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 Scott Burton |
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As we lick our wounds, and smile at the memories of 2007's good times, why not look forward to 2008? Alaska and the Pacific Northwest increasingly provide top-notch places to learn and listen to bluegrass and other forms of acoustic string music.
I began the new year with a trip to Portland, Ore., for the River City Bluegrass Festival. Festivals like this one provide workshops, jams, interaction with famous instrument makers, concerts by the likes of The Del McCoury Band and the Dave Grisman Quartet, and pickin' parties that last through sunrise with enough beer for a small country.
Here is a look at festival highlights for the year:
• Feb. 15-17: Frostbite Music Festival, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
Scott's advice: Make healthy choices at the Capital Bar; Alaska's own Joe Page and band will perform among others.
• Feb. 21-24: Wintergrass, Tacoma, Wash.
Scott's advice: The California Bluegrass Association room at the Sheraton and the Unofficial Alaska Bluegrass Association (which, for lack of organization and general debauchery, occupies the fire escape just outside the CBA room) are always fun spots. No matter what you do, do not slide down the shiny brass banister into the main lobby!
• April 7-15: Alaska Folk Festival, Juneau.
Scott's advice: Blah, blah, blah. We all know the drill for this, one of the finest music gatherings in the entire world.
• June 13-15: Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Haines Junction, Yukon Territory.
Scott's advice: Tent, bug dope, mosquito tent, sun screen, beer cozy, as much beer as you can get over the border.
• July 11-13: Atlin Arts and Music Festival, Atlin, British Columbia.
Scott's advice: Same as Kluane.
• July 24-27: Southeast Alaska State Fair, Haines.
Scott's advice: Get 'er done.
• July 25-27: Anderson Bluegrass Festival, Anderson.
Scott's advice: Same as Atlin, but more beer since no border crossing, and toilet paper. Also, I don't think there is any more free land.
And though I've never been, I'm told the following festivals are nice:
• June 19-22: Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, Colo.
• July 18-20: Darrington Bluegrass Festival, Darrington, Wash.
• July 25-27: Rockygrass, Lyons, Colo.
• Aug. 23: Sorrento Bluegrass Festival, Sorrento, B.C.
Wherever you may choose to go, or whatever you may choose to do in 2008, may your guitars have fresh strings, your beer be cold, your baggage not be lost, your checks not bounce, your hangovers be mild, the bugs gentle, and for the sake of (enter deity of choice here) may your banjos be in tune. Happy New Year.
• Scott Burton can be reached at sburton495@hotmail.com.
