Balla Bluegrass Festival, 25-28 Oct. 2013

The BIB editor reports:

The 5th Balla Bluegrass Festival, beginning on Friday week and extending over the bank holiday weekend, winds up the 2013 festival season. The attractive new website commemorates the late and much missed Vinny Baker with the above picture of Hard Station, and includes photos from earlier years, a guide to accommodation in Balla, and - most important - the full lineup and schedule.

Mayo's own Rocky Top String Band (shown below) open the proceedings at 8.00 p.m. on Friday evening at Mannion's; the Banjaxed Bluegrass Band play at the Olde Woods that night at 10.30 and the following night at 8.00; Woodbine follow the same pattern on Saturday and Sunday nights in Mannion's; Bending the Strings play the late show in the Olde Woods on Sunday, and Colonel Bullshot Rides Again play a 7.00 p.m. show in Mannion's on Monday. Added to which, there will be banjo, fiddle, and mandolin workshops on Sunday at 4.00 p.m., followed by Howling Crimes playing instruments they made themselves. AND an autoharp will be raffled during the weekend.

Woodbine always have a good time at Balla (though we work hard for it), and all bluegrass fans who can get there should go!