Tag: Travel

Gig Bag: Reuben Bidez

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Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Reuben Bidez catalogs the items he always has nearby when out on the road.


Denim Jacket: It doesn’t really matter even if it’s the middle of summer, I’m gonna bring my denim jacket with me. It’s worn in and comfortable, and in the evenings I get chilly. Especially in those air conditioned venues. So, 9 times out of 10, if you come to a show, you’ll see me wearing this jacket.

Astros Baseball Cap: I’m a big baseball fan! And although I was raised a Braves fan and still am, I got pulled into the Astros by my friend Collin McHugh. He and I had been friends since his minor league days, and I got to watch him make his way up to the majors. We developed a deep friendship along the way, both loving what the other one did for a living. We both joke about having job envy for the other. He clearly has the better job though…

My Guitar: Marcella, my 12-string. This seems like an obvious thing to bring with you, but sometimes I’ll tour with just this guitar. It was given to me by a family friend and named after my ex-wife’s grandmother who had passed away. We had traveled to Rome, Georgia, for the funeral and the family was sitting around talking in the family room of a family friend named James. There were guitars everywhere and I went over and picked up this guitar. James asked if I had a 12-string, which I didn’t at the time. He insisted that I take it since he already had another acoustic 12-string. I named her Marcella that weekend. She has such a magical sound and can really fill the room.

Baseball Glove: Did I mention I’m a baseball fan? It’s best to keep a glove with you at all times. Two gloves if you have the room. There’s a lot of hurry up and wait when touring, so I like to toss the ball around to kill some time. Pictured here is my World Series ball from Game 5 this year. It was the most exhilarating game I had ever been to and has maybe ruined sporting events for me for the rest of my life…

Seinfeld Videos: What’s the deal with entertaining yourself? Yeah, I guess I do like to stay entertained. Depending on how long the tour is, you’ll need to take at least two seasons with you. It’s my favorite show of all time and instantly puts me in a good mood when I put one on. I got to meet Jerry Seinfeld briefly one night in Nashville, it was pretty surreal.

Harmonicas: The first instrument I ever played. My dad taught me how to play blues harp. Then I started collecting different keys. I like to keep one with me in the car. You get tired of the radio sometimes, and it’s a great way to create some new melodies. Just make sure it doesn’t drive your bandmates crazy…

Photo credit: Cal Quinn

A Minute In Donegal With Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh

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Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of the group Altan takes us on a tour of Donegal.

I live in North West Donegal, Ireland, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. This is Errigal, the highest peak in the local mountain range of the Derryveagh Mountains.


Long ago my people lived in this type of thatched cottage without running water or electricity. They had to pay extra taxes to the English landlords if they had windows. So this preserved windowless cottage dates back to the nineteenth century. The social gatherings was in the kitchens of these homes where people met and sang and played music!

The light in County Donegal is unique especially in the late evening or early morning when the sun sends its rays through the clouds and turns the sky pink!

People collected the stones in the fields and made boundary walls to plant their crops! The walls were beautifully built by the farmers and leave beautiful structures on the landscape.

Sheep wander freely in the fields and are allowed to pasture on the farmers’ land! Most of the sheep in County Donegal are black-faced and are able to endure the hard winters we have!

This is the scene which I’m looking at now on The Wild Atlantic Way in North West Donegal, at this moment after spending time and eating dinner with family. Maybe we should go to the nearest pub to have a tune! Where’s my fiddle?

Photo courtesy of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh

Traveler: Your Guide to Cumberland, MD

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Cumberland, Maryland, is a mountain town tucked into the base of the Appalachian Mountains. It earned the nickname “the Gateway to the West” because of its location as a jumping off point to the western United States during the Gold Rush. It’s an artsy town with a healthy dose of a small town feel. One of our favorite artists takes over this mountainside town for four days every May for DelFest, started in honor of and in conjunction with the great Del McCoury. (If you are reading this, you know who he is, so I’ll spare you the storied history about his bluegrass career.)

