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Local Bluegrass & Stuff
Concerts | Jams | Gigs | Festivals | Quarantainment

Click here to see details about Victoria Bluegrass Association Events

Non-VBA Concerts, etc.
Friday April 11, 2025:   Opry Fantastico
7:00pm at Cafe Fantastico. Featuring the sounds of Hoss Mountain Stringband, Pocket Full of Dust, Jug Bandits, Bob McKechnie Trio and others. This is a fundraiser for the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association. Doors open 6:30pm Admission: by donation.

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Regular Jams in the Victoria Area
3rd Sunday of the month 1:00 - 4:00 pm:   Sooke Bluegrass Open Mic
at Sooke Legion Branch 54 Sooke; Eric and Mary host this long-standing music event. Cozy and inviting, bring along a tune to share. Acoustic instruments only. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Sundays 3:00 - 7:00 pm:   The Loft's Sunday Afternoon Jam
at The Loft Pub; Bring your own instrument and mic - drum kit, bass/guitar amp provided. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

3rd Sunday of the month 3:00 - 7:00pm:   South Cowichan Acoustic Jam (Cobble Hill)
at the Stu Armour Hall; Admission: free?

Sundays 2:00 - 6:00pm:   Country Jam (Duncan)
at the Eagle Hall; 2965 Boys Road, Duncan. Not loud, but PA and drummers are used. They also have a Rock jam on Friday night, and an Open Jam on Saturday afternoons. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Sundays 7:00pm - midnight:   Bluegrass Jam (Cumberland)
at the Cumberland Hotel; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Mondays 6:30 - 8:30 pm:   Spiral Groove
Oldtime music jam at the Spiral Cafe, 418 Craigflower Rd, Victoria; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food;

Mondays 7 - 10 pm:   Irish Session
at Spinnaker's Brew Pub; Invite only. Please come to listen first and contact Nancy Grossert if you would like to join. Looking for Irish style, advanced players with strong Irish trad session repertoire. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food; More info: Nancy

Mondays 6:30pm - 8:30pm:   Gigi's Unplugged Open Mic
at Gigi's Cafe; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:45 pm:   Victoria Bluegrass Association Weekly Gathering

Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm:   Sidney Acoustic Jam
at Beacon Community Services SHOAL Activity Centre 10030 Resthaven Dr Auditorium A; Acoustic Instruments only please - all levels of players welcome; Admission: $3, or $20/yr with a paid-up SHOAL membership; More info: sidneyjam@shaw.ca

Wednesdays 6:00 - 9:00 pm:   The Loft's Wednesday Night Jam
at The Loft Pub; Bring your own instrument and mic - drum kit, bass/guitar amp provided. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Thursdays 7 - 10 pm:   Bluegrass Jam (Qualicum Bay)
at the Crown and Anchor Pub; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food; More info: Sharon Klassen 250-951-2055

1st Friday of the month 7 - 9:30 pm:   Victoria Fiddle Society Monthly Jam
(except July & August); at Wheeley Hall in Esquimalt United Church 500 Admirals Road Victoria, BC; All musicians, all ages and skill levels are welcome; Break-out space for advanced fiddlers; Admission: VFS members Free, $5 for drop-ins.

1st and 3rd Friday of the month 7 - 11pm:   Emporium Open Mic Night (Brentwood Bay)
at the Brentwood Bay Village Emporium; All attendees, whether performers or audience, must have a seat at a table. Tables are reserved online ($10 per seat), and in advance so that performers and their guests are guaranteed an opportunity to perform - and a place for them and their guests to sit.

3rd Friday of the month 7 - 10pm:   Coombs Country Opera (Coombs)
at the Rodeo Grounds (site of the bluegrass festival); Admission: $5; More info: 250-248-1009

