History This Summer: 25th Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Is August 9-12

History This Summer: The 25th Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival will be held August 9-12, 2018.

The festival at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos is a showcase of top California bluegrass bands.

The event benefits the year-round work of the Northern California Bluegrass Society in promoting bluegrass music in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay Area and throughout Northern California.

Free camping for tents and RVs is included in all multi-day tickets. There will be jamming, children’s activities, an open mike stage, shade over the audience area, food & drink, late night shows, and all of your friends will be there!

Discount tickets will soon be available on this website.

The 2018 Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair Will Be Held On Sunday Afternoon May 6

Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair

The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair will be held at the Duck Pond Stage in San Lorenzo Park, next to the courthouse in downtown Santa Cruz. The oldest NCBS/SCBS event will be held on SUNDAY AFTERNOON, May 6 (note new date).

The FREE afternoon of music in the park has been a Rite Of Spring since 1986.

Thanks to Ona Stewart for heading up the fair on behalf of the Society.

Los Gatos With Three Club Venues Is New Bluegrass Hotspot In The South Bay

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!

Riverdance Farms Set To Hold Pick & Gather Festival May 26-28 On Memorial Day Weekend

The Merced River, Riverdance Farms, Livingston.

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.

IBMA World Of Bluegrass Convention In Raleigh NC Set For September 25-29, 2018

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.

NCBS Welcomes The Thursday Bluegrass Series At The Summit House

Sunset over the Santa Cruz Mountains

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.

Plan Now To Attend The 25th Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival In Tres Pinos August 9-12

The 25th Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society, will be held Thursday-Sunday, August 9-12, 2018, at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos (7 miles south of Hollister).

The festival is a showcase of top California bluegrass bands and a fun, friendly opportunity to enjoy jamming and socializing with your friends. Free camping for tents and RVs is included in all multi-day tickets.

New This Year: Two indoor late night shows on Friday and Saturday will be held in the dance hall at the park’s historic village. Stay tuned for the news of an upgrade in onsite concessions. In addition, electric service at the venue has been expanded and street improvements have been made.

The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival turns 25 this year!