The Winter 2009 Brookdale Festival – held this weekend in exile from its namesake  venue, organized at the last minute, and facing steeply-falling evening temperatures — turned out to be a very special bluegrass gathering after all. Eric and Barbra Burman invited the local bluegrass community up to their Bonny Doon ranch to enjoy performances in the elegant Music Room of their new barn, gather around a roaring outdoor fire, and warm the hearts of their friends with jams all day long and into the night. The memory of our late friend Yodeling Lady Lolita (who always loved a good time!) was well-served with historic videos of her singing, and with songs sung and glasses raised in her honor. Will the “Brookdale” festival survive beyond this 18th renewal? We certainly hope it does. It is too much fun to lose!

Posted Dec 6th, 2009 by Michael Hall in Brookdale Bluegrass Festivals |