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Regular Gigs
Let us know if you have a regular gig in the Victoria area.
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Bluegrass, Old-Time & Folk Festivals in 2025
Confirmed dates for British Columbia, Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest
Dec 29-Jan 01Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - New Year's RetreatPort Orchard, WA
Jan 16-19Portland Old Time Music GatheringPortland, OR
Jan 23-25Winter Music FestivalFlorence, OR
Feb 14-16Olympia Old Time FestivalOlympia, WA
Feb 14-17Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Winter RetreatPort Orchard, WA
Feb 20-23WintergrassBellevue, WA
Feb 21-23California Coast Music Camp - Winter RetreatPlacer County, CA
Feb 28-Mar 02Bluegrass On The BeachLake Havasu, AZ
Apr 22-27Brazilian Choro WorkshopPort Townsend, WA
Apr 25-28Walker Creek Music Spring CampPetaluma, CA
May 01-04Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Spring RetreatPort Orchard, WA
May 01-05Ukelele FestivalPort Townsend, WA
May 07-11Julian Family Fiddle CampJulian, CA
May 14-18Red Hot Strings WorkshopPort Townsend, WA
May 23-25Juan de Fuca Festival of the ArtsPort Angeles, WA
May 23-2654th NorthWest Folklife FestivalSeattle, WA
Jun 05-08Idaho Bluegrass Music CampWeiser, ID
Jun 06-08Kluane Mountain Bluegrass FestivalHaines Junction, YK
Jun 08-11California Bluegrass Music CampGrass Valley, CA
Jun 12-15Grass Valley Bluegrass FestivalGrass Valley, CA
Jun 12-15Sacajawea Bluegrass CampoutPasco, WA
Jun 13-15Cowichan Valley Bluegrass FestivalCowichan Lake, BC
Jun 16-21National Oldtime Fiddle Contest and FestivalWeiser, ID
Jun 20-22Seaside Music FestivalSidney, BC
Jun 20-22Wenatchee River Bluegrass FestivalCashmere, WA
Jun 20-22Susanville Bluegrass FestivalSusanville, CA
Jun 22-28Lady Of The Lake - June WeekCouer d'Alene, ID
Jun 23-28Voiceworks - A Workshop for SingersPort Townsend, WA
Jun 28Siskiyou Folk and Bluegrass FestivalLake Selmac, OR
Jun 28-29The Big PonderooSisters, OR
Jun 29-Jul 05Dulcimer Week in the WallowasWallowa Lake, OR
Jun 29-Jul 06Festival Of American Fiddle Tunes
also check out the alternative Mule Barn Campsite		Port Townsend, WA
Jul 04-06Summertime Bluegrass FestivalFalkland, BC
Jul 04-06Smithers Midsummer Music FestivalSmithers, BC
Jul 04-06Fossil Jam CampFossil, OR
Jul 04-06Steamboat Mountain Music FestivalEdgewater, BC
Jul 06-11NimbleFingers Workshop - Week 1Sorrento, BC
Jul 06-11Walowa Fiddle Tunes CampWalowa, OR
Jul 06-12Blaine Harbor Music FestivalBlaine, WA
Jul 11-12Arts On The FlyHorsefly, BC
Jul 11-13Bluegrass From The Forest FestivalShelton, WA
Jul 11-13Keremeos Bluegrass JamboreeKeremeos, BC
Jul 12NimbleFingers Music FestivalSorrento, BC
Jul 12-18California Coast Music Camp - Week 1Placer County, CA
Jul 13-18NimbleFingers Workshop - Week 2Sorrento, BC
Jul 17-20Northwest Autoharp GatheringNorth Bend, WA
Jul 18-20Vancouver Folk Music FestivalVancouver, BC
Jul 18-20Shady Grove Bluegrass FestivalSundre, AB
Jul 18-20Darrington Bluegrass FestivalDarrington, WA
Jul 19Chemainus Bluegrass FestivalChemainus, BC
Jul 19-25California Coast Music Camp - Week 2Placer County, CA
Jul 20-27Jazz Port TownsendPort Townsend, WA
Jul 24-27Columbia Gorge Bluegrass FestivalStevenson, WA
Jul 25-27Islands Folk FestivalDuncan, BC
Jul 25-27Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUESSalmon Arm, BC
Jul 25-27Hard Times Bluegrass FestivalHamilton, MT
Jul 26-Aug 01Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 1Port Orchard, WA
Jul 27-Aug 03Acoustic Blues WorkshopPort Townsend, WA
Jul 28-Aug 03BC Fiddle 'TreatGavin Lake, BC
Jul 31-Aug 03PickathonHappy Valley, OR
Aug 01-03Coombs Bluegrass Festival
plus they have early camping before
and post-festival camping after		Coombs, BC
Aug 01-03Blueberry Bluegrass FestivalStony Plain, AB
Aug 01-03Kaslo Jazz FestivalKaslo, BC
Aug 01-03Filberg FestivalComox, BC
Aug 01-03WAMA PickersfestCentralia, WA
Aug 02-08Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 2Port Orchard, WA
Aug 07-09Subdued Stringband JamboreeBellingham, WA
Aug 08-10Mt St Helens Bluegrass FestivalToledo, WA
Aug 08-10Blue Waters Bluegrass FestivalMedical Lake, WA
Aug 09-17Centralia OldTime Music CampoutCentralia, WA
Aug 09-15Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 3Port Orchard, WA
Aug 11-17Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old TymeNess Creek, SK
Aug 16-22Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 4Port Orchard, WA
Aug 21-24Picking PartyRainier, WA
Aug 22-24Cat Nap Music CampGambier Island, BC
Aug 24-29Summer Acoustic Music In The PinesPort Orchard, WA
Aug 29-31Tumbleweed Music FestivalRichland, WA
Aug 30-31North Cascades Bluegrass FestivalFerndale, WA
Sep 04-07American Banjo CampPort Orchard, WA
Sep 05-07Keremeos Bluegrass JamboreeKeremeos, BC
Sep 15-21George, Washington Bluegrass FestivalGeorge, WA
Sep 17-21Berkeley Old Time Music ConventionBerkeley, CA
Sep 26-28Tygh Valley Bluegrass JamboreeShaniko, OR
Sep 26-28Sisters Folk FestivalSisters, OR
Oct 03-05Lady Of The Lake - Fall WeekendCouer d'Alene, ID
Oct 10-11Old Growth OldtimeSeattle, WA
Past Events in 2024
Unconfirmed dates for 2025
May 16-21Bluegrass PickfestCoombs, BC
May 31-Jun 02Tenor Guitar GatheringAstoria, OR
Jun 21-23Campbell Bay Music FestivalMayne Island, BC
Jul 12-14Vancouver Island MusicfestCourtenay, BC
Jul 12-21Harrison Festival Of The ArtsHarrison Hot Springs, BC
Aug 24North Island Music FestivalPort McNeill, BC
Aug 28-Sep 02Zigzag Old Time Music CampoutRhododendron, OR
Oct 24-27Walker Creek Music Fall CampPetaluma, CA
Nov 01-03Wood Stove FestivalCumberland, BC
Fossil Festivals
Probably moribund, future dates not confirmed
Jul 2018White Swan Music FestivalFraser Lake, BC
Jul 2018Bluegrass JamboreeCastlegar, BC
Aug 2018Pasture Picking and Music FestivalNorthport, WA
Apr 2019East Van Oldtime SocialVancouver, BC
Aug 2019Bannock County Bluegrass FestivalPocatello, ID
Aug 201912th Annual Oregon Bluegrass Assn Picker's FestRhododendron, OR
Sep 2019Simcoe Mountain Music & Dance WeekendGoldendale, WA
Oct 2019The Acoustic Music WorkshopCamp He Ho Ha, AB
Nov 2019Dare To Be Square - WestFort Flagler, WA
Feb 2021Victoria Trad WeekendVictoria, BC
Feb 2021Roche Harbor Irish Music RetreatRoche Harbor, WA
Apr 2021Parksville JamFestParksville, BC
Apr 2021Mountain Fever Bluegrass CampLac Le Jeune, BC
Apr 202123rd Country Bluegrass JamboreeQuesnel, BC
May 2021Vancouver Island Music Workshop - Spring RetreatNanoose, BC
Jul 2021Beyond Trad Summer WorkshopParksville, BC
Aug 202113th Princeton Traditional Music FestivalPrinceton, BC
Sep 2021Vancouver Island Music Workshop - Fall RetreatNanoose, BC
Jul 2022Northwest String SummitNorth Plains, OR
Sep 2022Perseverance Folk FestivalCumberland, BC
Sep 2022Chillbilly FestivalFernie, BC
Sep 2022Prospect Hotel Music FestivalProspect, OR
May 2023Hixon Bluegrass and Country JamboreeHixon, BC
May 2023Willamette Valley Old-Time SocialEugene, OR
May 2023Islands Celtic FestivalErrington, BC
Jul 2023Legion Bluegrass FestivalPowell River, BC
Jul 2023Savary Island BluegrassSavary Island, BC
Aug 2023Lady Of The Lake - Dance S'MoreCouer d'Alene, ID
Aug 2023FiddleworksCreston, BC
Aug 2023BC Swing CampSorrento, BC
Nov 2023Seaside Django FestivalVictoria, BC

