DC Bluegrass Union – Information on all things bluegrass in the Washington area and beyond.

The Mike Aldridge Instrumental Contest Winners have been announced

Monthly Matinee Concert at the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse

Billy Harrison and Haywire

A DC-Area favorite, Billy Harrison and Haywire will perform on the historic Lucketts stage on November 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM. Come see their high-energy performance in an intimate setting and be sure to stay for the free Old School Open Mic following the show.

Info and Tickets

The 2025 Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest is now OPEN

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.

More information for the contest

Are you ready for the next stage!

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.

Calling on all bluegrass music instructors

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.

Instructor Directory Submission