IBMM news: ROMP and more

The International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM) in Owensboro, KY, announced its Ambassador Program in November 2009 - a welcome initiative by the Museum in reaching out to partner with bluegrass associations all over the world.

Thanks to Garian Vigil, coordinator of the Ambassador Program for the IBMM, for news on the program and on the IBMM's River Of Music Party (ROMP) this year (23-6 June 2010). Garian recaps on how the program works: each bluegrass association that takes part appoints or elects someone to be its active Ambassador to the IBMM.

This Museum Ambassador will work with the Bluegrass Museum to trade news for our respective newsletters and work on special projects. We are also inviting the Ambassador to attend a yearly meeting of Ambassadors at ROMP in Owensboro each year. ROMP is our biggest fund-raising event and it takes place the fourth weekend of June. I would like to stress that attending ROMP is encouraged, but not required for participation in the program.

Ambassadors will receive a complimentary IBMM membership, a VIP ROMP pass (which includes VIP access to all events, backstage privileges, meals with Artists/Pioneers), and an Ambassadors t-shirt. The museum will arrange low-cost lodging for your Ambassador's stay at ROMP, getting in on our artists’ rates (typically $54/night + tax). There is also free camping at ROMP for the adventurous types.

We’re very excited to inform you about this year's ROMP (River of Music Party) held 23-26 June in Owensboro. We have a great lineup that includes Doc Watson, Pete Wernick, Mac Martin & the Dixie Travelers, Claire Lynch, Jack Hicks & Summertown Road, Michael Cleveland, Dailey & Vincent, G2, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Acousticure, Roland White, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, the Isaacs, John Cowan Band, Packway Handle Band and many more! Advance weekend passes are available for the low price of $75 for adults and $50 for IBMM members. Get a 4-day family pass for only $150. And there’s FREE camping!

As well as two #1 European Bluegrass Bands, G2 (Sweden) and Acousticure (Hungary), the lineup includes the New Appleseed Band from Japan. Full details of ROMP 2010 are on the Museum's website and on the ROMP 2010 flyer, which can be seen here.

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Gabrielle Gray, the IBMM's Executive Director, writes:

If you’re a visual artist and want to submit a work of art to potentially be included in the upcoming Bill Monroe Centennial Art Exhibit here at the Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY, please go to our website and read the short list of rules and download the application form. The deadline for submissions is 15 May. This is a juried exhibit and will be excellent.

Everyone else, please come see this exhibit. It kicks off the first of the Centennial events by opening this year at ROMP on 23 June 2010.

This Friday (23 April 2010) at 7.00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, who have made several tours in Europe including a powerful appearance at the Athy bluegrass festival, will be giving a concert at the IBMM for its benefit. The band, who have been the force behind this series of concerts in support of the Museum, will also have a CD release party at this time, introducing the first-ever CD made at the Museum. Tickets ($10) include a wine and cheese reception.