Author: Michael Hall

NCBS-Welcomed Brookdale Bluegrass Festival Returns To Its Namesake Location At The Brookdale Lodge

The NCBS-welcomed Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will return to its original andĀ  namesake venue, the historic Brookdale Lodge in Brookdale. Note the new dates of August 13-15, 2021.

The Brookdale gathering will be held on the usual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival dates. The beloved GOF event will not be held this year, but will return the second weekend of August in 2022.

2021 Pick & Gather Bluegrass Festival At Riverdance Farms Is Saturday May 29 In Livingston

The 2021 Pick & Gather Bluegrass Festival will be held on Saturday, May 29 (Memorial Day Weekend) at Riverdance Farms in Livingston (near Merced). The event is part of a multiple weekend gathering that features farm and river activities. This is the only bluegrass festival during May 2021 in Northern California.

This FREE event (donations accepted, camping extra) is welcomed by the Northern California Bluegrass Society. COVID rules will be in effect.

The Line-Up: Fiddlestix, Eric Burman & The Brookdale Bluegrass Band, Cactus Bob & The Prairie Flower, the Pegleg Reza trio Thumbkin,Ā and BanjerDan Mazer. Jammers are welcome to attend to pick in the camping area (by reservation). It is possible that there will also be some music on Sunday morning. A schedule will be announced soon.

Campsites in the walnut orchard near the river access will be available over all three weekends. No individual campfires. Tents and small camp trailers preferred, but there are a few sites for RVs. Camping fees are $25 per night and $40 for two nights.
The farm will be open for weekend u-pickers on May 22-23, May 29-30, andĀ  June 5-6. Fresh organic blueberries, cherries and strawberries will be available for u-pick at wholesale prices. More fun farm and river entertainment will be available. All visitors need to make appointments. Call or text to 209-761-0081 or email to riverdancefarms@gmail.com. Address: 12230 Livingston Cressey Road, Livingston, CA 95334 (the well-marked farm gate is a half-mile northeast towards Cressy).
Enjoying the Merced River at the Pick & Gather Festival.

FREE IBMA Webinar On Streaming Licensing For Events Is Tuesday May 18 At 10:00am Pacific Time

OnĀ Tuesday, May 18 at 10:00am on Facebook Live, the International Bluegrass Music Association will present a panel discussion on Streaming Licensing for Venues, Presenters, and Festivals. NCBS is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.
Here is theĀ FACEBOOK EVENT PAGEĀ (Share with your friends and useĀ #IBMA365)
Ā 
Moderated byĀ Patrice Oā€™Neill, Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Wintergrass (and Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2016)
Dr. Richard James Burgess,Ā President and CEO of A2IM
Ashley Joyce, Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs at National Music Publishersā€™ Association
Robert Meitus, Partner, Meitus Gelbert Rose LLP and Co-founder and VP of Industry Relations at Mandolin
Rusty Weiss, Partner, Sidley Austin LLPWhile most discussions dealing with licensing focus on the artist or songwriter, this session will focus on people who create and produce events ā€“- both live, and increasingly more important, streamed or hybrid events. With the virtual certainty of some version of streaming being added to all live events, proper licensing has become murky and clear answers are largely non-existent. Weā€™ve assembled a panel of experts who will provide clarity for producers of live events with questions about how to and what kind of licensing is required in the streaming world.

NCBS members are encouraged to attend.

Current Status Of Upcoming Bluegrass Events Of Interest To Northern California Fans As Of 5/16/21

Here is the current status of bluegrass events of interest to Northern California bluegrass fans as of May 16, 2021. Some events will have limited attendance. Vaccine or negative coronavirus test may be required at some events. This guide will be updated as new information becomes available.

MAY

27-31 — Strawberry Spring Music Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Postponed to 2022.

29-30 — Pick & Gather, Riverdance Farms, Livingston (NCBS welcomed). Bluegrass music on Saturday, May 29. As scheduled.

JUNE

11-13 — Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Week 1), Telluride, CO. As scheduled.

