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)

• July 2010: 6, 13, 20, 27
• August 2010: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

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.

Upstairs Beginner & Intermediate Jams: every Tuesday throughout the summer:

• 7:45 pm - Beginner’s jam featuring slow, simple songs or tunes which allow beginning musicians to participate. Intermediate players are welcome but their role is to support beginning players
• 8:45 - Break
• 9:00 - Intermediate Jam (more up-tempo)

Some hints to successful jamming:

• Keep yer head up, yer eyes and ears open so you can catch the cues.
• Listen to the room. We should be jamming as one.
• If you notice that you are out of sync with the rhythm, stop, feel the rhythm internally, then start again.
• Remember to inform the person to your left if you will not be taking a break.
• If you need to “practice” or work out your solo while someone else is either singing or taking their solo, please step well outside of the circle and turn away from the jam to do so. If you’re not taking a solo, pay attention to the person who is.
• Check out the our website for more tips on Jam Etiquette.

Downstairs Advanced Jams:  
7:45 – 10:00 pm – Advanced Bluegrass Jam
Summer schedule: last Tuesday of each month - June 29, July 27, Aug 31
Fall/Winter schedule: every Tuesday

About the Downstairs Jam: Folks, this is an upper level bluegrass jam and etiquette is strictly enforced. Please park your egos at the door and decide honestly what your skill level is when you decide to join in the advanced jam. If you’re not sure where your skill level is, come listen at one of the jams before joining in.

Players of all levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Contact: Larry Stevens at larrystevens@shaw.ca

VBA's 9th Annual Pickin-nic In The Pines

Saturday, July 17, 2010

2 to 8 pm; pot luck dinner 5 pm

2332 Brethour Ave, Sidney BC (Luann Burton’s house)

VBA members, family and friends are invited to the 9th annual Pickin-nic. Rain or shine, lots of pickin’ places outdoors in the sunny yard (with shade tent), the raised deck or the stone patio (surrounded by garden). If the weather is uncooperative, we can move indoors to the living room. Potluck dinner around 5pm. BBQ available for those who would like to cook what they bring. If you have ‘young-uns’ that like to romp, the Sidney Elementary School is only a block away with a playground. Lots of parking on Resthaven Drive, 7th Street and Brethour Ave. Bring your instrument, a lawn chair and a potluck dish. Bring your own drinks. Plates, plastic utensils, and condiments will be provided. See you at the Pickin-nic!

Map for Directions

Creaking Tree String Quartet
CD Release Show

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Doors open at 7:30, Show starts at 8 pm

at Orange Hall, 1620 Fernwood, Victoria, BC

Don’t miss these four adept and accomplished musicians, dedicated to performing unique and exciting material that raises the bar for instrumental acoustic music. The Creaking Tree String Quartet have a deeply moving sound that's a true Canadian original: Andrew Collins (mandolin), Brad Keller (guitar), Brian Kobayakawa (bass), John Showman (fiddle), form jazz sliding over a rootsy bluegrass base, with flashes of chamber music, reverence and avant-garde experimentation. Juno award nominees (and winners of too many other awards to mention), they’ll be here in Victoria with a brand new album, The Soundtrack, produced in Nashville, and which has already won two Canadian Folk Music Awards. We love these guys and they always blow the walls off the house with their stunning shows.

More info: www.creakingtree.com

VBA Open Stage / Feature Night

Tuesday, September 28th, 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

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:
Clover Point Drifters

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010; 9 to 10:00 pm

Together now for a decade, Clover Point Drifters - one of the region’s best-loved acoustic bands, has built a large following with top notch, fun-filled, picking and singing. They've performed with the likes of the Nitty Gritty Band - and almost stole the show, at Government House, twice, where they wowed thousands, including two Lieutenants Governor, and in Victoria to standing ovations. Freshly out of the recording studio, the Drifters will have a brand new CD at this show – their first release in over 6 years.

The Clover Point Drifters are: Mike Kraft (banjo, harmony vocals), Larry Stephens (resophonic guitar, lead vocals), Dan Parker (mandolin,lead vocals), Alan Law (guitar, lead & harmony vocals), George Robinson (bass, lead vocals).

More info: www.cloverpointdrifters.com