After more than a year on ice, live bluegrass music is back.
Some of the best guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin players in the country will take the outdoor stage on Saturday, August 21 at the Barn Playhouse grounds in a condensed version of the Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival (NLBF).
‘Bluegrass at the Barn’ follows on the heels of the NLBF’s four-day music camp August 16-20 at the Ness Creek festival site.
“Normally we have a three-day bluegrass festival at our Ness Creek site after the music camp,” said NLBF Entertainment Director Ryan Shotton. “But this year, even with Covid restrictions gradually being lifted, the idea of a festival sounds scary. We wanted to ensure we’re not putting people at risk, so we’re staging a one-day concert at the Barn Playhouse, just north of Martensville.
“It’s kind of an afternoon in the park-style event, where you can bring your own lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the music in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Shotton said bluegrass music is popular with all ages, even the younger generation.
“When someone picks up an acoustic instrument and starts to play bluegrass music, it’s amazing how much power, energy and excitement they’re able to produce,” said Shotton. “It’s a style of music that’s infectious.”
Shotton said the event will include a mix of traditional classics and new, original material. Featured performers include: Métis fiddler Jordan Daniels; Edmonton-based duo Jim and Penny; Saskatchewan’s own Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys; and the Gropher Broke Orchestra of Saskatoon. In addition, the Lost Highway Navigators will showcase a unique brand of ‘cosmic honky-tonk and pan-galactic western swing’ music that pays homage to the classic country songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
As a special treat, the music festival’s instructors, all of whom play professionally with groups or on their own, will be performing together. The ‘Cross Canada Bluegrass All Star Jam’ features Ellen Froese-Kooijenga, Jaxon Lalonde, Sarah Hamilton, Nathan Smith, Nico Humby, Miles Zurawell, and Marc Roy.
With special admission prices for seniors, students and children, it’s a family-friendly event.
“We’ll even have an ‘Imagination Playground’ at the site,” said Shotton. “It’s a modular foam play area donated to us for the day by the Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan.”
Tickets for Bluegrass at the Barn are available online at www.northernlightsbluegrass.com.