Winter Bluegrass Weekend

The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association has rustled up over 50 local and national acts into the most foot-tappin' three days of fun you're liable to have this winter; it's the perfect way to shake off cabin fever. Headlining the event is Rustler's Moon. Kathy Kallick, who sings and picks the six-string in the band, holds a lifetime achievement award from the California Bluegrass Association, and her bandmates match her twang for twang. Saturday evening, they join the Platte Valley Boys and the Becky Schlegel Band in two different concerts. If that's not enough roots music to cure you, the rest of the weekend holds the surefire antidote. Two concert halls and a dance parlor (with square dance lessons) are each manned throughout the day by bands on 45-minute rotations. For players of any skill level, scheduled jam sessions with local picking great Bill Cagley promise an opportunity to showcase (or develop) your own chops. On Sunday, a cadre of talented elementary, middle, and high school kids armed with acoustic instruments take the stage to melt your heart, rounding out the weekend with a showcase of the future of Minnesota bluegrass. For more info call 800.635.3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.
Fri., Feb. 29, 7 p.m.-midnight; Sat., March 1, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., March 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2008