Despite being a one-day affair, the Brackendale Bluegrass Festival (May 2 at the Brackendale Art Gallery) is better than ever, according to organizer Cam Salay.
“Originally, the festival was (art gallery owner) Thor Froslev’s idea,” said Salay. “He thought it was something that was needed. It started out as a two-day event over the weekend, but instead of splitting the audience over two nights, we decided to pool all our efforts into one night.”
The one-day bluegrass fest is hosted by Dave Zaruba, president of Vancouver’s Bluegrass Society.
“The festival kicks off with a slo-pitch jam at 2 p.m.,” said Salay. “Slo-pitch means we start out pretty slow so beginner players feel comfortable. Everyone is welcome.”
Salay said he’s particularly stoked for this year’s 13th incarnation of the festival.
“I’m quite excited this year, because we have the band North Country headlining the event,” he said. “They’re from Seattle, but they’ve got Michael Kilby, who is a teenager from Squamish and is just an amazing player.”
Featuring strong harmonies and fast-fingered musicianship, the band is quickly rising and making a name for itself in the Northwest bluegrass scene. This year, North Country took 6th place at the SPBGMA international bluegrass competition in Nashville Tennessee, competing against bands from all over North America.
“These are some pretty serious young musicians,” said Salay.
And Salay should know. He’s a Juno Award-winning musician himself, and a sometime member of Canadian roots/rock band The Paperboys.
Opening for North Country will be Southbound Train, a band featuring Salay, Paul Coulter-Brown, Kilby’s dad Richard Kilby on bass, and Michael Kilby playing fiddle and pedal steel guitar. Also singing will be Emily Ashcroft, whom Salay describes as “a 13-year-old banjo wiz.”
The show starts May 2 at 8 p.m. There is a charge for tickets and also a small charge for the jam at 2 p.m. All proceeds go to the bands and towards the festival.
Tickets are available for purchase at the art gallery. For more info, call 604-898-3333.