Is a bluegrass (or similar) festival missing from the above lists ? If so, let me know the details and I'll add it: web@victoriabluegrass.ca

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Quarantainment, Virtual Spaciness, Broadband Busking, etc.

Back in COVID-19 times, the normal music scene pretty much shut down. But on the digital airwaves, many musicians arranged lessons, concerts and all kinds of innovative musical events just to keep us all on the good end of the sanity scale. Lots of this continued, and here are some sites to get you started.

Quarantine Happy Hour - archived Oldtime shows on Facebook
Home Routes Online Bluegrass Weekend Live Shows - from Winnipeg
Whiskey Sour Happy Hour - archived performances.
Chris Coole Lessons (ZOOM) - One of the best teachers and players.
Bluegrass Lessons with Jenny Lester
Ellie Hakanson - Occasional streaming.
Get Up In The Cool - Portland's Cameron deWitt has a great weekly podcast featuring musical guests.
My Tall Tripod (YouTube) - Includes performances from past John Hartford Memorial Festivals
Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast - Fabulous podcast featuring the best of the best in banjo.
Bluegrass Signal - comprehensive resource page for all things Bluegrass on the West Coast, especially the Bay Area.
Bluegrass Country - radio station WAMU in Washington DC, plus info on all things bluegrass.

Support your favorite and local musicians. Don't forget the tip jar. If you know of other similar events, email us at scene@victoriabluegrass.ca and we'll post them.

Quarantainment | Concerts | Jams | Gigs | Festivals
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