Upcoming VBA Events

All VBA activities take place at the Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood Rd, VICTORIA, BC
(corner of Fernwood and Balmoral - see Google Map)

Please Note VBA's Recording Policy:
No video or audio recordings are to be made at any VBA events,
unless specifically authorized in advance by the performer(s) being recorded.
See Recording Policy for specific details.

VBA Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam

Every Tuesday 7:30 to 10 pm, all year long
                (except: Open Stage / Feature Night, the last Tuesday each month, September to May)

• Mar 2010: 2, 9, 16, 23
• Apr 2010: 6, 13, 20
• May 2010: 4, 11, 18

Location: Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood Rd, Victoria, BC. (see Google Map)

The cornerstone of the VBA is the weekly bluegrass jams. Players, singers and listeners can come out and indulge their love of bluegrass every Tuesday evening.

We use the Nashville Numbering System to help communicate Common Bluegrass Chord Changes.

Slow Pitch Jam, 7:45 - 8:45 pm, (basic songs and chords led and played in an orchestra formation), followed by Moderated Circle Jam, 9 - 10 pm, (open to the more intermediate level players) and Festival Bluegrass Jams (more advanced, non-moderated).

Players of all levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Contact: Kelly Sherwin at kelly.sherwin@gmail.com

Special Concert with
Lost & Found

Friday March 5, 2009; 8 pm (doors open 7:30 pm)

Location: Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood Rd, Victoria BC.

The VBA proudly presents Lost and Found, a traditional bluegrass band. Along with Gene Parker and Roger Handy, Allen Mills and Dempsey Young formed Lost & Found in Martinsville, Virginia in 1973. Local attention gave way to regional popularity, and by the early eighties the band had toured all across the United States, Canada, and even to Europe.

The band became quite popular playing bluegrass festivals, with Mills' exceptional songwriting contributing much to the group's fame. Love of the Mountains, recorded by the original lineup, has become a contemporary bluegrass standard, and the band continues to be a strong positive force in contemporary bluegrass music. In addition to their contemporary songs, the band has also recorded more traditional fare, such as The Man Who Wrote 'Home Sweet Home' Never Was a Married Man.

Lost & Found signed on with Rebel Records in 1980, a relationship that continues to this day and has resulted in a long string of successful recordings featuring many of the talented members who have belonged to Lost and Found throughout the years, including Ronnie Bowman, Shane Bartley, Greg Luck, Jody King, Ben Green and others. As of today, the band is made up by Allen Mills on bass, Scottie Sparks on guitar, Ronald Smith on banjo and newest member Scot Napier on mandolin replacing the legendary Dempsey.

Cost: VBA Members: $15, Non-Members: $20; Tickets will be available at all VBA envents preceeding the concert date, & at the door; Call or email Pharis for ticket reservations at (250) 929-7099 or pharis@shaw.ca

More info: www.lostandfoundbluegrass.com

Special Concert with
The Foggy Hogtown Boys

Saturday March 20, 2009; 8 pm (doors open 7:30 pm)

Location: Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood Rd, Victoria BC.

The special chemistry of The Foggy Hogtown Boys, one of Canada's most exciting bluegrass bands, translates into powerful and highly entertaining performances of ballads, gospel quartets, original tunes and more. These boys have become a favourite over the years at the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop in Sorrento, BC for both their musicianship and teaching methods, not to mention their fun sense of humor and spectacular harmonies. The band will be teaching both weeks this year at the BCBW!!