Getting There

Nestled along the Potomac River, Cumberland is located in western Maryland. It’s a stone’s throw from both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and right around two hours from Baltimore, D.C. and Pittsburgh. Airport options include Reagan, Dulles, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Amtrak also provides intercity service to Cumberland via the Capitol Limited rail line.

Where to Stay

If you’re attending DelFest, most people camp on the ample festival camping grounds or stay at area hotels. Airbnb and VRBO are also fruitful in the Cumberland area. If Cumberland is booked, try Lavelle or Frostburg for a short fest commute. Paw Paw is another town nearby which we know nothing about, but love the name. Please let us know if you visit.

What to Do

Allegany County Courthouse Tower. Photo credit: Preservation Maryland.

A mountain town at heart means trails on trails on trails are at your disposal in Cumberland. The Great Allegheny Passage is a seemingly daunting 135-mile hiking and biking trail connecting Cumberland with Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Hiking bits and pieces of the trail is perfectly acceptable, if you’re not up for the whole journey.

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park boasts nearly 185 miles of biking and hiking trails with parks, camping, and historical structures along the way. Take the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad from Cumberland through the Allegheny Mountains for a fascinating adventure with mountain eye candy.

If you’re mainly a city dweller, Washington Street Historic District is a neighborhood in the southern part of the city which was once Fort Cumberland, serving as George Washington’s headquarters during the French and Indian Wars. It’s a playground for architecture and history nerds.

Yellow K Records

This rural town has a quaint arts and culture scene. The Cumberland Theatre is the town’s musical theatre go-to; Graphicus Atelier is a print-making studio and gallery dedicated to fine prints; and Dante’s hosts poetry slams. We’re also fans of Yellow K Records in downtown Frostburg for your new and used vinyl fix.

Eats & Drinks

Puccini’s Pizza

Puccini’s woodfired pizza is renowned in Cumberland, plus it’s in a converted Civil War hospital (which isn’t as creepy as it sounds).

El Jinte is an unsuspecting hole-in-the wall, serving affordable and authentic Mexican food. And Ristorante Ottaviani is another classic and fresh Italian spot offering wine tastings in town. For sushi, Thai, or Chinese, head to Jins Asian Cuisine and try their Shumai dumplings. For breakfast, head to Clatter Coffee in Frostburg for some of the best smoked trout around.

DelFest Tips

DelFest. Photo credit: Roli Breitenecker.

DelFest is held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, nestled along the Potomac River. The festival celebrates the rich legacy of the McCoury family’s music, while helping fans discover new favorites. This isn’t a stuffy bluegrass festival, but instead one where you’ll see Del on stage with Trey Anastasio one hour and Junior Sisk the next.

Punch Brothers. Photo credit: Roli Breitenecker.

In its 11th year, the lineup is more bluegrass than it has been in a while. On Saturday night, they are even holding Bluegrass Congress (the most productive Congress we can think of …) with Sam Bush, David Grisman, Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Bryan Sutton, Stuart Duncan, Jerry Douglas, and the Del McCoury Band holding court. DelFest is a jam band-influenced festival, so of course it has copious amounts of dancing, craft beer, and staying up into the wee hours of the night.

Lede image: The Great Allegheny Passage. Photo credit: Jbrown620 at English Wikipedia.

Traveler: Your Guide to Western North Carolina

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Western North Carolina is a vast landscape of blue mountains, peppered with small and charismatic towns. From Boone to Wilkesboro to Asheville, most of western North Carolina is a blue bubble in a red state. The Blue Ridge Mountain communities defy Appalachian stereotypes in some towns and feed them in others. Doc Watson started MerleFest — a holy ground for traditional bluegrass — on the campus of Wilkesboro Community College 31 years ago. Wilkesboro is a small town which intermingles with Boone, so we’re covering Boone, too. (This guide is not comprehensive of all of western North Carolina, but is intended to help those making the pilgrimage to the east coast for the grandfather of bluegrass festivals.)

