The Northern California Bluegrass Society is enjoying our Facebook fun, and you can, too, with our fab Northern California Bluegrass Facebook  Page.

“Like” us, please:

<www.facebook.com/the.ncbs>

Thanks for your support!

The California Bluegrass Association’s Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival is this weekend (Thursday-Sunday, June 16-19) at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

Steve Swan picks a little on the biggest banjo at Grass Valley.

If you are going to this “granddaddy” of the west’s bluegrass festivals, stop by and say hello to our friendly volunteers at the Northern California Bluegrass Society Information Booth.

NCBS volunteers & the audience staying dry together during record rainfall at Bluegrass For The Greenbelt June 3-4. Photo: Nina Weisman.

We will have details about all of the summer’s upcoming bluegrass events. The weather will be warm & dry in Grass Valley this week, much better than the last booth outing in Oakland. Enjoy!

The Northern California Bluegrass Society is a longtime organizational member of the International Bluegrass Music Association. NCBS members are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the work of this important worldwide advocate for bluegrass music.

Nominations (Due JUNE 30, 2011) are currently being accepted from IBMA members (including NCBS Members) for the following awards, to be presented during World of Bluegrass Week, Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, in Nashville, Tennessee:

• Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year
• Print Media Person of the Year
• Best Graphic Design
• Best Liner Notes
• Bluegrass Event of the Year

The eligibility period for special awards is April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011. Broadcasting and print media accomplishments during this time frame should be considered by those writing letters of nomination. Bluegrass events nominated need to have taken place during this time frame, and writers/designers nominated for the Liner Notes and Graphic Design awards should have their work included on CDs released for the first time commercially during the eligibility period.

Nominations for the five awards will be evaluated by special awards committees appointed by the IBMA board chairman. For more info, contact (Nancy Cardwell) nancyc (at) ibma (dot) org by e-mail or at 615-256-3222. Nominating letters, packets and sample recorded radio shows must be received no later than June 30, 2011.  Mail to: Special Awards, c/o IBMA, 2 Music Circle South, Ste. 100, Nashville, TN  37203.  Letters of nomination may also be emailed to Nancy Cardwell.

The usual Facebook fun, calendar convenience, information, and commentary is available on the Northern California Bluegrass Facebook  Page. If you “Like” us, we will like you!

URL: <www.facebook.com/the.ncbs>

There are two big bluegrass concerts this weekend on the Peninsula:

The Second Annual PTA Palooza on Friday, May 13 at 7:00pm is a benefit concert for the Juana Briones School PTA with Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands (Berkeley), The Tuttles With A. J. Lee (Palo Alto), and Snap Jackson & The Knock On Wood Players (Stockton).  Spangenberg Theatre (Gunn High School), Palo Alto. Informal food will be available before the show. (NCBS-sponsored.)

Redwood Bluegrass Associates will present The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience (Petaluma) on Saturday, May 14 at 8:00pm.  First Presbyterian Church, Mountain View. A pre-concert open jam begins at 5:00pm and dessert will be served at the show. (NCBS-sponsored.)

Also this weekend:

Help local bluegrass radio: KALW Radio (91.7FM, San Francisco) is conducting a “quiet” membership drive that does not interrupt programming. Those joining or renewing will receive the usual premiums. To be rewarded in a bluegrass sort of way, call in or pledge online during Peter Thompson’s Bluegrass Signal show, 6:30-8:00pm on Saturday, May 14. Details.