May 2008 Announcements

Festival Season is almost here!  NOW’s the time to get out your calendar, buy your advance tickets and make your
campground reservations!  Check out our
Festival Page here and plan your summer.  

Note: There will be no Woodchase Condo jam this month, since it conflicts with the Orrin Star Mandolin Workshop.  We try
not to cross-schedule things---we want you to be able to enjoy ALL opportunities to play and listen to bluegrass music!  

Crafters Wanted!  Are you (or do you know) a woodworker, quilter, toy maker or candle maker?  We are seeking crafters
and artists who produce “old timey” crafts to display at our “Americana Celebration” on July 5 at Wingfield Park.  The City
of Reno estimates that 8 to 10 thousand people will attend this event!  So reserve your booth space now!  Go
here for a
booth application form.  

May, 2008 Calendar

Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings – jams with Celtic, Irish and Scottish flavors (these are the roots of bluegrass,
after all!).  Sunday afternoon jams are at the Auld Dubliner Pub in Squaw Village, north shore of Lake Tahoe.  Thursday
evenings are at Murphy’s Irish Pub at South Shore.  Email to confirm before you make the drive!  
bevp@inreach.com

Friday – Sunday, May 9-11  “Spring Wings” Bird Festival in Fallon featuring live music, including bluegrass pickin’ at Oats
Park.  More info:
http://www.springwings.org/

Saturday,  May 10, 7:30pm Plumas Park Gym, 475 Monroe St., just off Plumas, 6 blocks south of California St.  Contra
Dance with live fiddle tunes played by “The Jig’s Up” with caller, George Grover.  The dance fee is $10.00.  Sponsored by
the
Sierra Contra Dance Society.  If you’ve never danced this style of “line” or “group” dance, come at 7:00 for a quick
lesson.  Wear sneakers!  It’s a blast!  More info at 775-240-6117.

Saturday May 17, 3:30-5:30pm  “BLUEGRASS RHYTHM GUITAR” Workshop with Orrin Star.  Bluegrass guitarists have
developed some of the most potent and interesting rhythm moves ever heard—but they are seldom taught in an organized
way. This workshop takes a hands-on, detailed and entertaining look at them. Learn the cool bass runs and strums and how
to apply them. If you strum folk, bluegrass or country music on an acoustic guitar this workshop is for you.  Advance
registration required.  $50.  To register contact Joyce via
juice421@sbcglobal.net or 775-722-9877.

Saturday, May 17, 7:30pm  House concert featuring Orrin Star.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see this former National
Flatpicking champ and "Prairie Home Companion" alum who was once described as "Arlo-Guthrie-meets-Doc-Watson".  At
the home of Joyce and Dave Furlong, 145 Thomas Ave.  Reno.  More info, contact Joyce via
juice421@sbcglobal.net or
775-722-9877.

Sunday May 18, “MANDO WORKSHOP DAY” Two mandolin workshops with Orrin Star.  
First workshop, 10:30am-12:30pm will be WALTZ-TIME, TREMOLO & COOL CHORDS-- Learn the famous, “Ashokan
Farewell”,  the sublime waltz whose haunting melody is a perfect tremolo vehicle and whose exotic yet accessible chord
structure is very gratifying to play.  $45.  Advance registration required.   
The second workshop will be at 2:00-4:00pm, “MAKING YOUR MANDO SING”-- One of the hurdles facing
mandolinists on the road from memorizing solos to making music is learning to incorporate rhythm moves into their leads.
Using the classic song New River Train, this workshop will give you a tool-kit of strums and double-stops that can be used
to transform a simple vocal melody into a full-sounding mandolin solo.  $45.  Advance registration required.   To register for
either or both of these workshops, contact Joyce via
juice421@sbcglobal.net or 775-722-9877.  

Friday, May 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pm  "Slow Jam" at Cindy Gray’s house.  All pickers welcome!  This jam is for folks who have
a basic knowledge of bluegrass music, who want to work on "hot licks" or learn new songs.  We stick to a moderate tempo,
but still try to keep it challenging.  Call 775-348-4692 for info or directions.

Friday, May 24, 7-9pm, Comma Coffee House, 312 S Carson St. Carson City (just across from the Legislature).  
Celtic/American Tune Session.  Focus will be on the repertoire of “traditional” Celtic/American fiddle tunes.  Open to players
of acoustic melody instruments such as fiddle, mandolin, hammer dulcimer, tenor banjo, lead guitar, penny whistle, Irish
flute, etc.  Please review the session guidelines at
http://members.aol.com/cdadbayer/GUIDELINES.pdf  More info:
cdadbayer@aol.com

May 30 - June 1, “Bluegrass Retreat at Lost Trail Lodge”  Come up the “Lost Trail” for an incredible bluegrass experience!  
More info
here.  

--------------------------------
If you can’t make it to one of our jams or concerts, get your bluegrass fix on the radio!  We’re very lucky to have 3 great
radio shows here in northern Nevada that feature bluegrass music:

The Risky Biscuit Hayseed Hoot with Don Darue, Saturday mornings, 8:00-10:00am  FM 100.1 KTHX, The X.  Dondo
plays music that will definitely put the twang back in your thang!  Check out his
new website here.   

AND
Jimbos Juke Joint & Acoustic Roadhouse Café.  Sunday afternoons, 3:00-5:00 pm, FM 88.7 KUNR.  Jimbo showcases his
incredible collection of bluegrass and eclectic acoustic recordings---everything under the bluegrass sun (and then some!).  
We like to think of it as JimboGrass!

AND
Into The Blue, nationally syndicated bluegrass radio show hosted by Terry Herd, Saturdays and Sundays at noon on AM
750, KHWG.  Check out the website for this great show --
www.bluegrassradio.com/index.html