Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival features open mike, three bands at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens

Published 7:56 pm Wednesday, August 25, 2010

It’s hard to beat the beauty of tall trees, flowers in bloom and miles of rhododendrons.

But the organizers of the Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival hope to do that by combining the setting of the Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens with traditional American acoustic music.

The festival begins inside the 10-acre Meerkerk Gardens with an open-mike jam session where families and bluegrass musicians carry on the old-time musical tradition of learning with each other.

Then, three bluegrass bands will perform all afternoon: Pearly Blue, Urban Monroes and Deadwood Revival.

Pearly Blue specializes in a traditional bluegrass music featuring picking and harmonizing vocals.

Urban Monroes has a contemporary bluegrass style that is fast-paced and energetic, performing original and traditional tunes. They have been featured on the Public Broadcasting System series “Art Beat,” according to press material.

Deadwood Revival is comprised of four string players who play music that is Appalachia-based with a lot of hootenanny, the press material said.

“Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival” runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Meerkerk Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank.

Tickets are $12, free for children 16 and under, at www.meerkerkgardens.org or at the door.

Grilled food and light beverages will be available for purchase.

The show is presented by musicians Keith Bowers and Kristi O’Donnell as a benefit for Meerkerk Gardens. For more information go to www.meerkerkgardens.org.

Herald staff