be enough room on stage to accommodate up to 3 musicians at a time. Click Here to sign up
Grass Routes in Ellington Sat Sept 9th
Come hear Grass Routes play at the Ellington Farmer’s Market on Saturday September 9th from 9:30 am to noon. The farmer’s market is located at Arbor Park, 33 Main Street in Ellington, CT. Come enjoy the atmosphere with 40 vendors bringing the best local and fresh farm products, fish, baked goods, and artisan wares and crafts. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy some good bluegrass music!
Bluegrass with Daves, Molsky and Trischka Poughkeepsie Sept 9th
The Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association presents Michael Daves, Bruce Molsky and Tony Trischka for a trio performance of bluegrass and beyond.
HVBA members: $25 / non-members: $20. Tickets at the door only. Complete details at www.hvbluegrass.org
Unitarian Fellowship
67 S. Randolph Ave.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Sperry Creek in Hebron Sept 10
Sperry Creek is playing at the Hebron Harvest Fair (Courtyard Stage) this coming Sunday Sept. 10 from 10:30-12:00p. If you have not gotten your fair fix, come for the show and stay for the festivities, including a flying trapeze, canine aquatics, pig races, an ox pull and axe throwing! Fair Admission is $13; parking is $5.
Mile Twelve Hamden September 10
Young Boston-based acoustic band with many awards and international acclaim. Come early to Cafe Amici for dinner before the show. Presented by GuitarTown CT. Get your tickets here
On the Trail Bethel Sept 13
Great listening room – fantastic food! Ticket reservation required: Get your tickets here
Bourboun and Bluegrass Lithfield Sept 14
Featuring the band, Wires and Wood – Tickets and info here
Hosmer Mountain Boys Sept 16 Orange CT
525 Orange Center Rd
Orange, CT 06477
12pm to 2pm Orange Country Fair, Orange, CT
Audrey Mae at Westchester Bluegrass Club Sept 16
Duet harmonies are a feature of the sound for Audrey Mae, this traditional bluegrass band from Connecticut. Peter Winnie and Joe Delillo are accompanied by Sam McDougle on mandolin – fiddle and Joe Lemeris on banjo.
33 Lake Way, Purdys More information can be found here
Old Time Potluck, Concert, Jam Friday Mystic CT Sept 22nd, 2023
6pm Potluck / 7pm Concert / Jamming to follow
Craig Edwards with Brian Slattery
Craig Edwards has been called ” a walking encyclopedia of American Roots Music.” He sings and plays fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and button accordion. Appalachian fiddle, banjo, and ballads, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Chanteys, Old Time Country, Swing, and Zydeco may be on the menu, spiced with stories from many years playing, traveling, and learning from musicians in the US, Canada, and Europe. He’ll be joined by Brian Slattery on fiddle, banjo, guitar, and trombone, along with special surprise guests like Harry Bolick and Pat Schories…and maybe others.
For Address, RSVP fiddlecraig@gmail.com
video:
https://www.fiddlecraig.com/music
more info: https://www.fiddlecraig.com
On the Trail in Darien “Barn Bash” September 23
Our fourth annual fall dinner event under the stars will include live music by On the Trail + BBQ by Fine & Dandy + Bevs from Litchfield Distillery + FUN! Raindate Sunday, September 24 Tickets here
Sep 23, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
The Mather Homestead, 19 Stephen Mather Rd, Darien, CT 06820, USA
International Bluegrass Music Association’s “World of Bluegrass Conference” September 25-Oct 2
**Cheap direct flights to the conference from Tweed Airport in New Haven**
Congratulations to two of CT’s own young bluegrass stars who wil be representing New England as selected members of IBMA’s Kids on Bluegrass Program” Red Day and Cody Voegeli
“The most important week in bluegrass” read more about this important week and all it has to offer here
Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival Returns on October 21
The 8th Annual Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival is coming on Saturday, October 21. Set
amongst the beautiful 380 acres of forest and fall foliage at Winding Trails in Farmington,
there will be music on two stages on Dunning Lake, with a beer garden at the beach
featuring free beer from local breweries. The festival headliner is Enter the Haggis. For the
better part of two decades, Toronto’s Enter The Haggis has combined bagpipes and fiddles
with a rock rhythm section to create a distinctively eclectic sound, praised by The Boston
Globe, The Washington Post and Canada’s Globe and Mail. Their songs offer singalong
melodies and deep, meaningful lyrics which tell the stories of everyday hard working people,
often faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Signature songs like “One Last
Drink”, “Gasoline”, “Down With The Ship” and “Lancaster Gate” have had hundreds of
thousands of plays on social media, appeared in Hollywood movies, and have been
performed and recorded by artists around the world.
