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Entries for the Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition Contest will be accepted starting on August 16, 2026!

The Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition Contest honors the life and musicianship of one of America’s greatest bluegrass players.


Orrin Star

Applications Orrin Star Scholarship award will be accepted between Sept. 7th and Nov. 16th 2026!

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/

The Hazel Dickens Song Contest opens October 26th 2026!

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

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.

Thursday, September 17, 2026
Thursday 09/17/2026 - Saturday 09/19/2026
All Day
24th Annual Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival
Glen Maury Park, Buena Vista VA

Join Nothin’ Fancy, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Grascals, Chosen Road, Authentic Unlimited, Fast Track, Amanda Cook, Southern Legacy, Larry Stephenson Band, Dave Adkins, Blue Ridge Thunder, Pitney Meyer and the Malpass Brothers for 3 days of bluegrass goodness! https://www.nothinfancybluegrass.com/default.asp?loadpage=festival for more information, or for the ticketing link directly, that’s at https://www.itickets.com/events/483923.html.

 
Thursday 09/17/2026
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Bluegrass Guitar Class with Justin Heath
School of Musical Traditions, Takoma Park md
Thursdays 7-8:30PM: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8 (Jam Session), and 10/15
This class is designed to help aspiring flatpickers learn essential skills, concepts, and techniques for Bluegrass Guitar. Whether you are new to bluegrass guitar or you already play and you are looking for strategies to improve, this class will be great for you.
Learn More/ Register: https://square.link/u/ykIchSEX
 
Thursday 09/17/2026
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Mullin's 1847 Restaurant (Bluegrass Jam) Every Thursday
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
 
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Sunday 09/20/2026
3:20 pm - 4:00 pm
 
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Thursday 09/24/2026
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jam at The Farm Brewery
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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