Author: Michael Hall

Los Gatos has emerged as the new bluegrass hotspot in the South Bay area. This is a signal development in a part of the Bay Area that has suffered from a low and declining level of bluegrass entertainment options in recent years. The small city is located on the north side of the Santa Cruz Mountains along Highway 17 near the intersection of Highway 9.

Here are the venues:

The Cats — an old bluegrass venue from well back in the last century that has returned to form. Under brand new ownership, the historic (late 1800s) venue will feature regular bluegrass music along with fine BBQ, wine, beer and more, beginning on Wednesday, April 4 at 7:00pm with the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers. The Cats Restaurant & Bar, 17533 Santa Cruz Highway, Los Gatos, (408) 354-4020.

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. — an old bluegrass venue from well back in the last century that has returned to form. The historic (early 1900s) venue will feature regular bluegrass music along with excellent crepes, coffee, wine & beer every Wednesday night with an invitational jam.  The Goat Hill Girls will begin a monthly residency beginning on May 4 at 8:00pm. 101 W Main St, Los Gatos, (408) 354-3263.

Summit House — an old bluegrass venue from well back in the last century that returned to form two years ago. The historic (mid-century) venue features bluegrass music every Thursday night along with great food and drink and stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Next Month’s Schedule: April 5: The Goat Hill Girls. April 12: The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers. April 19: Blue Summit. April 26: Mountain Drive. Summit House Beer Garden & Grill, 23123 Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos.

Thanks to Robert Cornelius, bluegrass organizer, for bring these dormant venues back to life!

The Goat Hill Girls are set to play the FREE Thursday Bluegrass Series is held at The Summit House 6 miles south of Los Gatos, on April 5. The show is presented by The Summit House Beer Garden & Grill and welcomed by the Northern California Bluegrass Society. Good food and drink will be served. The music will run from 6:00-8:30pm.

Riverdance Farms will host the Pick & Gather Festival, set for May 26-28 on Memorial Day Weekend in Livingston (near Merced).

The fun, relaxed farm and music festival will feature a wide variety of music including bluegrass, plus blueberries, cherries, and strawberries for the picking.

Camping in the walnut orchard is available, while swimming and other Merced River activities will round out the weekend.

The event is welcomed by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.

The 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association World Of Bluegrass is set for September 25-29 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC. The Northern California Bluegrass Society is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.

Interested in being a part of the top bluegrass gathering on the planet? Here are some March/April convention-related deadlines to consider:

March 31: Last Day for Songwriter Showcase Applications here.

March 31: Last Day for Recording Reference List Submissions here.

April 1: Last Day to Apply to Kids On Bluegrass here.

April 10: Member Registration begins for 2018 World of Bluegrass.

April 24: Non-Member Registration begins.

The FREE Thursday Bluegrass Series is held at The Summit House, 6 miles south of Los Gatos.

The next program at the mountaintop bluegrass music venue in the Santa Cruz Mountains will be on March 29. The band will be New California Line.

Good food and drink will be served. The sunset is provided at no extra charge. The music will run from 6:00-8:30pm.

The show is presented by The Summit House Beer Garden & Grill and welcomed by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.

The 2018 Berkeley Bluegrass Festival will be held at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House in Berkeley.

The Northern California Bluegrass Society will welcome this event May 18-20.

Information & Tickets:

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, May 18-20

FRIDAY, May 18

SATURDAY, May 19

SUNDAY, May 20

The Pick & Gather Festival will be held at Riverdance Farms on the banks of the Merced River on Memorial Day Weekend in Livingston.

The May 26-28 event will feature bluegrass & more music plus farm and river activities, while onsite camping is available.

The event is presented by Riverdance Farms & welcomed by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.