Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival - One of the Best Free Events in US

MARCH 20-21, 2010

Temecula, Calif. --When you stroll down the streets of Old Town Temecula, you'll notice a bit of country. Speaker systems installed throughout the walkways and streets pump a variety of tunes with country the prominent theme. It's the perfect home for one the best, free bluegrass festivals in the USA. Read on....

OLD TOWN TEMECULA, CA—
Alan Munde Gazette will highlight the 10th Annual Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival March 20 & 21, 2010. Bandleader Munde’s long, rich history in the bluegrass community has solidified him as the one the world’s foremost 5-string banjo players. He brings his Gazette band of Elliott Rogers-Guitar/Vocal, Bill Honker-Bass/Vocal, Steve Smith-Mandolin/Vocal, and Nate Lee-Fiddle/Vocal. Gazette will play twice Saturday and Sunday of the event.

Beginning in 1972 when Munde became a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers performing with Byron Berline, Munde made his mark. After a European tour, the Burritos split up and Munde joined Country Gazette, then consisting of Roger Bush on bass, Kenny Wertz on guitar, and on the fiddle, Byron Berline, who had formed Country Gazette earlier in the year. Later in 1977, Munde and mandolinist Sam Bush recorded "Together again for the first time" with Roland White, Curtis Burch and John Cowan (both members of legendary "Newgrass Revival" with Sam Bush).

An instructor and respected instrumentalist, Munde was featured on an Instrumental Album of the Year “Knee Deep in Bluegrass.”  Also performing at the 2010 event is: Bluegrass Etc., Lonesome Otis, Sligo Rags, Hunt Family Bluegrass, the Silverado Bluegrass Band, and Highway 76 Bluegrass Band. More bands will be announced at a later date. This is the 10th Anniversary for Temecula’s annual event known as the best free bluegrass festival on the West Coast. Bands will perform on two stages from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Weather is not an issue as two of the stages are indoors. The outdoor stage can be converted to another indoor venue should there be inclement weather. All daytime concerts, workshops and jam sessions are free. Saturday evening will feature a paid concert in the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, an intimate 350-seat theater known for outstanding acoustics. The concert will feature Al Munde Gazette, Bluegrass Etc and Silverado for $15 per person. A Sunday afternoon matinee with Munde and Sligo Rags at 2 p.m. in the Theater is $10.

Pickers jam anywhere along the rustic streets of Old Town Temecula. Scheduled workshops on the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo are held each day and are free. Organized jam sessions with host bands make it easy for pickers to find a group to join.

“It’s the greatest part about a bluegrass festival. Fans are also musicians, some of them quite good and notable in the music world,” stated Melody Brunsting, organizer of the event. “We’ve had Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek show up on our stage just to jam with Bluegrass Etc. before.”

The legendary Moonalice Band will perform in concert Friday, March 19 at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater at 8 p.m. temeculatheater.org for tickets

Pickers can find a place to jam anywhere along the rustic streets of Old Town Temecula. Scheduled workshops on the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo are held each day and are also free. Organized jam sessions with host bands make it easy for pickers to find a group to join.

Sponsored by the City of Temecula, the Old Town Bluegrass Festival is just part of the entertainment held annually in the wine country region of Southern California. Old West gunfighters and costumed characters fill the streets in May  for Western Days, and in June the streets come alive with color for the Annual Street Painting Festival. Hot Summer Nights in July and August features local bands and entertainment every Friday evening, plus the International Jazz Festival in July.

To visit the cultural district of Old Town Temecula take the 15 Freeway to Rancho California Road or Highway 79 south and follow the signs leading to Old Town Front Street. Public parking is free. RV parking is available in town for $30 for the weekend. Reservations are recommended at (951) 678-0831. For more information call (951) 694-6412 or visit temeculacalifornia.com.