Darrington Bluegrass Festival says show will go on this July

Darrington’s Bluegrass Festival officials want it made known: The show will go on.

Diana Morgan, a bluegrass association board member, sent out messages this past week imploring people to attend the festival, set for July 18 through 20 at the festival grounds, on Highway 530 just west of Darrington.

If Highway 530 is not repaired by then, people will have to drive around through Concrete or over the Mountain Loop Highway to get to the festival.

“We know that some of you have heard rumors that the festival was not going to happen, but I assure you that it is going to happen and we hope that all of you will come and support our festival and our town of Darrington,” Morgan said in her note.

People can support the festival beginning Saturday at a benefit concert from 4 to 8 p.m. April 19 at the Maltby Community Center, 8711 206th St. SE, south of Snohomish.

Tickets are $10 each to see Money Creek Mining Co., Blueberry Hill, North Country and The Combinations.

“This benefit concert is to help raise funds for the new building on the festival grounds and for upkeep on the grounds,” Morgan said. “However, we will have a donation table set up for the mudslide disaster.”

The festival, which draws bluegrass fans from throughout the region to the annual event, has announced its line-up.

Performers include Joe Mullins &The Radio Ramblers, Audie Blaylock &Redline, Money Creek Mining Co., Great Northern Planes, Kevin Pace &The Early Edition, New South Fork, Greenbrier Connection, Birdsview Bluegrass, Faast &Blair, North Country, Blueberry Hill, Joyful Noise and The Combinations.

Benefit shows

The following is a list of some of the benefit concerts arranged in support of the people affected by the March 22 landslide on Highway 530, east of Oso.

Oso Benefit: Evening of April 18, JD Slicks, 923 Main St., Sultan.

Austin Jenckes Benefit Concert for Oso: 7 p.m. April 19, Riverview School District Education Service Center, 15510 First Ave. NE, Duvall. Tickets in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Country pop singer Austin Jenkes of Duvall made it into the top-10 finalists list on season five of the TV show, “The Voice.” More information at www.duvallculture.org.

Oso Benefit Concert: 6 p.m. April 20, El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave, Seattle. All ages. $15 at the door. Performers include Steady Riot, Hardwired, Terranova, Eight 53 and Foster Choir.

Oso/Darrington Bluegrass Benefit: 8 p.m. April 23, Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St., Fremont, Seattle. $10 goes to Oso charity fund.

Conway Muse Benefit for Oso: 7:30 p.m. April 25 at 18444 Spruce St., Conway. Performers include Michael Thomas, Knut Bell and Alfie Harpo.

Oso Strong: 2 to 9 p.m. April 26, Buzz Inn, 5200 172nd St. NE, Arlington. Performers include Jesse Taylor, Marlin James and Latigo Lace.

Fuel for Oso: Help Darrington folks with their travel costs. 9 p.m. May 2, Shanty Tavern, 9002 Lake City Way, Seattle. $10 tickets at the door. Featuring an acoustic concert by JD Hobson, Country Dave Harmonson and Andy Wylie.

All You Need is Love: 5 to 10 p.m. May 3, Rhodes River Ranch, 22016 Entsminger Road, Arlington. The baristas from Stilly Coffee House are putting on a bachelor and bachelorette date night auction and pasta bar with live music from Piper Lee, Josh Clauson and Knut Bell. Tickets are $15 from the Stilly Coffee House, 530 N. West Ave., Arlington, inside the Arlington Pharmacy. Tickets are $20 at the door.

Acoustic for Oso: Evening of May 9, Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle. Performers include The Presidents of the United States of America, the Meices, Duff McKagan, Alessandra Rose.

Benefit Show: Evening of May 10, Flights Pub, 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett. Performances by Lacero, Darklight, Rain Light Fade and Eros.

Hope for Oso: noon to 8 p.m. May 17 at the Stanwood Camano Fairgrounds, 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood. Family friendly music, kids activities.

Tractor Tavern Benefit for Oso: 8 p.m. May 12, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave., Seattle. Tickets $25.

Raising Hope for Oso: 7 p.m. May 24, Eagles Hall, 1000 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. Performers include Ragged Edge, Shadow Creek Project, Contrabanned. $10 donation goes to relief funds.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.