Tacoma will be the center of the musical universe Thursday through Feb. 27 when the 12th annual Wintergrass Bluegrass &Acoustic Music Festival kicks off.
Bluegrass, new grass, jazzgrass, acoustic, Celtic, old-time tunes and Americana music rule five stages plus jam sessions around town.
The festival is also a chance to take workshops from world-class musicians.
The schedule is packed through the Feb. 27 end, when The Bluebirds, Linda Ronstadt, Laurie Lewis and Maria Muldaur close down the festival.
Dolly Parton’s back-up band, The Grascals, entertain during a Thursday evening of bluegrass karaoke.
Music will start early (10 a.m. Feb. 27) and late (midnight Feb. 26), and impromptu performances have been caught in elevators and lobbies.
Musicians include David Grisman Quintet, Mandolin Mama and Grammy nominee Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, JD Crowe and the New South, Peter Rowan, Reeltime Travelers, Tony Rice, Lynn Morris Band, Downtown Mountain Boys, Leah Larson Band, Misty River, Seldom Scene, King Wilkie, and String Helix.
Venues are the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, the Bicentennial Pavilion, and the 900-seat First Baptist Church.
A variety of ticket options are best seen at www.winter grass.com. Last year the festival sold out.
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