Hudson Valley NY

**mbruno** · May-15-2023, 12:24pm

Hey all - I'm going to be heading back to visit my mom in the Hudson Valley at the end of May. I've reached out to the local BG association I know over there to figure out jams etc - but two questions:

1. Anyone else in the area know of fun jams / BG events around 5/26 - 6/4 in the Hudson Valley area? I'll be near New Paltz / Poughkeepsie for the most part.

2. I've been experimenting with Dobro / Resonator due to some left hand issues. Unfortunately, I don't have a flight case for my dobro and I've heard too many horror stories about guitars on planes to want to try carry on for it. Long shot, but if anyone on the forum is in / near the HV area and would be okay loaning me a dobro / resonator for a few days I'd really appreciate it. I'd be happy to provide a deposit of some sort etc. If not loan, maybe meet up and jam for a bit.

**journeybear** · May-15-2023, 3:50pm

JeffD lives somewhere in the general vicinity. He hosts jams, though I think they're more old-timey.

For non-bg music - Consider checking out Amy Rigby, The Kennedys, or Gandalf Murphy And The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams. I know I would if I were in the area.

**Jim Garber** · May-15-2023, 4:06pm

I assume that you contacted HVBA already: https://hvbluegrass.org/

There was a monthly bluegrass jam at the Katonah Library but I don’t see it listed anymore for this month. I just contacted the guy who runs it who is an excellent bluegrass mandolin player.

BTW I assume you are talking about borrowing a dobro guitar not a dobro mandolin.

**mbruno** · May-16-2023, 10:50am

I did reach out to HVBA already and they have a few events going on which I'll hopefully be able to attend. Unfortunately they don't have an instrument rental program going. They offered to put something in their newsletter to see if anyone would be willing to help me get a dobro / resonator guitar (not mandolin haha) - but I'm not holding my breath there.

Good news is my left hand is starting to feel better after a few months of being off. So maybe I'll be able to play mandolin while there too!!

I know San Diego BG association has an instrument rental program for new musicians and younger folks - is that not common elsewhere?

**Stopstop** · May-16-2023, 5:43pm

There's an open jam at the Ashokan Center on Sunday the 21st. Not sure if you are around then.

I live in the area and can hook you up if a beat up Gretch honey dipper works for what you need. I've got it strung for C7 with an extension nut, but it's been gathering dust. If you wanted to string it up another way that would be fine by me.

**mbruno** · May-17-2023, 1:42pm

Originally Posted by Stopstop

There's an open jam at the Ashokan Center on Sunday the 21st. Not sure if you are around then.

I live in the area and can hook you up if a beat up Gretch honey dipper works for what you need. I've got it strung for C7 with an extension nut, but it's been gathering dust. If you wanted to string it up another way that would be fine by me.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm in the area 5/25 - 6/4 so I'll miss that unfortunately.

I looked at the honey dipper. Looks like a standard resonator guitar which is awesome, but I need a dobro / slide setup. Fretting with my left hand is currently not an option (though it's getting better!!)

**tmsweeney** · May-17-2023, 3:20pm

I'm a good hour and half North of New Paltz, and the once monthly bluegrass jam up here is not till 6/11, but I if I hear anything I will post.

**mbruno** · May-17-2023, 6:09pm

I went to school at SUNY Albany

Haven't been out there in a while, but I have a few friends in the area too. If that's where the jams are, I might be able to convince a friend or two to grab me from the train station

If the jam hasn't started yet, that's fine - I should be back again probably in October.

There is one bar called Paula's Public House I used to go to on my last visit in 2021 in Poughkeepsie that has a live band open mic. It was great but looks like they may have closed down

**Stopstop** · May-17-2023, 6:35pm

I raised the nut on the Gretsch with an extender and was playing it as an acoustic lap steel (hence C7 tuning):

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...xoCRpoQAvD_BwE

The extender rides over the nut. With it in place you can't fret the board normally and a tone bar works great. The action is maybe 1/2?" I only dabbled, so if there are any other differences between my set up and a proper dobro I'm unaware of them, other than the metal body I guess?

I'm 40 minutes West of New Paltz.

**tmsweeney** · May-18-2023, 12:56am

every Sunday is the Celtic jam at the Shamrock in East Durham, a bit to the North West of New Paltz,
its hard core Celtic, but they will entertain American fiddle tunes and or bluegrass, be prepared to compete with multiple accordions.
Nicest people on the planet for my my 2 cents.

**mbruno** · May-18-2023, 10:38am

Originally Posted by Stopstop

I raised the nut on the Gretsch with an extender and was playing it as an acoustic lap steel (hence C7 tuning):

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...xoCRpoQAvD_BwE

The extender rides over the nut. With it in place you can't fret the board normally and a tone bar works great. The action is maybe 1/2?" I only dabbled, so if there are any other differences between my set up and a proper dobro I'm unaware of them, other than the metal body I guess?

I'm 40 minutes West of New Paltz.

Awesome! Thanks! I haven't heard of an extender before, so new to me haha. I'll send you a private message.

**mbruno** · May-18-2023, 10:41am

Originally Posted by tmsweeney

every Sunday is the Celtic jam at the Shamrock in East Durham, a bit to the North West of New Paltz,
its hard core Celtic, but they will entertain American fiddle tunes and or bluegrass, be prepared to compete with multiple accordions.
Nicest people on the planet for my my 2 cents.

I think I know that jam from Greyfox folks - it's right near the festival grounds in Oak Hill

I may come by, but I won't be able to hang on the resonator / dobro. If I'm back on the mandolin, I might be able to play a few tunes at least

Thanks!

**rnjl** · May-21-2023, 2:41pm

Hey folks as long as we're talking about the Hudson Valley, Bard College just released its summer concert schedule:

https://fishercenter.bard.edu/whats-on/calendar/

Upcoming shows that feature mandolin include Choro Das 3 (that's with Elisa Meyer Ferreira featured here on the cafe), Jacob Joliff Band and Tray Wellington Band.

Yikes that's some mando talent headed to Rhinebeck, all those shows are in July I think.

neal in Poughkeepsie

**Stopstop** · May-22-2023, 3:32pm

I was hoping CD3 would come through the area on their tour. Sadly it looks like I'll be out of town... bummer.

**mbruno** · May-28-2023, 12:03pm

If anyone is in the New Paltz / Highland / Poughkeepsie area this week and wants to get together, LMK. I'll be around HV until probably Friday 6/2 maybe Saturday 6/3.

Unfortunately I seem to have missed the BG jam on the 3rd Wednesday hosted by HVBG - but if there's another LMK!!!