Upcoming Bluegrass Related Events

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Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P’s Fried Chicken & Oysters

Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters 50 Binney St., Cambridge, MA

Bluegrass Tuesdays began in Central Square in Cambridge in September of 1993 and has since grown to host regional and national artists on stage and serve as a weekly gathering place for the local bluegrass community. For 27 years, Tuesday Night Bluegrass at The Cantab Lounge was hosted by Geoff Bartley, about whom reviewer Nate Dow wrote, “If Massachusetts were ever to appoint a Folk Laureate, the honor would have to go to the one and only Geoff Bartley." Geoff welcomed nationally-known bluegrass artists to the stage such as Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, David Grier, Missy Raines, Jim Hurst, Chris Jones, Molly Tuttle, and the late James King. Bluegrass Tuesdays have also been a place where many bluegrass musicians have met and “cut their teeth”, including members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, Della Mae, The Gibson Brothers, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Mile Twelve, and Joy Kills Sorrow. Bluegrass Tuesdays are now hosted by Tony Watt and held at chef Chris Parsons' restaurant Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters in Kendall Square in Cambridge.

Free
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Grain Thief Residency

The Burren 247 Elm Street, Somerville, MA

Wednesday nights in The Front Room. 5 piece stringband playing everything from bluegrass to old time to cajun to plain ol' Americana.

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Bluegrass Throedown at Nick-a-Nees

Nick-A-Nee's 75 South Street, Providence, RI

Bluegrass every week featuring local and touring bands from all over New England and beyond. Wednesdays 8:30 - Cash only bar, tip the band, too!

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Bluegrass Jam at The Bebop

The Bebop 1116 Boylston St, Boston, MA

Bring your instrument and play some tunes with this talented bunch of bluegrass musicians! Or just come to eat and drink at The Bebop Boston. Every Wednesday 9-midnight.

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival 29 Meadow Rd, Brunswick, ME

The 2024 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival is a second-generation Bluegrass Festival, and 2024 marks 45 Years of Bringing Bluegrass Music and Family to the shores of Mid-Coast Maine. The festival is a 4-Day event, starting August 29th, 2024. It features world-renowned acts and legendary late-night picking. It truly is a can't-miss event, where the Music Meets the Sea!  

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Concord Open Bluegrass Jam

The Concord Conservatory of Music 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA

The Concord Open Bluegrass Jam is a weekly, community driven jam session that prides itself in being an open space for local musicians and music-lovers to socially engage and create music together. Maxfield Anderson leads the group through vocal songs and instrumental tunes from a variety of musical traditions, including bluegrass, old time, classic country and western, blues, swing, and beyond. Musicians are encouraged—never required—to bring in songs to play with the group. The Jam is open to acoustic musicians including voice, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, dobro, bass, cello, harmonica, etc. and at all levels, as well as community members who wish to listen and enjoy the beautiful sanctuary. The Jam is open to the public. A $10 suggested donation is greatly appreciated! Thank you. July 11, 18 August 1, 29

$10

GuitartownCT Presents Kenny and Amanda Smith

GuitartownCT 166 Mather Street, Hamden, CT

For twenty-three years, this duo has been thrilling audiences around the world with their singing and guitar playing. Multiple IBMA award winners, including several best guitar player wins for Kenny, and best vocalist for Amanda. They played at GuitartownCT twice, the last time in 2018, and we are thrilled to have them back! Bring chair and refreshments. Outdoor concert at 166 Mather Street, Hamden, CT. Tickets $35 at https://www.guitartownct.com. In case of bad weather we will move inside.

$35

Sierra Ferrell

Roadrunner Boston 89 Guest St, Boston, MA

One of the brightest young luminaries in roots music today, Sierra Ferrell brings a dose of beautifully strange magic to everything she touches. Since the arrival of Long Time Coming (her acclaimed debut LP for Rounder Records), the West Virginia-born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has earned the Emerging Act of the Year prize at the Americana Honors & Awards, collaborated with the likes of Margo Price, the Black Keys, Shakey Graves, Zach Bryan, Diplo, and Old Crow Medicine Show, and enchanted audiences all over North America and Europe with her high-spirited and dazzling live performance. On her new album Trail OfFlowers, the Nashville-based artist expands her sound while deepening the urgency of her songs, often revealing a wealth of wisdom within her wildly imaginative storytelling.

$35

Michael Cleveland at Groton Hill

Groton Hill Music Center 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton, MA

From an early age, Michael Cleveland heard old-time and bluegrass music at local jams and festivals near his hometown of Henryville, Indiana. His grandparents hosted regular bluegrass gatherings at the American Legion, and at age four, he began playing the fiddle. He attended the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, where he learned the Suzuki method of violin. While he practiced the violin at school, he played fiddle at home. Cleveland had always dreamed of leading his own band and in 2006, he formed Flamekeeper, seven-time recipients of the IBMA’s “Instrumental Group of the Year” award, including Josh Richards, Nathan Livers, Jasiah Shrode, and Chris Douglas. In addition to touring with his band, Cleveland has performed with a legendary list of bluegrass greats: Bela Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, Vince Gill, and more. Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame. His recording Fiddler’s Dream was nominated in 2018 for a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album, and in 2019, he won a GRAMMY for his album Tall Fiddler. The same year, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. And in 2022, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship.