Bluegrass Festivals in the New England / Northeast this summer:

Mark your calendars for a season of Picking! Here is our list for the summer:

• Podunk (CT) Aug 5-9
• Morris Bluegrass Festival (CT) July 4
• Grey Fox (NY) July 15-19
• Crooked River Gathering (ME) Sept 3-6
• Jenny Brook (VT) June 24-28
• Blistered Fingers (ME) June 18-21 Aug. 27-30
• Green Mountain (VT) Aug 13-16
• Ocean State Bluegrass Festival (RI) Aug 14-16
• Roxbury Pickin N’ Fiddlin Festival (CT) Sat July 11
• St. Johns Bluegrass Festival (CT) Aug 26
• Ossipee (ME) July 23-26
• Basin Bluegrass Festival (VT) July 9-12
• Danby Bluegrass Festival (VT) July 23-25
• Planet Granite Music and Dance Festival (NEW!) (CT) Sept 19-20

For an even more exhaustive list click here

“Want to Sing Bluegrass Harmony? There’s an App For That!” Bluegrass Standard

The Bluegrass Standard is a respected online magazine and excellent source of news within the world of bluegrass- check out their latest article on a new resource available to bluegrass fans: a web based application designed to teach folks to sing three part harmony

Two veteran bluegrass musicians/educators have created an app that helps people learn how to create the vocal sound that is an essential element of bluegrass music. The name says it all: singbluegrassharmony.com 

The subscription based app features a growing library of bluegrass songs with accompaniment and harmony parts that can be isolated or played in any combination. The user can change the key and adjust the mix of the various parts. The song can be slowed down to study difficult passages. Peter Wernick, the respected banjoist and educator, whom Scelzo considers to be a mentor, has noted that the app is similar to Strum Machine, another teaching and practice app used by many bluegrass instrumentalists. 

Read the Full article here

Podunk Bluegrass Festival Lineup

Voted the best festival in CT in 2025, Connecticut’s only multi-day bluegrass festival, is set in the scenic hills of Litchfield County. Podunk transforms the Goshen Fairgrounds into a lively celebration of bluegrass music and community. From seasoned bluegrass veterans to emerging talents, the festival promises a weekend filled with stellar performances on three stages, camping, jam sessions, vendors, workshops, kids activities, round the clock field pickin’ and the warm camaraderie of a community brought together by a shared love for this timeless genre.

Get tickets and find out more here

Morris Bluegrass Festival

Come join us for a toe-tapping good time at South Farms. Get ready for a day filled with amazing live bluegrass music, delicious food, and a great community vibe. Whether you’re a bluegrass enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, this festival has something for everyone.

Grab your friends and family, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and get ready to enjoy some top-notch bluegrass performances in a beautiful outdoor setting. There will be Food, Beverages, A Hot Air Balloon to touch and, of course, Music!

The Morris Bluegrass Festival takes place at the scenic South Farms in Morris, Connecticut. It is located at 21 Higbie Road Morris, CT 06763. South Farms is a renowned event venue nestled in the rolling hills of Litchfield County, Connecticut. Read more about South Farms and its fascinating history here: www.southfarms.org.

Mark your calendars and get ready for a memorable day at the Morris Bluegrass Festival at South Farms. We can’t wait to see you there!

Tickets and info for Morris Festival Here

Roxbury Pickin N’ Fiddlin Contest

The Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department invites you to celebrate 50 years of bluegrass magic in Roxbury Ct! The contest is open to all ages and skill levels. This year, there is more prize money in every category, a new, covered stage, and an “After Party” that is sure to bring the house down!

The After Party includes a new vocal category and a Battle of the Bands contest, with a special guest appearance…

Ct’s own, “On the Trail” will take the stage for two sets later in the evening!

Saturday, July 11th, 2026

Everett Hurlbut Park, Roxbury Ct.

Gates open & Registration at 1:00 PM, Contest starts at 2:00 PM

Adults $15 Kids under 10 free

Too Blue brings swing inspired bluegrass to Redding for a dance!

May 15 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Swing Dance with Too Blue and Friends

The Granite Church 5 N. Main Street, Redding, CT, United States

Learn to swing dance with an introductory lesson at 7:30 – no partner required! Then dance the night away to the sounds of Too Blue and friends. Traveling freely between the genres of bluegrass, swing, Celtic and jazz, a Too Blue performance is a dynamic dose of serious fun. Smooth harmonies and adventurous musicianship bring stellar arrangements to life and leave the listener anything but “blue”. Tickets Here

Square Dance with Bugs on a Log June 4

June 4 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

$20.00

Square Dance with Bugs on a Log

Thursday, June 4, Doors at 7:30 PM, Dance 8-10 PM

Tickets: $20

Join CT’s own stringband with caller Liz Slade for a family-friendly, no experience necessary square dance! All dances will be taught by members of the band. Each dance begins with an inclusive lesson on all the steps- suitable for all ages and ability levels. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase.

Tickets Here

All Women Tribute to Hazel Dickens – The Hazel Project comes to Redding CT

The Hazel Project

Friday, July 31, 8 PM (Doors 7:30 PM)

Tickets: $25 at the Granite in Redding CT (5 N Main Street)

A “must-see” act on the Northeast circuit, The Hazel Project honors the legacy of Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard through authentic instrumentation and powerful vocal harmonies. They perform at festivals and venues across New England, bringing stories of labor, loss, and the enduring human spirit to modern audiences.

The Hazel Project, New England’s premier tribute to the pioneers of women in bluegrass, reached a historic milestone this February at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival. The ensemble was joined on stage by the legendary Alice Gerrard for a performance that bridged generations of traditional grassroots music. The collaboration comes on the heels of a breakout year for The Hazel Project. Following a celebrated debut at Thomas Point Beach in 2024 and a featured profile in the March 2025 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited, the band has quickly become a “must-see” act on the Northeast circuit. Featuring Betsy Green (fiddle), Gretchen Bowder (banjo), Whitney Roy (guitar), and Lindsay Lassonde (bass), the group dedicates its repertoire to the raw, socially conscious catalog of Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard.

Purchase tickets here

Gear up for Festival Season at the Alaska Co – Southbury CT Bluegrass Jam at Adventure / camping store

Gear up for the camping season at Alaska Company this May 23 and hear the sounds of banjo and fiddle in a free open to the public bluegrass jam sponsored by the Connecticut Bluegrass Association – love to sing or play guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro or bass? Bring your instrument and play a tune while you support local business. May 23 from 10 AM to 1PM

Address: 586 Main St S, Southbury, CT

Bluegrass Nights continue on Last Thursdays

4th or 5th Thursday of the Month (Last Thursday)

• Open Bluegrass Jam: 7:00 PM
• Granite House Bluegrass Band: 8 PM
• Free jamming afterwards
• Donations Appreciated

Join us for our monthly celebratory night of bluegrass music! Come to listen, come to jam, come to learn. Live music from the Granite House Bluegrass band starting at 8 PM, an easy, led slow bluegrass jam for beginner and intermediate players starting at 7:30, and late night jamming open to all. Banjos, fiddles, guitars, dobros, mandolins, bass, and similar acoustic instruments welcome.

Address: the Granite: 5 N Main Street, Redding CT