The Foggy's will be toting their latest CD "The Golden West", featuring 7 originals and 8 bluegrass classics, but you won't want to stop there in your CD collection. These boys have plenty of gems to offer from over the years, as well as some great solo projects. The Foggy Hogtown Boys are: Andrew Collins on mandolin, Chris Coole on guitar, Max Heineman on bass, Chris Quinn on banjo and John Showman on fiddle

"Normal people get converted into bluegrass fans by getting tight with The Foggy Hogtown Boys. The classic repertoire thrives in their able hands and strong hearts. You can count on these guys to play it solid, and to drive it hard. Accept no substitutes, this is the real thing." - Tim O’Brien

Cost: VBA Members: $12, Non-Members: $15; Tickets will be available at all VBA envents preceeding the concert date, & at the door; This show usually fills the house, so the sooner you reserve, the better; Call or email Kelly for ticket reservations at (250) 886-7108 or kelly.sherwin@gmail.com

More info: foggyhogtownboys.com & www.myspace.com/thefoggyhogtownboys

5-String Banjo Workshop with
Nick Hornbuckle

Saturday March 27, 2010; 2 - 4 pm

Location: Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood Rd, Victoria, BC.

In this course, Nick will cover ideas and techniques used to create solos for tunes and songs. Using his proven method, Nick will guide you through the steps of taking a basic melody and turning it into a great Bluegrass solo. We will focus on playing a few well known melodies in open G, also up the neck in second position G, and finally in the Key of C in the first position. We will also cover basic back-up concepts, and use them in the songs we learn. Students should bring a recording device, and tablature will be available.

Nick Hornbuckle has been playing the banjo for 35 years, and teaching for 30. He has taught at several music camps in Canada and the US including Rockygrass, the California Bluegrass Camp, Wintergrass, the 108 Mile Music Camp, the Alaska Bluegrass Cruise, and the BCBW. Nick has been featured in Banjo Newsletter, and has published three banjo instruction books. Nick tours and records with the Juno nominated Bluegrass band, John Reischman and the Jaybirds.

Cost: VBA Members: $15, Non-Members: $20; to register, contact Pharis: (250) 929-7099 or pharis@shaw.ca

More info: www.thejaybirds.com

VBA Open Stage / Feature Night

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Doors open: 7:30 pm
Open Stage: 1st Half of Eve: 7:45 - 8:45 pm
Featured Act: 2nd Half of Eve: 9:00 - 10:00 pm

Location: Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood Rd, Victoria, BC. (see Google Map)

Tickets: $5 for members; $7 for non-members; free for open stage performers

Contact: Jeb Gordon, to sign up for open stage, (250) 886-2614 vicbluegrass@yahoo.ca

Recording Policy: No video or audio recordings are to be made at any VBA events, unless specifically authorized in advance by the performer(s) being recorded. See Recording Policy for specific details.

Showcasing:
Bowker Creek

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010; 9 - 10:00 pm

Bowker Creek is an apt name for this bluegrass band, as its band members have their roots firmly established in Victoria, and most live within a "banjo’s throw" of Bowker Creek! Bowker Creek draws its bluegrass influences from folk, country, rock and roll, old time, swing, jazz and, yes, even traditional bluegrass. This five piece band consists of Duncan Sutherland on guitar and vocals, Renata Young on vocals and guitar, Martin Matychuk on bass and vocals, Dan Ready on mandolin and guitar, and Doug VanDine on banjo. They have all played in various other bands in the Victoria area, and some further a field. The voice of one band member has been described as "raw and earthy", another band member has toured with Canadian Country Music Award winner Patricia Conroy, another also plays in a Victoria rhythm and blues band, and yet another also plays in a local swing band. Come out and see who is who. Guaranteed you’ll love Bowker Creek’s song selection, harmonies and musical energy.

Doug Vandine promises Orange Hall guests an eclectic hour of entertainment on March 30. The audience will hear some original material as well as well-know tunes by the Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan and Alison Krauss. "It's always fun to play at VBA events," says Doug, "the audiences are knowledgeable and super supportive." Regulars at the Orange Hall Tuesday night Slow Pitch jams will!recognize Doug's familiar, friendly face. Over the years, he has led many slow-pitch and circle jams, keeping our toes tapping in time. As well as editing the VBA newsletter, Doug has served as Treasurer and now Chairs the Nominating Committee. "I'm the only VBA member in the band," says Doug. "I'm eager to introduce them to my family of bluegrass friends." And, of course, participate in all the good-natured kidding that goes along with playing for friends and family.