There's something old, something new and a little jamming for everyone at the eighth annual Brackendale Bluegrass Festival April 30 and May 1.
Brackendale Art Gallery owner Thor Froslev hosts the weekend's events, which attracts musicians from the area and the Lower Mainland for some knee-slapping, toe-tapping fun.
Local musician Cam Salay was again tasked with booking the acts this year, and he's gathered top names in the genre for performances and jamming sessions.
"A lot of people said 'We need more jamming,' so that's what we're doing this year," said Salay.
The two-day festival begins Friday, April 30, with a band that's been making waves here and in Europe for its unique West Coast folk tunes.
Headwater is described as a freewheeling, fierce, sentimental and sexy quartet, which has earned a reputation as one of the finest acoustic roots groups around the old-fashioned way.
With hooks, driving rhythms, adventurous steel guitar and mandolin solos, and three-part vocal harmonies all featured in tight, concise under four-minute songs, they found fans fast while criss-crossing the country after forming in 2001. They're also known as hard-workers, roping audiences in by street busking before gigs rather than hanging out waiting for crowds to come to them.
Also on Friday, newly-formed Vancouver band Backspin makes it first attempt at impressing Squamish audiences with a fresh take on a traditional form of music.
The popular jam session portion of the festival takes place Saturday May 1 at 4 :30 p.m. when Sue Malcolm and Highrise Lonesome bring their well-establish Slow Pitch jam to the gallery.
Malcolm said the afternoon jam is exactly what it sounds like: A way for beginners interested in bluegrass and acoustic folk music to learn the basics of jamming in a structured.
"[It offers] a low pressure setting with experts leading the way but with a safety in numbers setting so you can get your chops honed free of any embarrassments," she said.
On the evening of May 1, Highrise Lonesome delivers its unique blend of bluegrass and roots music. Vocals are a major part of the sound, with the duet singing of Malcolm and Vic Smyth as the centrepiece.
Also taking the BAG stage the evening of May 1 is 5 on a String.
The self-professed old-timers perform standards, old and new as well as a variety of original songs. The band's style takes an old time radio show approach with the six-member band playing over one microphone. Each musician throws himself toward the mic when it's his turn to be heard.
"It's more of a visually exciting performance," said mandolin player Gord Sadler.
Tickets for both evenings is $35, or individual evening tickets are $20 a piece. The cost to join the Slow Pitch jam is $10.
Tickets are available at the Brackendale Art Gallery 41950 Government Rd. or at the Bookshelf on Cleveland Avenue.
