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The Brackendale Art Gallery hosts the 12th annual Bluegrass Festival on Saturday (May 3) at 8 p.m. and the event gives local music lovers a chance to appreciate the talent of local prodigy and rising bluegrass star Michael Kilby.
鈥淚t鈥檚 being called 鈥楢n Evening of Bluegrass,鈥� because where festivals are usually multi-day, this is just the one night,鈥� said Squamish musician Cam Salay who, along with Michelle Fulford, is organizing this year鈥檚 soir茅e.听
鈥淏ut although we won鈥檛 have any workshops this year, we do have an open jam in the afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m.,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nyone who wants to play can just show up with an instrument. It鈥檚 usually pretty popular and we get a good turnout. It鈥檚 a 鈥榮low-pitch鈥� jam, meaning it鈥檚 for all ages and all skill levels. We just want people to have fun.鈥�
The night鈥檚 double bill features Port Moody鈥檚 5 On a String, a high-energy band that has been playing wakes, weddings, midnight jam sessions and many of the region鈥檚 major bluegrass festivals for the past 25 years.
鈥淭hey play a good mix of traditionals and modern originals,鈥� said Salay. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a lively group who鈥檝e been around for a long time.鈥�
Special guests Runaway Wagon also grace the gallery鈥檚 stage, with 15-year-old Squamish prodigy Kilby on the dobro.
鈥淩unaway Wagon plays regularly at the Howe Sound,鈥� Salay said. 鈥淢ichael Kilby will be playing with the band for this show. Actually, he will be playing with both bands on dobro.鈥�
Kilby started out playing the fiddle at a young age and soon caught the attention of professional bluegrass players, according to Salay.
鈥淭he International Bluegrass Musicians Association wanted him to go down to Nashville,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow he plays and hangs out with the top players in the world. I鈥檝e been playing for 30 years and Michael at 15 is a better musician than I am. He鈥檚 better than most players I know. It鈥檚 just amazing to watch this kid play.鈥�
Salay said the festival was a golden opportunity to watch Kilby before his star shoots into the stratosphere.
鈥淗e鈥檚 just finishing school, but soon he鈥檒l be off playing with bands in the States,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o now鈥檚 a great time to see him while you can. And tickets usually sell out really quickly for the festival鈥� we were pretty packed last year. So it鈥檚 a good idea to get your tickets early.鈥�
Those tickets can be purchased at the BAG or Xocolatl for $20 adults, and $15 for kids under 14 years.听