Getting There

Getting to the Boone/Wilkesboro area is a beautiful trek, especially in the spring. If you’re flying, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is closest at one-and-a-half hours. Asheville’s regional airport (AVL) is two hours away and Raleigh’s airport (RDU) is two-and-a-half hours. Any drive you take will be scenic.

Where to Stay

Troutsong

There are a few hotels in Wilkesboro which get booked pretty quickly, so your best bet is to camp, bring your RV, or book accommodations in Boone. Wilkesboro is nearly bone dry for places to stay during MerleFest. Boone is a 40-minute drive from Wilkesboro (beware of cops along the way, as this area is notorious for doling out tickets). Airbnb and VRBO have options in both areas, plus Asheville is two hours away.

What to Do

Beacon Heights. Photo credit: Randy Johnson

Bluegrass abounds in the Appalachian high country. In fact, legend has it that Old Crow Medicine Show got discovered by Doc Watson while they were busking on King Street in downtown Boone. From festivals like MerleFest to buskers to impromptu jam sessions at local bars, bluegrass is abundant. Boone Saloon hosts everything from string to jazz to punk shows in the heart of downtown. Legends (an on-campus venue at Appalachian State in Boone) hosts musicians from Mipso to Dr. Dog and beyond, and musical greats like the Punch Brothers are known to have visited the Schaefer Performing Arts Center in Boone.

Besides it’s rich musical history, Boone and Wilkesboro’s vast, rolling landscapes make them a playground. The Blue Ridge Parkway intersects the highway between the two mountain towns, and getting lost on the parkway is encouraged. Along the BRP, we suggest hiking Rough Ridge, Beacon Heights, and the loop trail around Julian Price Lake — a beautiful mountain lake.

In Wilkes County, Stone Mountain State Park features a giant granite dome, trout fishing, and advanced level rock climbing. Some of the best mountain biking in the Southeast can be found along the shores of the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, outside of Wilkesboro. This lake is home to more than 35 miles of single track trails.

Eat & Drink

Our Daily Bread

Rich with veggie options, Boone’s food scene leans toward healthy and fresh. Stroll down King Street and you’ll hit the best sandwich shop in town, Our Daily Bread. Try their chipotle turkey press washed down by one of their many local brews.

Hidden behind King Street in a back parking lot is Espresso News, simply known as “e-news” to locals. You can’t go wrong with their organic drip coffee or a dirty chai latte, and it’s a quirky, quiet hang. The star of the show in Boone’s food scene, according to us, is Wild Craft Eatery (formerly Hob Knob Café). Their flavorful Buddha-style bowls, unexpected flavor combinations and plantains with mango sauce are crave-worthy, and made us go back twice the first trip we visited.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery. Photo credit: Watauga TDA

Coyote Kitchen is in the same creative vein as Wild Craft, specializing in southwestern bowls featuring ingredients like sweet potatoes, black beans, sautéed tempeh, plantains, and chipotle sauce. To find local hops, head to Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Boone’s first brewery, and a locally loved spot for beer, music and trivia.

MerleFest Tips

Americana Stage. Photo credit: MerleFest

MerleFest, nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of the grandfathers of bluegrass festivals. This isn’t your hip, old weed-smoking alternative grandfather. (We’re looking at you, Telluride.) It’s your traditional, ball cap-wearing, newspaper-reading, fisherman grandfather who likes the music audible, but not blaring loud.

MerleFest is a microcosm of the bluegrass community, getting back to the roots and getting rid of distractions from the banjo pickin’. It’s a straight-edge festival with all of the raw, seasoned, and unseasoned bluegrass talent of your dreams. Not only is the music center stage, but classic Appalachian traditions like clogging and songwriting are also featured at the fest.