17-20 — CBA Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Cancelled, will return in 2022.

17-20 — Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Week 2), Telluride, CO. As scheduled.

25-27 — Susanville Bluegrass Festival, Lassen County Fairgrounds, Susanville. As scheduled.

25-27 — Kate Wolf Music Festival, Black Oak Ranch, Laytonville. Cancelled. 25th and final festival will be held in 2022.

JULY

1-4 — High Sierra Music Festival, Plumas County Fairgrounds, Quincy. Postponed to 2022.

9-11 — Lost River Bluegrass Festival, Community Center Park, Merrill, OR. As scheduled.

15-17 — Redwood Ramble, Camp Navarro, Navarro. Postponed to 2022.

23-25 — Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons, CO. As scheduled.

AUGUST

1 — Jerry Garcia Day, McLaren Park, San Francisco. As scheduled.

13-15 — Brookdale Bluegrass Festival, Brookdale Lodge, Brookdale (NCBS welcomed).Ā  Note: To be held at original Brookdale Lodge location. As scheduled.

12-15 — NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, San Benito County Historical Park, Tres Pinos. Cancelled, will return in 2022.

13-15 — Mt. St. Helens Bluegrass Festival, Olsen Park, Toledo, WA. As scheduled.

19-22 — Bower’s Mansion Bluegrass Festival, Bower’s Mansion Regional Park, Carson City, NV. As scheduled.

20-22 — Summergrass San Diego, Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista. As scheduled.

SEPTEMBER

3-5 — Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival, Plumas County Fairgrounds, Quincy (NCBS welcomed). As scheduled.

17-19 — Millpond Music Festival, Millpond Recreation Area, Bishop. Planned. The decision about the 2021 event will be made on June 1.

17-19 — Pickin’ In The Pines, Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ. As scheduled.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

September 28-October 2 — IBMA World Of Bluegrass, Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC. As scheduled, virtual (maybe also in person).

OCTOBER

1-3 — Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. As scheduled.

NOVEMBER

12-14 — Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival, Everett Bowman Arena, Wickenburg, AZ. As scheduled.

Susanville Bluegrass Festival Is Confirmed For June 25-27 At The Lassen County Fairgrounds

The Susanville Bluegrass Festival is ON for 2021. The previously-announced festival was subject to review and cancellation by the owner, the Lassen County Fair, but it will now happen as scheduled on June 25-27 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds in Susanville.

The event is currently the only bluegrass festival confirmed for the month of June in California.

One Day Reminder: IBMA Foundation Raffle For Advanced Carbon Fiber Mandolin Ends On Thursday, May 13

One Day Reminder:Ā TheĀ IBMA FoundationĀ is raffling off the lastĀ Z MandolinĀ made ofĀ Carbon Fiber MaterialsĀ ever to be made. Raffle tickets are now on sale.

TheĀ Strings For Dreams RaffleĀ will end onĀ Thursday, May 13Ā and the drawing will be held onĀ May 14. For more information and to purchase raffle tickets, visit the foundationā€™sĀ Raffle Web Page.

TheĀ Z MandolinĀ is a beautifully handcrafted work of art and a modern take on the classic F-Style mandolin, a fully custom design inspired by traditional instruments. Advanced carbon-fiber materials produce an instrument that is lightweight, durable, and less susceptible to dents, cracks or scratches than wooden stringed instruments. The Z Mandolin is an ideal tool for the modern musicianā€™s needs. Its carbon-fiber body is resistant to changes in humidity and temperature, making it easy to travel with and easy to keep in tune.Ā It comes equipped with an elegant, custom-designed Calton Case, featuring a beautiful, pure white exterior and stunning pink interior. The case is rugged and road-tested, yet stylish and sophisticated.

TheĀ Northern California Bluegrass SocietyĀ is a longtime organizational member of theĀ International Bluegrass Music Association, which is affilated with the IBMA Foundation. NCBS PresidentĀ Michael HallĀ is a member of the Foundationā€™s Board of Directors.