Calling on budding songwriters. Shannon Leigh Reynolds is hosting a Songwriters Circle at 8PM on April 9 at Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville, MD.

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.

Congratulations to this year’s winners.

The Hazel Dickens Song Contest celebrates the life one of the Baltimore/Washington region music’s most beloved bluegrass songwriters.

Orrin Star
Orrin Star

DCBU is happy to announce the recipient of the Orrin Star Scholarship for 2025: It is Reed Alexander of Baltimore, Maryland. Reed is a 4th-grader who has been learning banjo from Alex Laquement — and already has the performance bug from singing on stage at the invitation of the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. With his family, Reed’s been attending the Charm City Bluegrass Festival from his earliest years. With a current focus on clawhammer style, Reed is intent on learning and playing songs from the whole range of bluegrass and old-time styles. We wish Reed happy picking and some special licks at his school’s talent show this spring!

The Orrin Star Scholarship honors the memory and generosity of a remarkable man, who lived in the DC area for most of his career and who was a friend to many in the bluegrass community. Orrin gained notoriety as a champion flat-picker and went on to enrich many of our lives with the warmth and humor of his performing and teaching.

Applications for the $500 award are accepted every year, beginning in the fall. Look for the announcement on the home page. Meanwhile, the program description is at https://dcbu.org/the-orrin-star-scholarship-program/

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.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Wednesday 03/12/2025 - Wednesday 06/11/2025
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
DC Bluegrass Union Songwriter Showcase
Hank Dietle’s Tavern, Rockville MD

8pm • No cover, but a suggested donation of $10-$20 is appreciated!
DC Bluegrass Union Songwriter Showcase
Host: Shannon Leigh Reynolds

 
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Wednesday 04/02/2025 - Thursday 04/03/2025
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
1st Wednesday Jams
Carroll Arts Center, Westminister MD

FREE jams on the 1st Wednesday of the month! Three separate jams: bluegrass/old-time, blues/folk and Celtic jams. All ages, all skill levels and all instruments welcome, as well as singers and listeners. Leaders will help everyone get involved.

Calendar of jams at https://www.commongroundonthehill.org/experience/programs-and-workshops/jams/jams

 
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Thursday 04/03/2025
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Mullin's 1847 Restaurant (Bluegrass Jam) Every Thursday
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
 
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Saturday 04/05/2025
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Howdy Bluegrass Showcase With: The Oldtime Cobras
Hank Dietle’s Tavern, Rockville MD

The Oldtime Cobras are a 5-piece youth old-time string band ranging from 13-16 years of age who are dedicated to performing traditional oldtime stringband music. Based in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, the band brings a unique blend of energy and passion to every performance. They were founded in 2021 and have since played at square dances, music festivals, small concerts and community parties all across the DMV.

*Free clog dancing lesson right before the show, 4:30 – 5pm, taught by local clogging meister Posey Eitzen!!

Big Howdy is a DC-based progressive bluegrass band featuring the duet singing of Dede Wyland and Randy Barrett.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-howdy-bluegrass-showcase-featuring-the-oldtime-cobras-tickets-1268012943849?aff=oddtdtcreator

 
Saturday 04/05/2025
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Josh Grigsby and County Line at Alum Springs Baptist Church
Alum Springs Baptist Church, Culpeper Virginia

Join JGCL for a fun night of fellowship, food and bluegrass music. Bring your friends and family as we worship in song.

 
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