Midnight Jam. Photo credit: MerleFest

Parking is free and shuttles are provided to the front gates of the festival. April is a tricky month in the mountains, so bring layers and rain gear. MerleFest starts early and ends late, so pace yourself. One of the highlights of the festival is the MerleFest Midnight Jam on Saturday night, which the BGS just so happens to host. Stay tuned for artists we’ll be hosting for this late-night jam you don’t want to miss.

Lede photo credit: DJANDYW.COM on Foter.com / CC BY-SA

A Minute In the Catskills with Simone Felice

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Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Simone Felice teaches us about the history of the Catskills and Hudson Valley.

Kaaterskill Falls: As fate would have it, I was born just a few ledges below the falls, on the same creek, which the early Dutch settlers named the Kaaterskill, or Cat’s River, after the wild mountain lions and lynx that roamed both forest and glen. In the 19th century Enlightenment Period, many prominent landscape painters and naturalist writers and poets — including Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole and his close friend William Cullen Bryant — made pilgrimages to these remote cataracts with easel and pen, and passed the hours in conversation, study, and communion with nature. Today, the falls, which are the highest in New York state, attract folks from far and wide in all seasons. It’s crazy on the weekends, so I climb up often weekdays at dawn. Maybe I’ll see you on the trail.

Olana: If you follow the Kaaterskill, as it snakes stubbornly eastward, you’ll come, by and by, to the mighty Hudson. Cross the river and take the old winding road up to, what is in my opinion, Fredrick Church’s most important masterpiece: Olana. With breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountain range and Hudson River, it’s no wonder that, upon discovering the location, Church wrote to a friend that he’d found “the center of the world.” You can tour his home and painting studio or simply wander the grounds, which he called “living landscapes.” I had many noonday picnics in the garden as a young kid with my mom, hoping for a glimpse of Peter Rabbit. And, after 40 years, it’s not lost a bit of that magic and wonder.

West Indies Grocery: The old city of Hudson was a sketchy place, when we were kids. It had been a prominent whaling town in the 19th century, earning a mention in Melville’s Moby Dick, but by the 1990s, many of the shops on its main (Warren) street were boarded up. Over the past 25 years, it’s gone through a near miracle of revitalization, block upon block of enviable period architecture has been spared the wrecking ball, and Hudsontown is again a center of arts and food culture. There are many posh hipster eateries I could mention, but my favorite is still this little grocery shop where the family matriarch, Paulette, cooks up homemade Jamaican “yard” food for her sons and neighbors, and if you’re lucky, there will a plate of curry goat or ox tails left for you. Cash only.

Circle W Market: “The W” is the beating heart of the Katterskill Clove. In the summer of 1908, Circle W opened its doors as a traditional country general store to serve the needs of a growing population of vacationers, quarrymen, landscape painters, and mill workers. Palenville, New York, (a small Catskill hamlet) had become famed for the many waterfalls in its vicinity (including Kaaterskill Falls and Fawn’s Leap), mountain views, artists’ retreats, and the setting for the mythical home of Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle.

For close to a century, upon entering the store, one could find anything from a gallon of paint to a gallon of milk, a pair of work pants, a kite, homemade lunches, a fishing pole, hardware, ice cream, and much more. After falling into disrepair for many years, my family bought and restored the original store and, a few years back, our mom retired and my wife Jessie and I bought it, and a couple buddies and myself turned the old horse barn in back into a music space complete with a balcony and chandelier. Come on out for one of our wild barn nights — there’s always a fire, and you never know what sort of freaks will show up.

Big Pink: We grew up riding our bicycles past the dirt driveway that leads to this modest, unassuming house off a backroad just outside of Woodstock. It wasn’t until years later that I began to understand the eternal significance of the place in the hallowed annals of American song … after Rick Danko — bassist in Bob Dylan’s touring band in the mid ’60s — rented the house and he, Dylan, and the rest of the gang (Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson) set up a make-shift studio in the basement and stayed up all hours recording, drinking, smoking, waxing philosophical, and digging deep into the essence and origins of the songs and sound that they grew up on and would continue to pioneer for years to come.

