Roger Siminoff of Atascadero, an active NCBS member and volunteer, has been nominated for the IBMA Award for Print Media Person of the Year for 2009. He spoke at the inaugural NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Author Symposium in Redwood City this past February and has been a main stage performer, emcee, and workshop presenter at the NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival over the past decade. The winner will be announced in a special ceremony on October 1, 2009 at the International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass Convention in Nashville. NCBS is a longtime member of the IBMA.

The winners of the Northern California Bluegrass Awards are selected by vote of the members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society each year. The nomination and voting process will begin at the NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, August 7-9. The awards ceremony will be a part of the 2010 NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival.

Join the NCBS now to be a part of the process! Look under “Membership” in the left column.

Michael Hall and Patrick Weldon, co-directors of the NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival in Redwood City, attended Arts Forum 2.0: Connecting The Arts In San Mateo County organized by the Peninsula Arts Council, on April 25, 2009. The event focused on ways of developing San Mateo County into a destination for the arts, parks and culture.

The group hopes to develop an overall strategy for co-ordinating the development and promotion of arts and cultural activity in the county. Northern California Bluegrass Society events, including the BOB, could be a part of this larger effort, which could lead to an expansion of bluegrass opportunities in the area. It may also lead to the integration of bluegrass performances into the broader arts scene. NCBS will continue to be a part of the planning process. (Michael Hall ) hallmw (at) gmail (dot) comor (Patrick Weldon) jpweldon (at) earthlink (dot) net can provide additional details for interested Society members.

The very first (2008) NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival was part of a 116-event program of activities in Downtown Redwood City that earned the City of Redwood City a 2009 “Creating Community” Award of Distinction from the California Park & Recreation Society. Redwood City won one of just two such Awards of Distinction in the state in the Marketing and Economic Impact category. 

The 2008  program included weekly outdoor movies, dance programs, live music, art, a Pet Parade, a Salsa Festival, Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence Day), live theater, Olympics opening ceremonies, and many other special events, including Bluegrass On Broadway, which was funded by an anchor grant from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, part of the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, which, in partnership with its Redevelopment Agency, has brought energy and excitement to the community through a variety of Downtown events.

The second 4-day festival was held this February, and the third annual NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway will be held February 25-28, 2010.

Congratulations to Redwood City for creating the positive image and sense of place in Downtown Redwood City that led to this award — and thanks for making the Northern California Bluegrass Society part of the fun!

The Third Annual NCBS International Bluegrass Music Museum Film Festival will be held on February 28, 2010 in Redwood City. The film event is part of the 4-day Bluegrass On Broadway Festival presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.

The deadline for film submissions for consideration by the festival is October 10, 2009. Submissions may be sent to Michael Hall, 610 Island Place, Redwood City, CA. 94065.

Principal financial support for Bluegrass On Broadway comes from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, the Redwood City Public Library, the Friends of the Library, Peninsula Christian Center, and Provident Credit Union.