Celebration of Life at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival on February 13 at 1:00 pm. All are Welcome. Free and open to the public.
The BBU, in conjunction with the Hirshfeld family, is honored to announce that there will be a Celebration of Life gathering in Gabe’s honor at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival.
This event will be free and open to the public; you do not need a ticket to the festival to attend. The memorial will take place on Friday, February 13th starting at 1 pm, and will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton in Framingham (1657 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01701). The memorial will include lots of amazing music and remembrances of Gabe, and we hope you can join us.
Hotel rooms at the Sheraton itself have already been filled through the Joe Val Room Lottery, but rooms are still available across the street at the recently renovated Motel 6. Friday night rooms in the Motel 6 are only $75 per night (plus taxes and fees) and can be reserved by calling 1-800-544-4866 and providing the Group Confirmation Code: GP902SKFCG. Additional important details can be found at https://bbu.org/events/joe-val-festival/overflow-hotels/
The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund
The entire bluegrass community is mourning the tragic loss of Gabe Hirshfeld. At the Boston Bluegrass Union, this loss feels especially personal since we quite literally watched Gabe grow up before our eyes.
Gabe Hirshfeld was more than a gifted musician; he was the heart of the Boston bluegrass community. A bright presence defined by warmth, generosity, and an extraordinary spirit, Gabe had a rare gift for making everyone – from fellow virtuosos to first-time pickers – feel seen, heard, and welcome. Whether through his masterful banjo playing, his humor, or his quiet kindness, he embodied the very best of the community he loved.
The loss of Gabe has left an immeasurable void. To ensure his passion for music and his spirit of generosity continue to ripple outward, the Boston Bluegrass Union, in partnership with the Hirshfeld family, has established The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund.
The Mission: The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund will support the musical education and development of young banjo players while preserving and advancing the community that defined Gabe Hirshfeld’s life and work.
We invite you to honor and further Gabe’s legacy with a tax-deductible donation at the link below
Your generous donation to The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund is tax-deductible. The Boston Bluegrass Union is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (Tax Exempt ID: 22-2779696). If you would prefer to contribute by mail, you can send a check made out to the Boston Bluegrass Union with “The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund” in the memo line to:
Boston Bluegrass Union
PO Box 650061
West Newton, MA 02465-0061