Keeping up with the talent!

May 2 through 18, you can catch one of our bluegrass community’s young performers and his mom on stage acting AND playing music in Woodbury, CT. 15 year old, mandolin player, Cody Voegeli along with his guitar playing, singing mother, Bonnie Voegeli, have roles in a play called, Once.” You may have seen the movie a few years ago!  Bonnie plays the mother of the lead female character will make an appearance on the accordion!  Cody’s plays a young 20 something, has speaking roles (in a foreign accent), and will play mandolin and bass guitar. 

For tickets, click here!

Did you know?   Anyone can sync the CTBA Calendar to your smartphone!

Subscribe your own phone to view Bluegrass events in Connecticut anytime… You’ll need to copy this .ics file below and paste into your calendar under “add calendar” or “Subscribe” 

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/9udidejasru0p85e9m3vrb5vfo%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

For very short tutorials for your device, click below:

MAC/IPHONE: Icloud Calendar

ANDROID: Google Calendar 

WINDOWS PC:Outlook Calendar

Attention bands:

• Add your own bluegrass event with the webform, just click here.
• CTBA Member Bands can add events directly into the CTBA Google Calendar. See Austin for access.  It’s easier than you think!

Live Music

5/3/25

Saturday May 3rd is almost here and we know of at least 2 places to hear some bluegrass music this weekend!

At the Beer Festival at the Charter Oak Brewing Co. in Danbury, CT, there will be genre variety of bands, including the Angry Ohara’s who play at 6pm.  The event starts at 1pm

Also May 3rd… head a little east to Hamden for a concert with Missy Raines & Allegheny at Cafe Amici in Hamden, CT at 7:30 PM.  This is a contemporary bluegrass band led by a highly awarded bassist. Tickets are $35.

5/9/25

Wow! Del McCoury will be in Norwalk at the District Music Hall at 8pm!  More info click here

HOUSE CONCERT May 18, 2025 1:30pm and not posted on the CTBA Bluegrass Calendar due to limited seating.  Too Blue is honored to return to one of our favorite rooms, Louis Audette’s Sunday concert series. Sun. May 18, 1:30 pm, New Haven CT. Donation $25. These shows sell out quickly, so email to reserve, laudette58@gmail.com

5/22/25

Have you heard of Waldron Studio 88 in Mansfield Center, CT?  It’s in the historic Kirby Mill and besides lessons, they have open mics and a jam on May 22nd at 6:30pm!  For more info call (860)377-3285 or waldronsStudio88@gmail.com

May 17th from Noon to 9:30 PM is the 1st annual Fairfield Hills Music Festival in Newtown, CT featuring bands like Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team, Deep Banana Blackout, Austin Scelzo, Walker Russell and more!

May 30, 2025 Catch On the Trail at the Bluegrass Coffeehouse at the First Congregational Church in Ridgefield, CT from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. “On the Trail” is an award-winning bluegrass band with roots at Western Connecticut State University.  Tickets at: Onthetrailbluegrass.com

Bearsville Bluegrass Festival May 24

Saturday, May 24 | 1pm – 6pm
Bearsville Park, Woodstock, NY

One of the most anticipated events of the season is back.

Every year, over 1,000 people gather at Bearsville Park to kick off Memorial Day Weekend with a celebration of live music, local food, and community spirit — and 2025 is set to be bigger and better than ever. Get ready for an incredible line-up of Catskill Mountain Bluegrass favourites, including: On The Trail with Austin Skelzo, Catskill Mountain String Band with Bruno Bruzzese and more! Expect soaring harmonies, irresistible rhythms, and a crowd full of energy.

Alongside the music, enjoy delicious food and drinks, peaceful nature trails, guided history tours, and family-friendly entertainment throughout the park. This is more than just a festival, it’s a Bearsville tradition. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another unforgettable day in the heart of the Catskills.

Tickets for the festival are here

Join us and be part of one of the Hudson Valley’s favorite annual event

Bluegrass Jam Class (Wernick Method) with Austin Scelzo! 10am – 12pm.

Registration and information for Bluegrass Jam Class, visit: https://wernickmethod.org/event/as-2025-05-woodstock

Not Quite Bluegrass shows this month

May 7, 2025 Old Crow Medicine Show at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT. May 11, 2025 at the  Garde Arts in New London, CT will be Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

New Bluegrass Jam in Connecticut

Many have heard about the unfortunate discontinuation of Fourth Thursdays jams in New Haven at Next Door Pizza. Fortunately, a new venue has stepped up to host a monthly bluegrass jam! Small Batch Cellars. The First bluegrass jam will be May 15th from 6-9PM. Supporting this jam will help establish it as a monthly jam available to all in the North Haven Area. Address is: 37 Nettleton Avenue, North Haven, CT

More Bluegrass Jams in CT

Mansfield Pickers, The Best Dam Bluegrass Jam is held on the fourth Thursday of every month. Hosted by Waldron’s Studio 88, full PA (microphones and direct ins) provided. Coffee and water available, BYOB responsibly. Studio 88 is located inside the Historic Kirby Mill at the Mansfield Hollow Dam, 114 Mansfield Hollow Rd, Mansfield Center. The mill, built in 1882, is run on hydropower from the river it overlooks. Jam starts at 6:30 and typically wraps around 9.

Website: https://www.waldronsstudio88.com/Mansfieldpickers

— mansfieldpickers.com should redirect to that page in 24 hours or so.

You can sign up for the mailing list on the website or by emailing mansfieldpickers@gmail.com

All ages, levels, and instruments welcome. Plenty of room for spectators. Donation jar provided. Suggested collective donation of $60 to Studio 88 for use of the space and equipment (usually amounts to a couple dollars each). It’s a pluckin’ good time!

Please let me know if you have any questions! 

Teresa