Upcoming Bluegrass Related Events

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Dry Branch Fire Squad

National Heritage Museum 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA

Dry Branch Fire Squad Saturday, March 12, 2016 National Heritage Museum (aka Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, Inc.) Lexington, MA 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm) $24 for Members $26 for Non-Members click here to buy advance tickets on-line via credit card. Entertaining crowds for decades, the Ohio-nurtured Dry Branch Fire Squad are now a quartet with one of their strongest lineups ever. The band spotlights the talents of Tom Boyd on banjo and dobro (who worked with Larry Sparks in the 1970’s and 80’s and was featured on such classic Sparks releases as “You Could Have Called” and “John Deere Tractor”), Adam McIntosh on guitar and mandolin and Jeff Byrd on  bass. As always, Dry Branch Fire Squad is led by mandolinist, lead singer and storytelling master Ron Thomason. The band’s music touches the deepest veins of traditional bluegrass and old-time sounds while Ron’s humor cultural satire hits harder than ever. Tickets can be purchased online or by mailing a check (payable to the BBU) and self-addressed stamped envelope to Boston Bluegrass Union, PO Box 650061, West Newton, MA 02465. The National Heritage Museum (aka Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, Inc.) is located at 33 Marrett Rd. (Route 2A), Lexington, MA 02421. Directions can be found at www.monh.org or call (781) 861-6559.

$26

Wide Open Spaces at The Blue Moon Coffeehouse, Rockland, MA

Blue Moon Coffeehouse 45 Webster Street, , Rockland, MA

On Saturday, March 12th at 7:30 p.m. the Blue Moon Coffeehouse in Rockland, MA features the bluegrass band, Wide Open Spaces. Wide Open Spaces plays "bluegrass without borders" with overtones of the Punch Brothers, Alison Krauss, Celtic jigs, Jimmy Buffet, Bill Monroe and the Beatles.   They combine the traditional sounds of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass with modern song-writing, jazzy rock-edged arrangements and tight three part harmonies.   A frequent favorite at bluegrass festivals, Wide Open Spaces is regularly featured at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, the Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival and Bluegrass on the Bogs.  Between sets by the band, there will be an open mic.  Tickets are $10 at the door; children 12 and under are free.  The address is Channing Unitarian Universalist Church, 45 Webster St. Rockland, MA, right beside the post office.  For more information, visit www.thebluemooncoffeehouse.com.  You can listen to the band on their website: www.wideospaces.com.

$10 – $12

Dry Branch Fire Squad and Potluck Supper in Wrentham, MA

Original Congregational Church of Wrentham 1 East St, Wrentham, MA

DBFS is one of bluegrass music's most popular groups. Their humor and bonding with the audience is legendary. Everyone is invited to the potluck supper after the concert; for that you can either provide a potluck dish or make a donation of your choice. You can't find a better combo deal anywhere! If you aren't able to see them Saturday night in Lexington or would like to see them again on Sunday, here's your chance. More info and tickets on website at http://www.musicatocc.org.

$20 – $25

A Night on the Edge!

Chelmsford Elks Hall 300 Littleton Road, Chelmsford, MA

"A Night on the Edge!" is an evening to support the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. The show is hosted by The Michelle Canning Band at the Chelmsford Elks Hall in Chelmsford, MA. Join us for an evening of great music, baked goods, and lots of raffle prizes all for a good cause! ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE ALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA!

$6 – $12

Southern Rail in Springvale ME

Springvale-Sanford Historical Museum 505 Main St (Rt 109), Springvale, ME

Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum concert series presents an evening of bluegrass with Southern Rail.  Classic historical building with wonderful acoustics for live music. Come early and check out the exhibits before the concert. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or at the door.

$15

Claire Lynch

National Heritage Museum 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA

Claire Lynch Saturday, April 2, 2016 National Heritage Museum (aka Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, Inc.) Lexington, MA 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm) $24 for Members $26 for Non-Members click here to buy advance tickets on-line via credit card. Claire Lynch has long been recognized as a creative force in acoustic music and at the forefront of women who have expanded the bluegrass genre. With her 2013 award, Claire  has now earned The International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Female Vocalist of the Year” title three times, as well as two GRAMMY nominations. Dear Sister, her new album released May 28th, was also nominated for IBMA’s 2013 Album of the Year.  Recently she was awarded the prestigous 2012 Walker Fellowship and $50k grant for her music and songwriting accomplishments. She has been a huge crowd favorite at Joe Val and BBU concerts for years. Joining her is two-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Mark Schatz, virtuoso guitar and mandolin picker Jarrod Walker, and mandolin, fiddle, and guitar powerhouse and 2009 Winfield national guitar champ Bryan McDowell. Tickets can be purchased online or by mailing a check (payable to the BBU) and self-addressed stamped envelope to Boston Bluegrass Union, PO Box 650061, West Newton, MA 02465. The National Heritage Museum (aka Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, Inc.) is located at 33 Marrett Rd. (Route 2A), Lexington, MA 02421. Directions can be found at www.monh.org or call (781) 861-6559.

$26

Claire Lynch Songwriting Masterclass

A Private Home In Waltham

Claire Lynch Songwriting Master Class: Upward Writing, The Songwriter's Journey If you want your song to engage the listener and impact your audience, what are the steps toward that goal? How can you communicate heart-to-heart and leave the "fluff" behind? In this master class setting we will deconstruct songs written and presented by the attendees and identify specific ways to elevate them. Due to the hands on focus, this class is limited to 10 attendees. When: Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 1 - 5 PM Where: Waltham, MA - location and directions provided upon registration. Cost: $55.  Registration:  http://www.forthesong.com/workshops.html For more info contact: [email protected]  

$55

Bryan Mcdowell Fiddle Workshop

Bryan McDowell Fiddle Workshop, 4/3/2016, 1 - 5 PM The Claire Lynch Band will be in Lexington, MA Saturday 4/2,  for a show with the BBU and talented band member and multi-instrumentalist Bryan McDowell has kindly offered to lead a Fiddle Workshop on Sunday, April 3! *Fiddlers', Intermediate to Advanced Level* This workshop will examine many components of the craft including soloing, backup, double-stops and bowing. Attendees will learn approaches to technique for stronger playing and explore goals in freedom of improvisation. *WHEN: Sunday, April 3rd, 1 - 5 PM* *WHERE: Lexington, MA - location and directions provided upon registration* *COST:  $40. * For more info or to register securely: *Bryan McDowell Fiddle Workshop <http://www.forthesong.com/bryan-mcdowell-fiddle-workshop.html>* A talented multi-instrumentalist, Bryan has amassed twenty-one first place instrumental competition wins including such notables as Merlefest (mandolin '09 & guitar '10), Galax Virginia's Old Time Fiddler's Convention (fiddle '09 and guitar '10), the Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Competition and the most notable at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. Bryan Bio <http://www.clairelynch.com/#!the-band/c1qo8>

$40.00

Mile Twelve at The Blue Moon Coffeehouse, Rockland, MA Friday, April 8th

Blue Moon Coffeehouse 45 Webster Street, , Rockland, MA

On April 8th at 7:30 p.m., don't miss The Blue Moon Coffeehouse's special Friday evening show featuring Mile Twelve! Mile Twelve is a fresh, hard driving young band beautifully walking the line between original and traditional bluegrass. Based in Boston, Massachusetts and fast gaining recognition for their outstanding performances throughout bluegrass and folk circles, Evan Murphy, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Nate Sabat and BB Bowness create captivating songs and daring instrumental pieces from diverse influences. They have performed extensively at bluegrass festivals including Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Joe Val Bluegrass Festival and Baygrass Bluegrass Festival. A track from their debut EP was featured on Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction's "Hand Picked with Del McCoury," another track was featured on Spotify's "Fresh Bluegrass" 2015 playlist. They were selected as formal showcase artists at the 2015 North East Folk Alliance. Mile Twelve looks forward to hitting the road again in 2016 and continuing to connect with audiences around the world. Here's what Tony Trischka and David Anger had to say about Mile Twelve: "Mile Twelve's instrumental skills reflect natural abilities enhanced by serious study of bluegrass tradition and a fearless desire to create fresh pathways. From the opening number of their new EP, it’s plain that their vocal skills are equal to their picking prowess. Their trio blend is as tight as it gets. Their duo and solo singing is equally praiseworthy. The arrangements often surprise with subtle twists and turns... delicious false endings, dropped beats, arco bass and fiddle duets, and on and on. Mile Twelve is carrying the tradition forward with creativity and integrity." - Tony Trischka "Mile Twelve has Bluegrass’ best interests at heart. Really good songs that mean something, picking that makes you … Read More »

$10 – $12

The Gibson Brothers

Belleville Stage 300 High Street, Newburyport, MA

The Gibson Brothers return to perform in concert at the Belleville Stage (300 High Street, Newburyport, MA).  Advance tickets are available through mktix (http://ww1.mktix.com/page.php?wpage=organizations/organizationdetail.htm&Org=MKT-92&refererid=bc) or at the door.  Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door; $10 under 18.

$30