The Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association is an all-volunteer organization based in Spokane, WA that seeks to build public awareness of bluegrass music in our area through concerts, festivals, jam sessions and other events.  If you are interested in learning more about us, one of the best ways to do that is to check out the Saturday Night Bluegrass Thang, held every third Saturday from October through April at Trent Elementary School at Trent & Pines in the Spokane Valley.  The SNBT showcases some of the great bluegrass bands in our area -- usually 4 to 6 bands play on stage each month, followed by a very lively jam at the Savage House Pizza at 700 S Dishman Rd., Spokane Valley.

The INBA is also the proud sponsor of the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival held every August in Medical Lake near Spokane -- just one of the growing number of great bluegrass festivals held throughout our region.

Saturday, May 10:  Spring String Thing Workshops

One of the favorite events of the year for INBA members is our annual Spring String Thing -- a day of workshops, jamming, a potluck dinner and an evening concert.  This year the event will be held at Colbert Presbyterian Church, 4211 E. Colbert Rd., Colbert, WA (about 9 miles north of the Division "Y" just west of Highway 2 at Colbert Road).  This cost is $5.00 for INBA members ($20.00 per family up to 5), or $20 for non-members, which also gets you a year's membership to the INBA.

A complete schedule, mail-in registration form and more information is available here.

This year's workshops include:

• Beginning Instrument:  For those who have mastered basic chords (individual instructors below).
• Intermediate Instrument:  For those ready for more challenge.
  • Lead Guitar:  Ken Glastre
  • Mandolin:  Dan Gore
  • Banjo:  Charley Gurche
  • Bass:  Bonnie Bliss
  • Fiddle:  Andrew Wilson
  • Dobro:  Andre Vachon
• Voice (Dannie Lynn Plummer):  Strategies for singing with confidence.
• Harmony Vocals (Dannie Lynn Plummer, Pat Foster, Pamela Brownlee):  How to find your note, blend, etc.
• Using a Central Mic (Jim Faddis):  Effective use of stage equipment.
• Band Business (Jim Faddis):  Bookings, setting fees, etc.
• Songwriting (Kelly Bogan):  What makes a good song; lyrics & melody.
• Slow Jam (Ernie Vollmer):   A great environment for learning how to jam. 

For more information, contact Pat Foster at (509) 292-8443.

Saturday, May 17:  Saturday Night Bluegrass Thang & AWARDS CEREMONY!

The Saturday Night Bluegrass Thang (aka "SNBT" or "Thang")  is a regular INBA event featuring local bluegrass artists and bands, held on the 3rd Saturday of each month at Trent Elementary School.   The next SNBT will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 pm.  THIS IS THE FINAL BLUEGRASS THANG UNTIL FALL!  There will be a special Awards Ceremony as part of the evening's show.  Stay tuned for more details.

Thursday, May 22 - AM Stringband Concert

Old-timey music fans won't want to miss the AM Stringband in concert at Rick Singer Photography Studio on Thursday, May 22.  The AM String band is a Helena, Montana based old time string trio featuring tight vocal harmonies, clever lyrics and a revolving instrumentation including fiddles, banjo, guitar and foot percussion. The band plays original songs along side Appalachian fiddle tunes and ballads, interwoven with elements of French-Canadian and contra dance fiddle styles, classical bowing, and strong rhythmic accompaniment. Tickets are $10 and are available at Rick's studio.  Space is limited so don't wait until the last minute! Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show is at 7:30.   More information is available at the Rick Singer Photography Studio website.

Friday June 20 - Misty River Concert

The INBA is proud to welcome Misty River for a special concert at Trent Elementary on Friday, June 20.  Over the past decade, Misty River has developed a loyal base of fans in the Pacific Northwest, who have come to appreciate the tight, clean vocal harmonies and wide-ranging repertoire of this acoustic quartet. The harmonies from these four women will leave you spellbound on critically-acclaimed originals and traditional favorites, and their warm stage presence will make for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment. The new Misty River CD "Stories" celebrates the 10-year anniversary of this fine Northwest band.  Reviewer Joe Ross calls it "pleasantly nostalgic, blissfully romantic, or thoughtfully sensual. The soothing melody-driven result is Misty River's charming je ne sais quoi".

The concert will be at 7:00 pm at Trent Elementary School, 3303 N. Pines, Spokane Valley, WA. Tickets are $15 and are available now at all INBA events, or by contacting Milt Asher via email, phone: 509-465-5898, or snail-mail: PO Box 942, Spokane, WA 99210

Turn Your Radio On! Support bluegrass Spokane Public Radio. Tune in to Front Porch Bluegrass every Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. on KPBX FM 91.1.  You can also listen online!

You are visitor number since 10/7/2001.

Please email web site comments, corrections, etc. to: