THIS IS BLUEGRASS!
The Northern Bluegrass Circle Music Society (NBCMS) is a registered non-profit organization based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Our mission is to promote, present, and preserve Bluegrass music for it's members and the general public. Please come back often for the latest on the Alberta Bluegrass scene!
Make sure to visit the Northern Bluegrass Circle Legacy Street Stage at the Blueberry Music Festival!
Acoustic Bluegrass Jam every Wednesday at the Pleasantview Community Hall 10860-57 Ave. Jamming starts at 6:30pm.
Download the NBCMS Jamming Songbook 1 or the Bluegrass 101 Song Book
to print for FREE
Play Along!
Northern Bluegrass Circle Jamming Song Book Spotify Playlist
NBCMS UPCOMING EVENTS
Not a NBCMS member yet?
Become a member and save on all club events!
In response to our member workshop survey, we are excited to present:
Wednesday Workshops
A series of three Wednesday Workshops will be offered this fall at the Pleasantview Community Hall.
7:00 to 8:30 pm
NBCMS Members - $12.00
Non-Members - $15.00
Featuring:
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024There are only 15 spots available for each workshop.
We recommend you register early as these sessions will fill up fast.
OCTOBER 18-20, 2024
Fall Jam Camp
at Gull Lake Centre
LET’S JAM…FOR A WHOLE WEEKEND IN OCTOBER!
Halfway between Edmonton and Calgary is the Gull Lake Centre.
Come to the NBCMS Jam Camp October 18-20 where the music is EVERYWHERE! The numerous jamming circles are big and small, take your pick.
The Gull Lake Centre offers comfortable accommodations, delicious meals and a relaxed setting. Nothing to do but play music and make your bed…optional.
The October Jam Camp satisfies the need to collaborate with others to create music together. The Jam Camp is a real treat, sign up!
More About Gull Lake Centre
Gull Lake Centre is a small, cozy facility with the perfect layout for finding the right jam. Slide into your slippers, grab your instrument, and head down the hall, your gonna find a jam. Finish that jam, walk up some stairs and there it is, another jam, then another hallway leading to another jam. It just goes on and on like that all weekend. Doesn’t that sound like a great weekend!
The building has undergone an upgrade, new beds, carpet and the likes.
A choice of dorm accommodations for singles or private rooms (2 to a room, shared bathrooms with showers).
The nice thing about the building is the quaint jamming spaces. There are 5 lounge areas within the building to host a jam.
We also have access to a simple kitchen where you can put your snacks and keep your beverages cold.
The Northern Bluegrass Circle sponsors the October Jam Camp and welcomes all musicians with a passion for sharing and learning. There will be opportunities to play bluegrass, country, folk, swing and old time.
For more information about the jam camp, contact Anna at info@bluegrassnorth.com. She can answer your questions.
SAVE THE DATE
RiverCity Bluegrass Festival
January 17 to 19, 2025
Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre
More Details Coming Soon
Down at the Jam Wednesdays
The Northern Bluegrass Circle Jam starts at 6:30 pm at Pleasantview Hall 10860-57 Ave.
Come on down join the fun and expand your bluegrass repertoire.
Bluegrass 101 will be the first Wednesday of the month. The Marshall Centre (next door to the Pleasantview Hall) will be open for jamming coinciding with Bluegrass 101 for those who just want to jam, Jams start at 6:30 pm. Please feel free to move from one space to the other and find what jam works for you. The other Wednesdays of the month will be "circle" jams. We have split the jam to make three smaller jams, one on the stage, one in the main hall and one in the lower level. The smaller jams provide us an opportunity to have more than one turn, it is easier to hear the other jammers, are friendlier and give us a chance to get to know each other. We now have a wall of acoustic panels to isolate the smaller jams that needs to be set up and put away every Wednesday. Please make time for volunteering with this process.
The challenge of a successful jam is accommodating all the different levels of jammers. Bluegrass 101 will accommodate the newbies and some of the oldies depending on their interest. The Jam is a safe place to push yourself out of your comfort zone. We are there to support each other, but please be prepared for when your turn comes. You don't need to take a break on every song, so it’s okay to pass and don't feel left out if you are not asked to take one. It is not a performance; it is a jam. Your turn is your opportunity to lead a song. To ensure success please take time before you attend to plan the songs or tunes you want to share. Practice at home and then bring them to the jam. We all need a place we enjoy and to nurture our bluegrass community that has supported us and our jam for 28 years.
We all want to be in a jam that makes us smile and say “now that was fun”!
Bluegrass 101
Past Bluegrass 101 videos can be found on The Bix Mix Boys YouTube channel.
If you are new to bluegrass, join Darcy Whiteside and Jim Storey for Bluegrass 101.
Each month, Darcy & Jim will teach a new bluegrass standard tune in an easy-to-follow format that makes it fun to learn. They will cover the vocal parts and how all the instruments work together to make it sound great!
Suggested donation on Bluegrass 101 nights is $5.00
Member Perk: If you’re a member of the Northern Bluegrass Circle, the cost of Bluegrass 101 will remain as part of your $2 suggested donation at the door.
If you’re a not a NBCMS member a $5 a donation will be requested at the door.
Our membership year is Feb 28th to March 1st.
$15 for an individual membership or $25 for a family membership.
Membership pays. Join today!
NBCMS Membership has PERKS!
