Come join DCBU for the first in our songwriter’s rounds series at Hank Dietle’s Tavern. In January, we’ll be featuring some of the area’s best – Dave Zelonka, Seth Mitchell, and Gage Rhodes! Join us these excellent musicians trade songs and stories. More info at https://www.hankdietles.net/events/dc-bluegrass-union-songwriter-showcase
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
8:00 PM 10:00 PM
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
8pm • No cover, but a suggested donation of $10-$20 is appreciated!
January 19th 3:00 PM – Josh Grigsby and County Line
This fine Virginia bluegrass band is perhaps best known for the powerful and heartfelt vocals of its band leader, Josh Grigsby. Accompanied by his wife, Crystal, the pair convey emotion and poignancy when delivering songs.
Excellent bluegrass musicians round out Josh Grigsby and County Line. Enjoy bluegrass music performed with drive, great picking, close harmonies, and soul. Find out why this band is considered one of the best bluegrass bands in the state.
Youth 17 and Under FREE!
Support local bluegrass music with a donation and you’ll be included in our Year End Fundraising Raffle- weekend lodging and general admission passes to the SOLD-OUT Chesapeake Wintergrass Festival on January 31- February 2, 2025! This event features two days of great bluegrass, headlined by IBMA 2024 Male Vocalist of the Year, Danny Paisley! Of course, there’s ‘round the clock jamming as the ENTIRE Holiday Inn Express in Kent Narrows will be devoted to the bluegrass festival with no more outside ticket sales available.
This raffle is your last opportunity to be included in this bluegrass show!
Each donation to the DC Bluegrass Union of $50 gains one entry to win one of our two available rooms for the weekend. Increase your chances with $125 donation and gain 3 chances to win. Increased levels gain additional value for the raffle (6 entries for $250 and 12 entries for $500).
One of the rooms has been awarded. The next winner will be selected at our Hazel Dickens Tribute Show on January 24th.
Make your donation at https://dcbu.org/donate/ to enter to win!
The sold out room along with the ticket have a retail value of $355.
The Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest celebrates the life and muse of one of bluegrass music’s most beloved songwriters. Prizes each year to our winners recognize and reward bluegrass songwriters for their creative talents. DCBU is proud to honor Hazel’s music and memory in this way, now for the 11th year!
Hazel’s legend and influence extend far and wide, but her base for decades in the Baltimore-Washington area makes her our own. Hazel wrote of coal miners, unionization, hard times, feminism and more, and was soon recognized for her singular mountain singing style and her gift with a lyric. She received a National Heritage Fellowship award in 2001.
On the 3rd Sunday of each month from 5-7 pm, the DC Bluegrass Union will host our Old School Open Mic (OSOM) at Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg, VA.
One important aspect of DCBU’s mission is to promote music education. We offer an instructor directory so students can locate teachers in their local area for in-person instruction. Additionally, since so many great musicians teach online classes, we’re now posting information for instructors wherever they are located. To sign-up as an instructor fill out the form by selecting the link below. Your submission will be reviewed and added to our directory within a few days.
Jan. 24, 2025 7:30 PM at Earp’s Ordinary, Fairfax, VA
A Tribute to Hazel Dickens honors one of bluegrass music’s most beloved songwriters, who made the DC area her home. From hardscrabble beginnings in West Virginia coal country in 1935, Hazel moved to Baltimore, MD, as a young woman to find factory work and quickly connected with local musicians. She started performing throughout the Baltimore/Washington region and was soon recognized for her singular mountain singing style and her gift with a lyric.
For this concert, the DC Bluegrass Union brings together stellar local talent into a high-powered All-Star band, including Murphy Henry, Gina Furtado, Lisa Kay Howard, Sarah Larsen, and Bianca Bentz. The band is joined by some of the area’s most recognized bluegrass vocalists, including guest singers Karen Collins, Shannon Bielski, John Seebach, Shannon Leigh Reynolds, Emily Day, Randy Barrett, Carolyn Eyerly, and Ann Porcella. These talented musicians will wow you with their renditions of songs written or recorded by Hazel Dickens. Rounding out the list of vocalists is the evening’s special guest, Dede Wyland! Dede’s pure and compelling voice has enchanted audiences around the globe.
Link for more information and tickets
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Mansion at O St, Washington DC
Close to Dupont Circle on Metro’s red line.
Contact: Malcolm Versel at maversel@gmail.com or Ben Schifman at ben.schifman@gmail.com. Information is also available in the Facebook Group
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sykesville Gatehouse Museum, Sykesville MD
Every Sunday, 2-4 pm
Sykesville Gatehouse Museum
7282 Cooper Dr
Sykesville, MD 21784
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Pine Hall Lutheran Church, State College PA
A great place for beginners to get started. Music stands OK. Admission free. Donations encouraged to defray costs of utilities and coffee. Participants are encouraged to bring potluck goodies (cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, etc) for the 10-15 minute break at 8:30 pm.
Contact: 814-883-0287 or askrug@comcast.net
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Happy Harbor Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, Deale MD
Acoustic open mic at
Happy Harbor Waterfront Bar and Restaurant
533 Deale Road, Deale, MD 20751
Every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm.
No cover, great food available.
Contact: Mike Siegert at mjsiegert@gmail.com for more info.
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Broad Run (Haymarket) Virginia/Prince William County
Open Bluegrass jam. All levels (multiple circles). The Farm Brewery at Broad Run is on a spacious, well laid out, farm with food and beverages available. The jam is held on the SECOND and FOURTH Thursdays. There is ample parking and a friendly staff. The Farm Brewery closes at 9:00 PM, hence, jam hours are 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
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