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The San Diego Bluegrass Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass music in the San Diego area. 


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Information for Participants About the 2013 Bluegrass Day at the Fair: Saturday June 8, 2013

Here is general information about participating in this year's Bluegrass Day at the Fair that you will need to know that will help ensure you have a great day.

Youth Performance at the 2012 Fair
Youth Performers on stage at Bluegrass Day at the Fair 2012

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

12:00--12:45               Kid presentation
12:50—2:10                Band Scramble
2:20 – 3:00                  Next Generation
3:10 – 3:50                  Rusty Gait
4:00 – 4:40                  The Swept Wing Chicken Thieves
4:50 – 5:30                  Box Canyon
5:40 – 6:20                  Old Town Road
6:30 – 7:10                  Prairie Sky

7:20 – 8:00                  The Tail Draggers

Schedule subject to change--check back!

PASSES. We will provide a pass for each participant (volunteer, performing band member, band scramble entrant, youth performer) who signs up on time (deadline: May 10). This pass will get the named person and one guest entering with them into the fair for free. We need to have your name (first and last), and your email and mailing address no later than May 10, 2013 in order to be sure we can get you a pass (details at right for different categories of participant). If you are under 18 we also need the name, first and last, of a chaperon.

Parking and Entry. We have a limited number of parking passes for parking in the Entertainers' Lot. Please car pool if you can. You will enter through the Solana Gate on Via de la Valle--NOT through the main parking area or main fair entry. Attendants will tell you where to park. We suggest you allow 30 minutes to park and get to the stage once you arrive at the fairgrounds, so plan accordingly!

The Stage. We are on the Paddock Stage, a great location.

Using Your Pass and Getting to the Stage. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Paddock Stage from the Entertainers' parking lot. If you need a cart ride (for bass, etc.) see the section on carts below. After you park, you will go to the Special Events' entry gate at the back of the fair. Check in with your pass and they will give you a wrist band or hand stamp. You will need to show an I.D. as well. Your pass will have your name on it and that name must match the i.d. shown. One guest can enter with you.

Green Room. There will be a tent behind the stage where performers can warm up and store their cases. Water will be available. A volunteer will be assigned to watch the green room, but we cannot be responsible for losses or thefts; you are responsible for your own instruments and belongings!

Carts. If you have an upright bass, trouble walking, or for other reasons need a cart ride we will have a limited number of cart passes. The carts will take you from the Special Events' check in area to the stage and will pick you up after the event. Be aware, though, that the cart service is controlled by the Fair and it can sometimes require waiting, especially on exiting.

Schedule. The event will start at noon and end at 8:00 P.M. The Youth Performance is schedule to start at noon and end at 12:30 P.M. The Band Scramble is scheduled to start at 12:30 P.M.and end at 2:00 P.M. Performing bands will receive their scheduled performance time by email. The performing bands have not yet been selected. When selected performing bands will receive their schedule by email. THE OVERALL SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AT THIS POINT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE, SO CHECK BACK!

Questions? Email your questions to: info@sandiegobluegrass.org

Guitar winners - 2012 Fair
Dwight Worden (r), SDBS President, congratulates two of the band scramble winners, Dale Desmuke and Nick Nicholson, at the 2012 Fair Band Scramble.

 


 

Band Scramble

 

The band scramble is scheduled to start at 12:30 pm and go to 2 pm. Read the general information in the column at the left. Here is how to sign up:

* TO ENTER: Send an email to: ncbfcletter@gmail.com with: (1) Your name (first and last) (2) the instrument you play (3) your email and mailing address (4) whether you need a parking and/or cart pass-we'll try to get you one, but can't promise it! If you sign up on or before May 10th we can guarantee you an admission pass good for you and one guest. After May 10 we will try to get you a pass, but no guarantees! If you miss the May 10 cut-off date you can still sign up to enter the Band Scramble after that, including on site the day of the event, but we cannot offer an admission pass, so do your best to sign up early.

* SIGN IN ON SITE: Fill out an entry slip at the Paddock Stage when you get there. Please do this even if you have pre-registered so we know you are there! Please check in at the Paddock Stage at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the Band Scramble.

* RULES: Here are the rules: You may enter on: (1) guitar (2) banjo (3) mandolin (4) fiddle (5) bass (6) specialty [dobro, mouth harp, etc.]. You may also enter (7) male vocalist (8) female vocalist (9) youth [16 and under]. You can enter more than one category, for example, guitar and male vocalist. Vocalists must also play an instrument, there is no separate category just for vocalists. You will be assigned randomly to a band, will have about 15 minutes to meet your band mates and work up 2-3 tunes that you will then perform on stage. Judges will determine winners for best band and in each entry category.

Performing Bands

THE PERFORMING BANDS HAVE NOT YET BEEN SELECTED. If your band is selected your band leader will be notified. At that point read the Information column at the left for general information. If you have questions, send an email to Mary Jane Cupp at: mjcupp@yahoo.com. You must be on time, warmed up, tuned up, and ready to go at your start time. There willl be a complete sound system with a separate monitor mix. There will be d.i. boxes to plug into if needed. You will not be able to bring your own mics or change the on-stage set up. There will be ten minutes max of change over time between acts and we will not have time to do a sound check for each band. We will do a quick level set and then you will be ready to go. Please be sure to leave the stage on time as well, as a courtesy to the next band.

Youth Performances

Read the general information column at the left. If you are performing in the youth presentation your show is scheduled to begin at noon and go to 12:30 pm. Please be on site, tuned up, and ready to go 15 minutes early. If you have questions or would like to participate send an email to Mark Pullin at:  mbpullin@yahoo.com. Your teacher or a stage manager will tell you where to stand on stage. Here are the songs you will be performing, but check back as there may be changes:

Beginning Group: Bile Them Cabbage Down (key of A); Old Joe Clark (Key of A or G); Cripple Creek (key of A)

Intermediate/Advanced Group: Whiskey Before Breakfast (key of D); John Ryan's Polka (key of G); Road to Lisdoonvarna (key of Am G; not Em and D); Clinch Mountain Backstep (key of A).

When you arrive at the fair you will need to have your chaperon with you. It is your chaperon who is responsible for you during Bluegrass Day at the Fair.

Volunteers at the Fair

If you want to volunteer at Bluegrass Day at the Fair, first read the general information column at the left. Then download the volunteer form here and fill it out. To return it, either scan and email your completed form to John Avery at: jravery1@att.net or mail it to the address printed at the bottom of the form. . We are looking for volunteers to (1) staff an info table (2) monitor the green room (3) assist the sound and stage managers (4) assist with band scramble sign ups, etc. (5) assist with the youth performance (6) general assistance. Volunteers get a free admission pass good for you and one guest, and we will do our best to get you a parking pass. To be sure you get a free admission pass sign up with John Avery no later than May 10.

Questions about volunteering? Send an email to John Avery at: jravery1@att.net