The final Hickstival Festival, which will be a memorial for the late Pete Hicks, will take place as originally scheduled May 26-29, 2023. Pete’s widow, Lora Hicks Landregan, will be the host. The event was briefly cancelled but is now uncancelled. The gathering will be held at Bolado Park in Tres Pinos.
Author: Michael Hall
NCBS Will Gather On July 8 To Fete Members & Volunteers
The annual Northern California Bluegrass Society party for NCBS MembersĀ andĀ VolunteersĀ will be held onĀ Saturday, July 8, 2023Ā atĀ Loch Lomond Park (City Of Santa Cruz park) near Felton. The day in the mountains will feature bands, jamming, picnicking, friends, nature, & fun!
David Stafford, KKUP Folk & Bluegrass Programmer, Dies Of Heart Attack
David Stafford, best known as the longtime host of the Friday Folk Off program on KKUP Radio-Cupertino, died following a heart attack on March 21, 2023. He was 72 years old.
Stafford was a key player in making the community broadcaster the leading folk (including bluegrass) radio station in the Bay Area and Monterey Bay Areas. He joined the station’s volunteer staff as an engineer in 1990, went on-air in 1992, and did his last show a few weeks before his death.
Although best known for hosting his weekly Friday afternoon folk show, he began his tenure with a classical music show and was also doing a jazz program on the station in 2023.
He served on both the KKUP Board Of DirectorsĀ and the Program Committee (which he helped initiate), was Station Manager for several years, and was the station’s Studio Engineer for over a decade. He was a hard-working volunteer and fundraiser for the non-profit station.
The popular Friday Folk Off featured both recorded and live in-studio performances by folk and bluegrass musicians. Dave supported music events throughout the South Bay & Santa Cruz areas.
Susanville Bluegrass Festival Cancelled For 2023, Under New Ownership But Same Management
The Susanville Bluegrass Festival, previously announced for June 23-25, 2023, has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict at the Lassen County Fairgrounds in Susanville. A citywide motorcycle ride-in will occupy the fairgrounds. Organizers plan for the festival to return in 2024 at a new location, which will be announced at a later date.
The 12-year-old event was started by Gene Bach (at the recommendation of the Lassen County Fair Board by then president, Dan Douglas) and then subsequently owned by its landlord, the Lassen County Fair, and headed byĀ Douglas. Now, Dan & Cheryl Douglas will continue to organize the festival with the new owner, the newly-formed Susanville Bluegrass Music Alliance.
Brookdale Bluegrass Festival Survives Power Outage & Road Closures For A Successful Weekend
This weekend’s NCBS-welcomed Brookdale Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival was a successful gathering of bands & fans at the Brookdale Lodge in the storm-damaged San Lorenzo Valley. The early-week rains and wind severely damaged Highway 9 and left the area with no grid power on the weekend of the festival.
The event went on with limited generator power, and no lights or hot water for guests in the Lodge’s rooms. Bluegrass musicians and fans had a good time anyway. Outside performances enjoyed beautiful sunny and cool days while evening shows were held inside by candlelight.
The festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains was presented by Brookdale Bluegrass & The Brookdale Lodge.
NCBS Members Receive A Deep Discount On Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Tickets
TheĀ Northern California Bluegrass SocietyĀ welcomes allĀ new, renewing, and returning membersĀ as we get ready for festival season!Ā You can join or renew yourĀ NCBS Membership on this website or by mail!Ā Your support of bluegrass music in our area is much appreciated.
NCBS MembersĀ receive aĀ deep discountĀ onĀ Advance Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Tickets.
Upcoming Events Of Interest To Northern California Bluegrass Music Fans
Upcoming Events Of Interest To Northern California Bluegrass FansĀ
MARCH
24-26 ā Brookdale Bluegrass & Roots Festival, Brookdale Lodge, Brookdale. (NCBS welcomed)
APRIL
13-16 ā Walker Creek Music Camp, Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma. (NCBS welcomed)
18-23 ā CBA Spring Campout, Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Lodi.
21-23 — California State Old Time Fiddle Association Open Fiddle & Picking Contest, Lodi Grape Festival Fairgrounds, Lodi.
21-23 ā Berkeley Bluegrass Festival, Freight & Salvage, Berkeley. (NCBS welcomed)
27-30 ā Merlefest, Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC.
28-30 ā Two Day Town Campout, Lake Del Valle, Livermore.
MAY
11-14 ā Parkfield Bluegrass Festival, Parkfield.
25-28 ā Delfest, Allegany County Fairgrounds, Cumberland, MD.
25-29 ā Strawberry Music Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley.
27-29 ā Pick & Gather Festival, Riverdance Farm, Livingston. (NCBS welcomed)
JUNE
10-11 ā La Honda Fair, La Honda Gardens, La Honda.
15-18 ā CBA Fatherās Day Bluegrass Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley.
23-25 ā Susanville Bluegrass Festival, Lassen County Fairgrounds, Susanville. (NCBS welcomed) (CANCELLED, will return in 2024)
JUNE-JULY
June 28-July 2 ā Gene Bachās Twin Bridges Bluegrass Festival, Madison County Fairgrounds, Twin Bridges, MT.
June 28-July 2 ā High Sierra Music Festival, Various Venues, Quincy.
JULY
8 — NCBS Presents The NCBS Volunteer & Member Gathering, Loch Lomond Park, Felton.
28-30 ā Rockygrass, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons, CO. (Sold Out)
AUGUST
10-13 — NCBS Presents The 29th Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, San Benito County Historical Park, Tres Pinos.
18-20 ā Summergrass San Diego, Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista.
24-27 ā Bowers Bluegrass Festival, Bowers Mansion Regional Park, New Washoe City, NV.
SEPTEMBER
1-3 ā Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival, Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, Quincy. (NCBS welcomed)
26-30 ā IBMA World Of Bluegrass, Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC. (NCBS welcomed)
Brookdale Bluegrass Festival Is On This Weekend
The Brookdale Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival is ON for this weekend.
August 10-13 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Supports The NCBS
TheĀ 29th AnnualĀ NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass FestivalĀ is a benefit for theĀ Northern California Bluegrass Society.
The fun, friendly gathering will be held at theĀ San Benito County Historical ParkĀ inĀ Tres PinosĀ onĀ August 10-13, 2023.Ā
Tickets are now on sale.
The Brookdale Bluegrass Festival Is Set For This Weekend March 24-26
TheĀ 2023 Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will be presented by Brookdale BluegrassĀ &Ā The Brookdale Lodge MarchĀ 24-26Ā at theĀ Brookdale LodgeĀ inĀ Brookdale. The Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes the event.
