Your Membership in the Northern California Bluegrass Society supports local bluegrass music in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay Area, and in all of Northern California.
This Weekend: The Berkeley Bluegrass Festival Comes To The Freight & Salvage
This Weekend: The Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes the 9th Annual Berkeley Bluegrass Festival at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, Friday, May 2 — Sunday, May 4.
There will be workshops during the day throughout the weekend, with concerts each evening beginning at 6:00pm.
FRIDAY, May 2
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, Tray Wellington, Fog Holler, &
Jesse Appelman’s West Coast Stringband Project.
SATURDAY, May 3
Mr. Sun, Dom Flemons’ “Shultz’s Dream”, Salty Sally & The Town Howlers.
SUNDAY, May 4
Della Mae, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands &
Bean Creek.
One Day Reminder: IBMA Foundation Banjo Raffle Ends April 30
One Day Reminder: April 30 is Your LAST Chance to win a 1980 Deering Advanced Maple Blossom Banjo and support the future of bluegrass music!
The 5th Annual Strings For Dreams Bluegrass Raffle will end on April 30, 2025 at 9:00pm Pacific Time. This year’s prize is a 1980 Deering Advanced Maple Blossom Banjo, generously donated by John Marchi and valued at $2,200. Mr. Marchi purchased the banjo in 1980, and he is the only previous owner. Raffle Tickets start at $20 each, with no limit on the number of chances an individual may purchase. Raffle tickets are available at this link:
Strings For Dreams Raffle Tickets
A cherished model among bluegrass musicians, the Deering Advanced Maple Blossom banjo features a stunning maple neck and resonator, delivering the crisp, bright tone that Deering banjos are known for. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a collector, this vintage instrument is a fantastic prize.
Every raffle ticket purchase helps fund the IBMA Foundation’s mission to foster the growth of bluegrass music through educational programs, scholarships, and grants. The Northern California Bluegrass Society is a longtime organizational member of the International Bluegrass Music Association, which is affiliated with the foundation. NCBS President Mchael Hall is a member of the foundation Board of Directors.
Raffle Proceeds support:
- Bluegrass camps and afterschool programs
- Educational bluegrass presentations in schools
- College scholarships for students focusing on bluegrass-related studies
- Bluegrass educational grants to help musicians with the expense of attending camps, lessons, educational supplies, and instrument rental/repair
- The Arnold Shultz Fund, which encourages participation in bluegrass music by people of color
- Bluegrass academic conferences, workshops, and research awards
- Educational resources including the Discover Bluegrass: Exploring American Roots Music and the Bluegrass Stagecraft 101 video series
- And more!
NCBS Members & Volunteers To Be Feted On Saturday July 12 In Santa Cruz
The annual NCBS Gathering Membership & Volunteer Party will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Live Oak Grange in Santa Cruz.
There will be jamming, bands, a potluck, and friends! NCBS Members and Volunteers will be honored! And…if you are interested in becoming a member or a volunteer, you are also welcome!
NCBS Welcomes The 9th Annual Berkeley Bluegrass Festival May 2-4
The Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes the 9th Annual Berkeley Bluegrass Festival, set for the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley May 2-4, 2025.
There will be workshops during the day throughout the weekend, with concerts each evening beginning at 6:00pm.
FRIDAY, May 2
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, Tray Wellington, Fog Holler, &
Jesse Appelman’s West Coast Stringband Project.
SATURDAY, May 3
Mr. Sun, Dom Flemons’ “Shultz’s Dream”, Salty Sally & The Town Howlers.
SUNDAY, May 4
Della Mae, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands &
Bean Creek.
Special Good Old Fashioned Festival Program Set For KBCZ Radio In Boulder Creek April 27
A special program about the Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival will be broadcast on KBCZ Radio in Boulder Creek on Sunday April 27 6:00-8:00pm.
The station is at 89.3FM in the San Lorenzo Valley down to Santa Cruz, and is online at <www.kbcz.org>.
Eric Burman hosts the Enrico Burmado Show, which is on each Sunday evening. NCBS President Michael Hall will be a guest on the GOF show. Live recordings from past festivals will provide musical entertainment and the details of the August 7-10, 2025 festival will be provided.
NCBS GOF Festival Number 31 Set For August 7-10 In Tres Pinos
The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival will be held Thursday-Sunday August 7-10 at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos. The 31st festival is a benefit for the Northern California Bluegrass Society.
Main Stage Performance Schedule
Ticket Information will be available soon.
Be A Volunteer At The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival!
Join your Northern California Bluegrass Society friends as we put on the best festival of the year! Volunteers are needed for the August 7-10, 2025 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival! Details are with the Volunteer Form on this website. The NCBS Gathering, held in honor of NCBS members and volunteers, will be held July 12 at the Live Oak Grange Hall in Santa Cruz. Join us!
It’s Festival Season! Time To Join The Bluegrass Society!
Your Membership in the Northern California Bluegrass Society supports local bluegrass music in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay Area, and in all of Northern California. Are you ready for the upcoming bluegrass festival season?
San Benito County Historical Park Upgrades Pending, Set For 2025
The upgrades to the water system, restrooms and showers at the San Benito County Historical Park are still pending as the county works out the arrangements. The work is set for 2025. We will have more details as they are announced. The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival will be held at the park August 7-10.