Sam Leslie will substitute for Ethan Ballinger.

Friday April 10, 2026 7-9 pm

Vienna, VA

Address will be provided upon purchase of ticket(s).

Food & soft drinks will be sold as a fundraiser for DCBU. BYOB

When John Cowan & Luke Bulla perform together, their shows reflect 25 years of shared history, musical trust, and genuine friendship. Blending New Grass Revival (and more) favorites with old and new originals, they pair masterful picking, rich harmony, and stories that are heartfelt, funny, and hard-earned.

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!


Orrin Star

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.

Thursday, September 24, 2026
Thursday 09/24/2026
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Mullin's 1847 Restaurant (Bluegrass Jam) Every Thursday
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
 
Thursday 09/24/2026
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Takoma Park Bluegrass Jam with Cherry Blossom Special
School of Musical Traditions, Takoma Park md

SMT holds a beginner friendly bluegrass jam every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. The jams are lead by SMT teachers and members of the band Cherry Blossom Special Nick Cameron, Mari Carlson, and Justin Heath. Bring your instrument and a song and don’t be afraid to take a solo. This is a free event but donations are welcome!

 
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Sunday 09/27/2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
SAM Jam - Sykesville Bluegrass and Americana Music Jam
Sykesville Gatehouse Museum, Sykesville MD

Every Sunday, 2-4 pm

Sykesville Gatehouse Museum
7282 Cooper Dr
Sykesville, MD 21784

 
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Thursday 10/01/2026
All Day

Celebrating Bluegrass through exposure, awareness and community involvement throughout the year.

Even though every October 1st is World Bluegrass Day our mission is to celebrate, share and inspire others throughout the year to start listening to Bluegrass music, start playing an instrument or travel to the mountains to explore the roots of Bluegrass.

Check out the mission at http://www.worldbluegrassday.com/

Join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WorldBluegrassDay/

 
Thursday 10/01/2026
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Mullin's 1847 Restaurant (Bluegrass Jam) Every Thursday
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
 

Membership

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