Bluegrass in the Blues

What: A very relaxed weekend of camping and spontaneous acoustical Bluegrass & Old Time jamming.

NEW for 2009:

The new location is at a lower (and warmer) elevation, located in the Grande Ronde valley of northeastern Oregon with great views of the Blue Mountains in all directions. The previous locations were at higher elevations in the mountains, where players got too cold at times.
A building where we can jam indoors regardless of any foul weather that may occur - day or night.
Dance on Saturday evening with three callers lined up so far.
Band Scramble to assemble the dance bands.

Where: The Fort Union Grange Hall, just SE of the city limits of La Grande. Camp in the grange yard or stay in a motel with just a short drive to town.

When: Friday afternoon, July 31, through Sunday, August 2, 2009. This immediately follows the fiddle contest at the Union County Fair on Thursday, 7/30. If you can't come for the entire event and live close by, just come for a day or whenever you can.

Who: Bluegrass & Old Time music fans: musicians, listeners, dancers, and families are very welcome.

Why: FUN!

Dance Band Scramble: Starting at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday the dance bands form, based on how many dances that individual musicians wish to play music for, and to have a balance of instruments.

The bands and callers decide on the tune for each dance. We want a variety of tunes during the evening - jigs, reels, plus two or three waltzes. Most often the tunes that work the best for dancing have 32 measures in the AABB format. That is eight measures for part A, then repeat part A, then play part B twice. A medley of two or three songs makes a very FUN time for all. Practice your songs, working out the intro to start, song transitions for medleys, lead breaks, and taking it out. When not playing, you may dance to the other bands if you wish.

Chat'n'Chew: Potluck dinner Saturday around 5:00 p.m.

Dance: Contra, circle dances, and squares will be called. No dancing experience is required, as the callers will teach all steps before each dance. Waltzes will be free style. Saturday from 7:00 p.m. until about 9:30 or until we drop.

Other:

Fruit cobbler served on Friday evening.
Sunday morning Gospel jam. Bluegrass Sunday worship at 10 a.m. with a message at 10:30 by Irwin Smutz, pastor of Oregon Trail Christian Fellowship. In the Grange Hall dining room.
The fiddle contest during the Union County Fair on Thursday, 7/30. Contact Val at 541-562-5873.
For other activities in the Grande Ronde valley click HERE.
For restaurants in the area click HERE.
For lodging in the area click HERE.