Wintergrass 2018 - Bellevue, WA (Feb 22-25)

[MoreThanQuinn]

Let's discuss wintergrass in here! Who's going?

Here's the recently announced schedule?
http://www.wintergrass.com/schedule.html

This will be my first year going! I'm a new player and really excited to see all the live music.
For those of you who recognize a lot of the names on the list, should I go Saturday or Sunday? (I know people will say BOTH, but let's pretend I can only do one.. haha).

I'm pretty bummed I can't go to Friday. I have been listening to Dawg nonstop since I became interested and mandolin, and I would love to see him live. I could MAYBE make it over there in time for the 9:00 show, but it's not likely. So who should I see Sat or Sun in lieu of missing Dawg on Friday?

Also, would love to hear other people's plans in here!

[Mandobart]

I'll be there, as always. You should attend the whole weekend, but there's a lot more going on Saturday than on Sunday. Don't miss Pearl Django, The Slocan Ramblers, The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, or The Seldom Scene. The T-Sisters are great too. Matuto is great fun. The almost best part is seeing and jamming with friends I only see at festivals, some only at Wintergrass. The festival workshops on the weekend are kinda not worth attending - only 45 minutes long and very crowded, often not organized at all. The intensives on Thursday can be very good.

[banjoboy]

I'll be playing there with three bands I'm in. Catch North Country on Friday and Saturday on the main stages. My other bands, String Theory and Runaway Train are playing in the WAMU suite. Eric, who also a member of the Café is playing in String Theory with me on Saturday night. He's a great mandolin and guitar player.

[Jess L.]

... The Seldom Scene. ...

They're still around? Wow. Cool!

(goes to show how much I know about the current bluegrass scene)

[banjoboy]

They're still around? Wow. Cool!

(goes to show how much I know about the current bluegrass scene)

None of the original members. Last remaining member, Ben Eldridge, left a little while ago. Now they have Ron Stewart on banjo.

[MoreThanQuinn]

Sounds like Saturday is the day for me! Thanks for the recommendations. I am really excited to go check it all out.

[RobP]

There is a lot more going on Saturday - well into the night. As was said above, the workshops are crowded and unorganized, but I have gotten a nice nugget or two a them. Also, I have met a lot of people at the workshops that I met up with later to jam.

Have fun!

[tiltman]

I will be there too - looking forward to it!

They're still around? Wow. Cool!

(goes to show how much I know about the current bluegrass scene)

Vocally, I believe that this is the best iteration of this iconic band. I may be wrong, but I'm not. Dudley Connell is the strongest lead singer they've had and Lou Reid and Fred Travers are awesome. (I do miss John Duffey, for many reasons...)
Definitely not to be missed.

Kirk

[MoreThanQuinn]

Thanks for all the recommendations and info everyone.

A couple updates:

Peter Rowan won't be coming due to health reasons. I'm sorry to hear that. And I actually had gone out and searched for some CDs of the artists you all had recommended so that I could listen in advance, and I found a Peter Rowan and Tony Rice Quartet CD. I suppose that'll just be a good listen whether or he's going to the festival. Still, it's too bad.

Also, on the upside, I am thrilled to have seen today that the "Dawg Trio" is playing Saturday. In other words, I'll get to see David Grisman! Woohoo!

Just bought my ticket for Saturday. Now to convince my non-bluegrass-listening friends that it is in their best interest to spend $73 bucks and come to the festival with me haha.

[Jim Roberts]

Re: Peter Rowan...hope he's better soon. I saw him eight or so years ago at the Bluebird Theater in Denver and it was a phenomenal show. Tony Rice was accompanying the group. It was a really special night.

https://bluegrasstoday.com/peter-row...-a-few-months/

[Mandobart]

Besides all the great music and jamming, if you are at all interested in a new instrument Greg Boyd always brings a good supply, as do Dusty Strings and some other vendors. And I always spend some time in the builder's room with Austin Clark, Andrew Mowry and others.

[amowry]

Yep, I'll be there! I look forward to seeing you all!

[Josh Levine]

I’ll be there. First time. Can’t wait!

[gummia]

I'll be coming form Iceland, along with my banjo and fiddle buddies, and my Mowry f5 of course !! First bluegrass festival ever for me

[Willem]

Just pulled the trigger and bought tickets/booked a room.

[Denman John]

Almost ready! Changed 4 sets of strings on Sunday and now just getting things organized and getting the truck packed up. We'll catch the ferry off our island when my wife comes home from work and then catch the last ferry off Vancouver Island this evening to the mainland. Probably end up sleeping in a rest area along the way. Planning on checking out Dusty Strings tomorrow morning before heading to the Hyatt. My son has a meeting/workshop tomorrow evening to get things rolling.

So much good music lined up ... looking forward to seeing the Jacob Joliff Band and the Dawg is always a treat. I'll figure it out as I go along The 3rd floor is always good with plenty of jamming in the evening.

See ya there!
John

[samlyman]

See you there!

[Josh Levine]

So excited... Somehow I need to get through 2 more days of work... Unless we get a snow day tomorrow. Then 1 more day! See ya'll soon!

[MoreThanQuinn]

Super excited as well. New mandolin player and first time Wintergrasser here! I have a few questions on what to expect..

Will there be a lot of opportunities to try out mandolins that people are selling? I've been dying to try out a Big Muddy but I can't find one anywhere in the Seattle area (including at Dusty Strings) and I'm hoping Wintergrass will be my ticket for that! Maybe a bowlback too?
In my head this event is going to be like mandolins galore, but I actually have no idea what to expect.

Any thoughts on what a first timer should know going into it?

(Unfortunately, due to my courses, I'm only going on Saturday.)

[Josh Levine]

I have never been, but I know Greg Boyd's House of Fine Instruments will be there as will Dusty Strings. Andrew Mowry (posted in this thread) will be there and brings mandolin family instruments for sale. Guessing Matt Ruhland from PDX will be there and will have instruments, although he is selling through Greg Boyd. Heard that Michael Heiden goes as well? Others will know better than me. Then of course all the people you see around picking. I have a Mid Mo MM-8 (Mini Mo). Wasn't planning on bringing it, but if you really want to try one out I can toss it in the car.

[MoreThanQuinn]

Thanks for the info, and wow! So there will be quite a few booths set up (I'm assuming) where people can play the instruments, make purchases, etc? This is going to be a blast.

Also, that's really cool that Greg Boyd makes the drive. I actually grew up in Missoula, so I'll have to go check out his selection for sure.

And thanks for offering the bring the Mini Mo, I appreciate it! But don't sweat it. If I get a Big Muddy, I will definitely go with one of the regular sized bodies, so I think I'll hold out until I can play one of those. Much appreciated though.

[Austin Clark]

Looking forward to seeing everybody again! This is our 9th year showing at Wintergrass!
Contrary to the printed program I’ll be in the builders room, NOT in the Grand hall.
Super excited!

[Mandorich]

Dawg is also playing Saturday night, replacing Peter Rowan. Dawg, Danny Barnes and Sam Grisman in the Grand Ballroom.

[Glassweb]

Dawg is also playing Saturday night, replacing Peter Rowan. Dawg, Danny Barnes and Sam Grisman in the Grand Ballroom.

this show will be fantastic... if you folks aren't familiar with Danny Barnes get ready for a special treat... one of the great American musicians.

[Willem]

Danny Barnes is indeed fantastic!