Thank you for another wonderful Big Thaw!
It seems that the weather has finally caught up with the calendar and agreed that spring has arrived.
In this, the spring edition of our quarterly newsletter, we’d be remiss to start without offering a big “thank you” to everyone who attended our latest Big Thaw annual concert. Held on March 21 for the third year in a row now at the Unitarian Church North in Mequon, this annual daylong concert never fails to draw an audience eager to hear what local bluegrass bands have to offer.
The bands this year — Sawdust Symphony, Sugarbush, Heartland Howlers and Flatcreek Highway — did their part to make sure everyone went away happy. And the audience itself even contributed to its own entertainment this year.
A “band scramble” allowed any musicians in attendance to throw their
names in a hat and be selected to join other randomly chosen audience
members in forming an impromptu band and perform a couple of songs
on stage. A jam room downstairs gave
parking-lot pickers further opportunities to take out their instruments, while volunteers made
sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink.
In short, it was the type of event that couldn’t have come off with a lot of help
from both within and without Badgerland Bluegrass Music Association.
A tip of the hat again to everyone who contributed. And if you’re looking
for other ways you can pitch in, please let us on the board know.
Have a great spring and summer, and we’ll see you out and about at some bluegrass festivals!
— Dan Shaw, BBMA vice president
BBMA Jams
If you’re looking for a good Bluegrass jam, look no farther than Mequon.
We used to jam at Dr. Dawg on Port Washington Road in Glendale, but the business was moved to Thiensville, where they still have great food. Unfortunately, there’s no floor space to accommodate a jam.
So we looked around for a new welcoming site and found one at Newcastle Place, 12600 N. Port Washington Rd. in Mequon. It has an ideal location right off Interstate 43 at Highland Road, just across from the Highland House restaurant.
Newcastle Place is a beautiful retirement home that offered us its Community Room, with cushy chairs
for our monthly jams. We play from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of
the month from October to May.
It’s open to the public for listening. The residents, as well as all of you, are welcome to attend. It’s not a “fast“ jam so we attract all levels of pickers, from beginners (who are encouraged to sit on the sidelines) to pretty advanced players. Some of us have performed in bands that have played throughout Wisconsin nearby states. We do it because it’s just loads of fun!
We have a list of musicians who come from as far away as Shawano in the north to Mukwanago in the south and from the West Bend area. Our “regulars” are anywhere from 5 to 15 musicians, and we come with our little list of songs to lead on our turns as we go around the circle. It’s a “safe” place to practice a new song or lead something that you’re sure others will know. We make new friends at the jams and we like to help others perfect their musicianship.
Festivals are a good place to hone our skills, too. The BBMA just put on its annual Big Thaw Bluegrass Festival at Unitarian Church North in Mequon, so if you missed it, look for it next spring.
At the end of summer, there will be some jamming at Bluegrass at the Village festival at Ozaukee County’s annual Bluegrass at the Village festival on Sunday, Aug. 9 . Great food, a beer tent and a covered venue (large tent) to protect you from the sun. Other venues to attend are: the Sugar Maple Music Festival at the William G Lunney Lake Farm County Park near Madison on July 31 and Aug. 1, looking at American Roots music. September brings us the East Troy Bluegrass Festival on September 12 and 13.
Our jams will continue for the summer, most likely at Pioneer Village for Flag Day on June 14 and Fire up the Forge on July 11. See you there!
Save the date: Bluegrass at the Village
From our friends at the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association
Two Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass festival members have festivals coming up in the next few months. Both are not to be missed!
Sugar Maple Music Festival
Friday, July 31 & Saturday, August 1
For ticket and other information: sugarmaplefest.org
Celebrating its 23rd year, the Sugar Maple Music Festival is a two-day family friendly festival in Madison that celebrates traditional music through performances, educational workshops and interactive jam sessions.
Gandy Dancer Bluegrass Festival
Saturday, August 15
For information: gandydancerfestival.org
And for tickets: ticket link
A full day of family fun, Bluegrass music, and food starts at 12pm. When you’re not at the main stage, check out all of the other free activities and downtown Mazo. There will be mini-train rides for the kids, museum exhibits, food, drink, and more! If you’re looking for a bluegrass jam, they’ll have that too!
Other festivals in June, July and August:
Flatrock – June 18-20
Blue Ox Music Festival – June 25-27
Larry Fest – August 13-15
Bluegrass in the Pines – August 27-29
And look for more information on these September festivals:
Midwest Django Fest – September 11 & 12
East Troy Bluegrass Festival – September 12 & 13
Two Rivers Bluegrass Festival – September 18, 19 & 20