Sedona Bluegrass Festival 2008 on May 4

Five days of Bluegrass fill the air;
Wednesday, April 30 through Sunday, May 4

Sedona, AZ - April 26, 2008 - The Sedona Bluegrass Festival 2008 presented by Chamber Music Sedona (CMS) takes place Sunday, May 4 from noon to 6pm as part of a 5-day residency that will include four in-school concerts, BBQ concert, free informance, bluegrass workshops in Flagstaff and the Sunday Festival Creekside at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa.

The Festival and activities are sponsored by Shephard-Wesnitzer Engineering and Los Abrigados.

“It all started five years ago,” said Chamber Music Sedona executive director Bert Harclerode. “We had the Fry String Quartet in town for our Spring Residency. One of the projects as part of the Sedona Arts & Heritage Days was a brunch at the Sedona Apple Barn on the property of the Sedona Historical Society. We brought the Fry together with Patrick Clark and Country Custom blending classical and country together, and it’s not stopped.”

“Music is like food, we need quality and variety,” said Harclerode “and we’ll have a full range of grains, greens, pluckers and strummers, pickers and bowers and toe-tapping music for one and all.” Headlining the week is Psychograss,“…five of the most virtuosic and creative progressive bluegrassers around, but what makes Psychograss such a treat is the whimsical, goofball attitude with which they approach the music. Like all the best instrumental music, it'll make you gasp one minute and laugh out loud the next,” said Mangos & Mandolins.

Led by an all-star cast including mandolinist Mike Marshall and fiddler Darol Anger, Psychograss will perform four in-school concerts throughout Sedona. “It’s important that not just the big kids, but also the little kids hear our work,” said Mike Marshall, who is also a CMS Artistic Advisor. “The Festival format is a lot of fun, but with our in-school concerts we hope to share our join of music making without barriers. The Thursday BBQ Concert we’re looking forward to very much, you might call it ‘ChamberGrass,’” said Marshall in a recent interview.

Psychograss is featured each day of its 5-day residency and begins 7pm Wednesday with an “Informance,” informal performance, at the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, 100 Meadowlark Drive at Highway 179 made possible by Title Sponsor Diamond Resorts International. “The evening is very informal,” said Harclerode. “This is a very up front and personal opportunity to meet these men, listen to their stories, hear their music and get a chance to win tickets to Sunday’s Festival Creekside at Los Abrigados.”

A very special evening is planned Thursday when “Prime Time with Psychograss” takes place at a private West Sedona home. The 5:30pm dinner and concert will offer patrons a unique opportunity to mingle, schmooz and dine with Psychograss. Fixings will include prime rib, chicken, BBQ beans, caesar salad, veggies and apple pie ala mode. The event is limited to 35 patrons and admission is $75/person. Members are $65/person or $125/couple. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 204.2415.

Friday evening from 4:30-8pm, as part of the Sedona Gallery Association’s First Friday Artwalk, The Burnett Family Bluegrass will perform four acoustic concerts throughout the Gallery District beginning at 4:30pm at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. The quintet will then perform at Lanning Gallery, followed by a performance at Sedona Arts Center, and finishing at Goldenstein Gallery from 7:15-8pm. The evening performances are funded in part by the City of Sedona Arts & Culture Commission.

Thursday and Friday the five members of Psychograss perform in-school concerts at West Sedona and Big Park Schools, as well as at Verde Valley School and Sedona Red Rocks High School. The programs are made possible with Arizona Tax Credit funds. The programs are not open to the public.

Saturday afternoon from 1-3pm on the campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, hosted by the School of Music, Psychograss will present workshops for mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass. Admission is $25/person and reservations are suggested. Private lessons are also available and reservations must be made in and paid for in advance. The program is funded in part by the Flagstaff Cultural Partners.

The Sedona Bluegrass Festival takes place Sunday, May 4 from noon to 6pm Creekside at Los Abrigados. Sponsored by Shephard-Wesnitzer Engineering, BySynery and Los Abrigados, the Festival will include features not available in 2007. “Tickets stay at the same price, yet we’ll offer patrons the chance to purchase a meal prepared by Los Abrigados including a choice of Chicken Sandwich, Burger, Veggie Burger or Hot dog along with chips, a drink and cookie. “Bert’s put together a dynamite line-up,” said CMS Trustee and local musician Chris Seymour. “In five days Psychograss will have played for an estimated 1,750 people from all walks of life, in seven settings in Sedona and Flagstaff, sharing their virtuosity and brilliant performances with all,” said Seymour.

$25/person at the door. $35/person* w/meal pack and advance purchase with a choice of hotdog, burger, veggie burger or chicken sandwich, w/side salad, soft drink, chips and cookie. Children's pricing available with age 3-9~ $5.00 ($15 /meal pack and advance purchase), 10-17 ~ $10.00 ($20 /meal pack and advance purchase) . For advance with meal pack call 928.204.2415

TICKETS AVAILABLE by Phone or throughout the Northland in Sedona at Bashas' and Rycus' Corners-VOC, in Flagstaff at Arizona Music Pro and Cedar Music, and in Cottonwood at Planet Video & Music. No food, drink or tobacco is allowed.

Sedona Roadrunner Early bird parking will be available at the uptown parking lot and other locations. Visit www.SedonaRoadrunner.com for complete details. Sedona Trolley transportation will pick-up patrons from the Elks Club back parking lot at Highway 89A and Airport Road. Parking will also be available at the Mormon Church parking lot from 1-7pm with Trolley service as well. The Trolley will also be picking up patrons from locations in uptown Sedona with up to the minute information at www.chambermusicsedona.org

For additional information visit www.chambermusicsedona.org or call 928.204.2415.