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Copyright 2012
Boston Bluegrass Union
BBU Hotline: 617-782-2251
info@bbu.org
PO Box 650061
West Newton, MA 02465-0061
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Many thanks to all who took an interest in our first annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival Graphic Contest.  We received dozens of wonderful entries, making the judging extremely difficult since we could only pick one winner.  

We're excited to unveil the winning graphic for the 2012 festival. This design was created by Geoffrey Hewer-Candee of Lincoln, MA. Winning image is below.

With such a fantastic response this time, we plan to hold another contest for the 2013 festival.  Watch the BBU website, the NEBG list serve, and/or craigslist next spring/early summer for more information.

Again, thanks to all who participated.  We truly appreciate your efforts and your time in support of the BBU.

image

click here for larger image

BBU Graphic Design Contest Winner

Photographer Darwin Davidson announces the publication of the 2012 Women of Banjo Calendar, featuring many of the top female banjo players. Click the above link for pricing and order info. Click here for a flyer.

Passim Folk Music and Cultureal Center in in Cambridge, MA hosts workshops in Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, and other areas. Check out their classes starting in January 2012...

click here for more info..

Other Events/Promotions

Welcome to the Boston Bluegrass Union

bbuThe Boston Bluegrass Union is a all-volunteer New England-based bluegrass music association promoting and supporting bluegrass festivals, concerts, jams and bluegrass music education throughout the Northeast. We organize the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival in February as well as several concerts throughout the year. We also organize bluegrass jams and picking parties and support several bluegrass music workshops for children and adults. .Contrary to what our name suggests, we are not a labor or musicians union - we're just a bunch of volunteers working to help keep bluegrass music alive in America.

We also maintain the most up-to-date event calendar for bluegrass in New England, as well as collect information on bluegrass radio shows, bluegrass-oriented music shops, bluegrass instructors, and regional bluegrass bands. Check out our New England festival guide too.

Become a member, and you'll receive ticket discounts to all of our events as well as our bi-monthly newsletter "Bluegrass Breakdown". Annual memberships start at only $15. We're also a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and gladly accept donations to help us conduct our educational activities

The Boston and New England area is one of the "hottest" bluegrass music scenes in North America, and we invite you to come listen, learn, and play this wonderful music.

Stan Zdonik, BBU President

Starting mid-January 2012
Tony Watt Classes on Guitar
Cambridge MA

- Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar
- Beginning Mandolin
- Inter/Adv Lead Guitar and Mandolin
- Ear Training

Ongoing
RIch Stillman Classes on Banjo
Burlington, MA

2nd and 4th Friday
Boston Front Porch
Brookline, MA

Monthly
Kids Jam
Brookline, MA

more Education info...

JAM UPDATE:  The Groton Inn (also known as the Stage Coach Inn) was destroyed by fire on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011.  This was the home for the 4th Saturday (and weekly Wednesday) BBU Picking Parties for over 20 years.

However, The Real School of Music in Burlington, MA has offered to host the jam every 4th Saturday.

click here for more info on the new jam locaton...

click here for Boston Globe
article about the Groton Inn fire...

BBU Jams

BBU Education Events

February 17-19, 2012
Joe Val Bluegrass Festival
Sheraton Hotel Framingham
Framingham, MA

click here for more info...

Saturday, March 10, 2012
Seldom Scene
National Heritage Museum
Lexington, MA
7:30pm
$25 members (advance)/
$28 non-members

click here for more info.

Saturday, April 28, 2012
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
National Heritage Museum
Lexington, MA
7:30pm
$26 members (advance)/
$29 non-members

click here for more info....

BBU Concerts and Festivals

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Master Classes, Fast Track! Classes and Workshops 2012

We host paid Master Class and Fast Track! classes, held on Friday, February 17th during the day (before the festival begins later that evening). We also offer free instrument, vocal, jamming, and music business workshops during the festival.

Master Classes are intermediate to advanced skill level, and Fast Track! classes are for beginners and advanced beginners.  In 2012 we will have Claire Lynch on songwriting, Mark Schatz on bass, Darol Anger on fiddle, Jesse Cobb on mandolin,Greg Cahill on banjo, Tony Watt on guitar, August Watters on mandolin, Seth Austen on fiddle, Rich Stillman on banjo, and Beverly Woods assisted by Nancy Harrowitz on singing.

Workshop and Slow Jam schedule coming in early January 2012

more info on Fri. Master and
Fast Track! Classes ...

workshop schedule ...

directed slow jam schedule ....