The Festival also features Damn Tall Buildings. If you like your bluegrass served with a little
punch, attitude, grit and gravy, with that busking spirit that was so present and palpable in
the early incarnations of Old Crow Medicine Show and made your realize that string band
music could be so much more than fuddy-duddy reenactments by crusty ol’ relics, then the
Damn Tall Buildings will slide in nice as a welcome edition to your listening rotation.
Bluegrass at heart, but pulling from a wide range of influences including swing, ragtime,
jazz, and even a hint of contemporary perspective in the songwriting, they offer virtually
unmatched energy and enthusiasm, underpinned by intelligent songs that don’t skimp on the
infectiousness.
Also appearing on the main stage will be The Ruta Beggars. Appealing to traditional and
progressive acoustic music fans alike, The Ruta Beggars combine bluegrass and early swing to
create a timeless act filled with intricate vocal harmonies, fiery instrumentals, and plenty of
fun.
In addition, award-winning songwriters from local and nationally-touring acts will be
performing. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance for $25 adults, and $10
children at eventbrite or by calling Winding Trails at (860) 677-8458.
This one-day music festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to sunset and is rain or shine. Performances
take place in the boathouse and the Dunning Lake stage. Bring a tent in the event of rain.
Free samples from local breweries will be available, while supplies last. Food and additional
refreshments are available for sale or attendees may BYOB and picnic. Take advantage of
the scenic grounds at Winding Trails, with 12 miles of walking trails and disc golf.
Festival proceeds benefit Winding Trails, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing year-
round recreational and educational activities for the enjoyment and growth of families and
individuals of all ages. The festival is also presented by Lodestar Energy. ClarkHirth CPAs is
sponsoring the Festival Beer Garden. Thomaston Savings Bank sponsors the Main stage. The
festival was also made possible with support from the Wood-n-Tap, ION Bank, the Sounding
Board, and The Law Offices of Michael Freeman.
• Where: Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails Drive, Farmington, CT 06032l
• Price: Advance $30 (children 10 – 15 yrs: $10, under 10 Free)
• Info: https://www.windingtrails.org/acoustic-festival
• Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-acoustic-festival-tickets-620769848327
Workshops
Monthly Harmony Vocals Instruction September 11 at 7PM and every Second Monday of the month
Learn to sing perfect three-part vocal harmony in my harmony vocals school!
Weekly Mandolin, Fiddle, and Guitar instruction on Bluegrass, Country, and Roots School
Looking for Mandolin, Fiddle, or Bluegrass guitar lessons? The Bluegrass, Country, and Roots School is run by IBMA nominated 2023 Mentor of the Year Austin Scelzo. Drop in to a class or join the school for regular access. Classes are Tuesday nights 7PM Mandolin, 8PM Fiddle, Guitar class times vary. For more information, go to www.austinscelzo.com/bluegrass
Bluegrass and Old Time Jams
Ridgefield
Nod HIll Brewery, Sunday Sept 17 2:30-5
Katonah, NY
Katonah Public Library Sept 24 1-4PM
Wethersfield
Pitkin Community Center in Wethersfield. 30 Greenfield Street. Room S-3
First and third Tuesday of each month in Wethersfield. There is a $3.00 suggested donation to cover the cost of the room. All levels are welcome. Acoustic instruments only. Wernick jamming etiquette is followed (announce your song with key, etc).
New Haven
Thursday, Sept 28 (Fourth Thursday) Next Door Pizza, New Haven CT
Woodbridge CT
September 17th New England Brewing Co 1-4PM
Burlington/Bloomfield, CT
Yankee Bluegrass Jammers, every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. Location is either Elton Tavern, 781 George Washington Turnpike, Burlington, CT 06013 or Auer Farm, 158 Auer Farm Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002. To learn where the jam will be held, contact either Carl Salsedo (carl.salsedo@uconn.edu) or Andy Szpekman (andy@ahscommunications.com).
East Hampton,
Monthly on the third Sunday Dexter’s Tune, Tales, & Ales, Sunday, ⋅1:00 – 4:00pm
Easton
Second Thursday 7:30 – 10:00pm 59 Church Road Easton
Bluegrass Jam Camps
October 7, 2023
Bluegrass Jam Class at Jalopy Theatre
Brooklyn, NY 315 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
October 14, 2023
Jam Class @ Fishkill Farms Fall Harvest Festival
Hopewell Junction, NY at the Fishkill Farms Fall Harvest Festival
9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Jan 12-14 (Martin Luther King Day Weekend)
Connecticut Bluegrass Association 