The San Diego Bluegrass Society sponsors a wide variety of bluegrass music events, including regular Tuesday events with open mics and jam sessions for San Diegans and visitors who desire to play bluegrass in a group setting, with a featured band on the 4th Tuesday. SDBS also sponsors bluegrass concerts by nationally recognized bands touring through our region, along with workshops and other educational activities.

Check out our Events+Calendar page for details. Better yet, sign up for our email list and we'll keep you informed of special events. Best of all, join the SDBS for our monthly e-newsletter, special member discounts, and more, You'll enjoy becoming part of our family-friendly community, and knowing that your support keeps bluegrass music alive and well in San Diego.

July 22, 2014 (4th Tuesday); 8 pm at the Boll Weevil 9330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. SDBS presents Rusty Gait as Featured Band

SDBS welcomes back Rusty Gait as a Featured Band for SDBS. Rusty Gait brings smooth vocals, great instrumentation, and a polished performance of traditional and more modern bluegrass music. The band was a hit as opening band for Special Consensus in January and we expect a great show at the July 22nd 4th Tuesday.

Rusty Gait is a San Diego North County band focused on Bluegrass, Western Swing and Old Time music. The name Rusty Gait connotes both an old rustic metal gate and a dance gait, both swinging with a bit of a creak. The band delights its audience with an eclectic set list of foot-tapping rhythms and long-forgotten lyrics to fiddle tunes.

The band is:

James Rust. Mandolin and tenor vocals in an old-timey way.

David Collins. Fun-loving fiddler who likes to sneak a little jazz and swing into the old tunes

Bill Frisbie. Obsessed flat-picking guitarist and song writer strongly influenced by Doc Watson.

Lance Gucwa. Multi-genre performer who brings powerful, driving bass lines combined with tasteful infusing of classical and jazz influences.

Steve Dame Avid dog-lover brings a hard-driving, yet sensitive, banjo sound to our mix.

Schedule: Open mic and Pick-up bands 6:30-8; Rusty Gait 8-9 pm

Location: Boll Weevil Restaurant, 9330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92123.

Admiussion: Free; donations suggested

Summergrass: August 15-17, 2014. Southern California's Premier Bluegrass Festival

With our sister organization in San Diego, The North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club, we co-produce Summergrass, a premier 3-day bluegrass festival held each August. Summergrass was a blast this year! We had a great turnout, great bands, and tons of jamming!

Watch the Summergrass website for updates on next year's event.

Perennial favorites Bluegrass Etc. at Summergrass 2013. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Andersen)

Free Music Outreach with Emma's Gut Bucket Band

SDBS has an active music outreach program with Emma’s Gut Bucket Band, bringing bluegrass music and instruction to public and private schools, senior centers, assisted living facilities, homeless centers and the like at no cost. We also offer a lending library of instructional materials, plus an instrument lending Library, to our members. An instrument donation program is also available. Send us an email for info: info@sandiegobluegrass.org.

Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2014: Saturday July 5 11 am to 8 pm.

Bluegrass day at the Fair 2014 will feature a kids performance, a fiddling demonstration, a band scramble, and 5 great bands in concert! Band Scramble registration is now open. The event will be on the Plaza Stage. To enter the band scramble click here. For info about the band scamble click here. Check back for details on performing bands, demos and other activities.

Schedule July 5, 2014 Plaza Stage Del Mar Fair:

11 am: Youth Performance

Noon-1 pm Pie Eating Contest (Run by the Fair)

1-1:45 pm California State Old Time Fiddlers Assoc. District 7 Fiddling Demonstration

2-3:45 pm: BAND SCRAMBLE

4-8 PM Five Top Bands in Concert

Check back for band names and times

Chris Clarke and Plow on stage Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2013

Looking for a bluegrass band for your event? Let us know, and we'll assist you in locating a band that meets the particular needs of your party or event. Contact: info@sandiegobluegrass.org.