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Newsroom
News Release
Wintergrass 2008
A Report from IBMM Life Member Charlie Moore
we have fallen into the place
where everything is music
- Rumi
Gabrielle and team - these beautiful words graced the first page of the Wintergrass program, and aptly described my 3+ days in Tacoma. There was music in the halls, music in the lobbies, music in the rooms, music on the sidewalks...
I arrived Thursday night and set up our table. Earla and the Wintergrass staff treated us wonderfully. We had a well-positioned spot in the hotel hallway adjacent to several workshop and performance rooms. The new six foot banner fit perfectly across the front of the table. Earla included in our package a full weekend pass including access to the artist/staff hospitality room - very generous. Earla and Patrice also made a special effort to get the museum a mention in the beautiful festival program (which I'm sending).
After an afternoon meeting and greeting at the table, on Friday night my friend and I took up residence at the Church stage and saw three amazing and equally unique performances by Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile and the Infamous Stringdusters. My oh my that night was worth the trip alone.
On Saturday I attended a beginner's workshop on jamming and caught a few more sets, including Crooked Still and The Grascals. Activity at the table was brisk as the weekend crowd grew. As at the RiverCity festival, the Mando Camp posters received a lot of attention and praise. Many asked about the camp. We also held another free raffle, this time giving away two Mando Camp posters. One winner was a festival emcee and long-time Wintergrass performer and supporter - Jere Canote (of The Canotes) from Seattle. He was very excited to take home the poster.
All told we gave away close to 150 membership, overview and Bluegrass Masters brochures. And of course the bowl of Hershey's kisses was again a popular attraction, pulling in enough visitors to dispense ten bags of chocolates.
I said a quick Howdy to Jimmy Mattingly after the Grascals set on Saturday night. I also saw Chris and Chuck Palmer (RiverCity BG Fest promoters) and thanked them again for having us.
This is the 15th year of Wintergrass. Though I'm still new to the festival scene, it's hard to imagine a more friendly, inviting and professionally organized event. The festival program is a work of art. And the warm and grateful spirit of the staff and volunteers radiates throughout the event. One really does feel welcome. .
It's a privilege to represent the museum up here in the Great NW. Keep up the fantastic work in Owensboro. I look forward to seeing you all at ROMP in June.
Warmly,
Charlie
The International Bluegrass Music Museum is the only museum of its kind in the world and is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass music for fans around the world.
Gabrielle Gray, Executive Director
International Bluegrass Music Museum
www.bluegrassmuseum.org
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