The 2020 El Cerrito Free Folk Festival will appear online on Saturday, October 10, Noon-7:00pm. There are many familiar performers, but little or no bluegrass. This long-running event is focused on Northern California talent.
Your Amazon Prime Day Purchases Will Benefit NCBS/SCBS October 13-14
If you plan to make purchases during the annual Amazon Prime Day beginning on October 13 and ending on October 14, keep in mind that NCBS/SCBS (under the name “Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society“) is registered as a part of the AmazonSmile Donation Program. This donation program also continues throughout the year.
Details: Make your purchases through the Society’s link. Shop at:
<smile.amazon.com/ch/94-2907716 >
or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app. AmazonSmile will then donate to Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society.
Thanks for your support!
Local Bluegrass Music Is Playing Now On The NCBS GOF Group Facebook Page
Local bluegrass music from the long pandemic is playing now on the NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival’s popular Facebook Group Page. Coronavirus led to the cancellation of the 2020 GOF Festival, but the FB page is now full of unique local bluegrass music.
Local Bluegrass Musicians are invited to post their music on the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Facebook Group Page. For more information about the page, contact NCBS board member (and GOF festival director) Bruce Bellochio <Bbellochio@gmail.com>.
Enjoy!
NCBS Stolen Instrument Page Allows Free Self-Posting Of Missing Bluegrass Instruments
The NCBS National Bluegrass Stolen & Missing Instrument Page is linked off the left column on this website. This is a FREE Service for both theft victims and used instrument buyers that provides a central reporting location for the recovery of stolen or lost bluegrass instruments. Musicians should immediately SELF POST information about stolen instruments. Instrument buyers should CHECK the page prior to purchase of any used instrument. The page is searchable.
NCBS Acquires Zoom Capability For Online Meetings and Future Uses
The Northern California Bluegrass Society has acquired Zoom online capability. The software subscription will allow meetings and other future uses when in-person gatherings cannot take place. NCBS Treasurer Bruce Edmundson will be the Zoom-meister for the organization.
The Society continues to plan at least two in-person events for 2021 — the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair and the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival. The nature of these shows and the rest of the NCBS schedule for next year is dependent on developments with the Coronavirus. Zoom may play a role.
Time To Pick That Bluegrass Vote In California!
Bluegrass Folks deserve to be heard in the 2020 Election that is officially on Tuesday, November 3, but is actually starting right now as ballots arrive all across Northern California. If you are registered, look for your ballot in your mailbox this week. If you are not yet registered, do that right now!
Voting early is important this year, so there is no reason to wait around before getting your ballot in for counting just as soon as possible.
Bluegrass votes count. Thanks for your support!
August 8, 2020 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Online Is Archived And Available
The 27th Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Online took place on August 8, 2020. The performers were AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Goat Hill Girls, Brookdale Bluegrass Band and Mike Fisher & Joanne Tanner.
This program is available in archive form (see below). The Northern California Bluegrass Society staged the program without an audience for Coronavirus Safety. We all look forward to be back live and in-person next year in Tres Pinos!
NCBS Plans At Least Two Live In-Person Events For 2021 — Hold These Dates!
The Northern California Bluegrass Society hopes to have live events for you in 2021. Right now, we plan to present:
— The FREE Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair, May 2, Duck Pond Stage, San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz.
— The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, August 12-15, San Benito County Historical Park, Tres Pinos.
Please hold these dates!
A Friday & Saturday Full Of Great Bluegrass Music — All FREE And Online!
Friday and Saturday this week bring plenty of top quality online music from the International Bluegrass Music Association and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. These programs are FREE, but voluntary donations are accepted. Enjoy!
THROUGH SATURDAY, October 3:
International Bluegrass Music Association World Of Bluegrass Convention — FREE registration for music only (voluntary donations accepted). Friday music includes Bay Area-related artists Molly Tuttle, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, and Earl White, among many great acts.
SATURDAY, October 3:
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass — FREE. Voluntary donations to support the musicians are accepted. A concert with great “hardly-strictly” bluegrass and other music. The 2:00pm concert includes Bay Area-related performers Alison Brown, Laurie Lewis & Nina Gerber, and Heidi Clare, among many other great bands.
IBMA Awards Show Is FREE And Available Online On Thursday October 1 At 5:00pm
The top bluegrass show of the year will be available for FREE online on Thursday, October 1 as part of the International Bluegrass Music Association World Of Bluegrass Virtual Convention. The program will begin at 5:00pm Pacific Time. A pre-awards show gathering will begin at 4:30pm Pacific Time.
If you have not yet registered for the convention, you can still enjoy the pre-awards and awards show with a FREE Registration Option for those who are only interested in this and the other excellent bluegrass music programs. (The expanded Regular Convention Registration is also available.)
Go to the IBMA Convention Registration page for the option of your choice. The Northern California Bluegrass Society is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.