Thursday, June 11
7-9 PM
Vienna, VA
Born in the bluegrass of Kentucky and raised on Wyoming’s high plains, Shelby Means is one of the foremost bassists in bluegrass, with nearly two decades of experience in bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana, and country outfits. Now based in Charleston, SC, Means spent a dozen years in Nashville, TN. During that time she performed as a member of the notable GRAMMY nominated all-women bluegrass band, Della Mae. She later joined Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway on bass and vocals, earning her first GRAMMY win for their 2023 album, City of Gold.
The Hazel Dickens Song Contest 2026 winners have been announced!
The Hazel Dickens Song Contest celebrates the life one of the Baltimore/Washington region music’s most beloved bluegrass songwriters.
The Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition Contest honors the life and musicianship of one of America’s greatest bluegrass players.
2025 Winners Announced!
2026 Orrin Star Scholar Rita Perloff!
Congratulations goes to Rita Perloff who is the recipient of the 2026 Orrin Star Music Scholarship. Rita is a 14 year old from Oxford, Pennsylvania. Rita has been playing guitar in the band, Full Steam. Rita attends many festivals and Kids Academies. You can often see Rita and her fellow students busking around the festival grounds. With only 2 1/2 years of lessons, Rita is already playing solos! With her scholarship, Rita will attend the DelFest Music Academy.
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.
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Hank Dietle’s Tavern, Rockville MD
Blue Spruce https://www.bluespruceband.com/
Andrew Tontala • Barb Diederich • Tom Gray • Shige Takeshita • Dave Goldman
Timeless tunes, modern vibes, unforgettable bluegrass!
Blue Spruce is a dynamic bluegrass band from the Washington, DC area, known for their exciting instrumental work and smooth vocal harmonies, which features two-time Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Tom Gray.
3:00 am - 4:45 am
Lucketts Community Center, Leesburg VA
Tickets are still available to the afternoon showing of fiddle virtuoso, Michael Cleveland and his bluegrass band, Flamekeeper. Cleveland is a Grammy winner and 12-time IBMA “Fiddle Player of the Year.” The band plays with energy and joy, keeping bluegrass on fire! The evening show is sold out, but there are still some seats left for the afternoon performance. Gate opens 2 pm. Show at 3 pm. Advance tickets are highly recommended as show may sell out. Get them at
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
School of Musical Traditions, Takoma Park md
Every month Justin Heath teaches different classic bluegrass songs to help students take their repertoire and jamming skills to the next level. Each class focuses on melody, accompaniment, kickoffs, endings, and soloing ideas while playing the songs together as a class. All instruments and all levels are welcome! Register here: https://checkout.square.site/buy/4W22P3K4UKQODSPGCRLVGAEK
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Brewing Tree Beer Company, Afton Virginia
Me & Martha, authentic masters of Appalachian music making, blend folk, bluegrass, classic country and swing into a vibrant sound that is uniquely American. They’ll be showcasing bluegrass banjo, mountain dulcimer, autoharp, guitar, and bass fiddle. With over 20+ years and 4,600+ performances, their shows are filled with heartfelt harmonies, dazzling instrumentals, and plenty of spontaneous and often humorous banter. They are members of America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame. Virginia Living Magazine named them 2026 Top Wedding Band for a fifth year.
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
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