Gig Bag: Rod Picott

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Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Rod Picott details the items he always has nearby when out on the road.

Passport: I tour Europe every year, sometimes twice. Every country has different, shadowy rules regarding the validity of your passport. I got stuck in the Netherlands once because my passport wasn’t valid for 30 days after it expired. Huh? Exactly. “You can come in, but you can’t leave because this passport will only be valid for another 28 days when you leave.” “But it will be valid … for another 28 days.” “We require 30 days …”

Calton flight case: This case has been to 48 States, 20 European tours, lost, found, abused, kicked, dropped, insulted, hurled, and humiliated. In all that time, the Gibson J-45 inside has remained intact. I might have jinxed myself writing this, but so far …

Uniball Vision Elite and notebook: The notebook pages must tear from the top (for driving) and there is no better pen in the kingdom of pens than the Uniball Vision Elite Fine Point. The cover clicks on with a satisfying, solid “thunk” — you can do this repetitively to help you think — and the pen has a sort of scratchy quality that really tells your hand you are writing something. You’re almost carving into the paper, when you wield this pen, and you can’t feel the roller roll at all. It’s like writing with a knife.

Shure SM-58 Beta: Sometimes the sound person would prefer you use the mic that they have tuned the room for. My only response is, “I don’t share a mic with anyone I haven’t kissed.” The little bit of extra high end on this tank of a microphone helps my ragged baritone cut through a bit more than a regular SM-58.

A long book: The terrifying moment of finishing a book mid-tour will bring on a panic attack. Ideally, you will close the last page as the flight attendant brings your last tiny bottle of cabernet — just before the landing gear engages. If you get it wrong and finish some Nicholson Baker or Ron Rash and have to buy another book, it’s no tragedy. You get to go to a bookstore. But then you have to carry two books. I’m all about utility. If you see some friends on tour, sometimes you can trade. That works, too.

The merchandise box: The cardinal rule of touring — never ever run out of merchandise. This one was decorated on the inside by Amanda Shires, back when we were touring together. A fan gave me one of these feather things to replace one that fell off. I think it’s a make-up box from the 1940s or 1950s. I’ve had it so long, the handle is bare metal. The leather peeled off slowly over all the years of touring — like rings on a tree but in reverse. I figure, on the very last tour, when I’m 80, the handle will fall off as I sell the last CD. Then I’ll keel over in a corner booth, and they can bury my ashes in it. Or someone can keep it. It will be the ultimate piece of merchandise. “I have all the CDs.” “Oh yeah? I have the guy in a box. It was only 15 bucks.”

A Minute In Calgary with Lindi Ortega

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Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Lindi Ortega takes us on a tour of Calgary, Alberta.

Plaza: This is a cool, old-school vibe theatre in the hip Kensington area of Calgary. You can watch movies here that have been in the theatres for a bit at a fraction of the cost. Nothing like getting a freshly buttered bag of popcorn and going there on date night. This where I saw the Orient Express with my husband.

Confederation Park: I walk my dog here every day. There is lots of greenery and lots of people out walking their dogs, tons of trees and winding paths. In the winter, there is an outdoor ice rink and tons of little snow-covered hills for tobogganing. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some wild rabbits or hares hopping around in the snow. Fun fact: The hares turn white in the winter — I often feel like Alice In Wonderland when I see them.

Kensington Pub: I love this old pub nestled in the heart of Kensington. It’s got a really cute balcony where only two tables can dine outside and, if you’re lucky to get on that balcony for brunch on a sunny day, then it’s especially fantastic. They have really great Bangers and Mash and a lot of British-style dishes on the menus. It’s a wonderful old historical building and the atmosphere is awesome on any given day or night.

Kensington: This is another wonderful area for vintage shopping and small business artisan shops. This is where that great old Plaza theatre is, and I love going there and ordering popcorn and soaking in the vibe. There are also some cool old pubs and wonderful places to eat like Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey.

The Palomino Smokehouse: Not only is the food amazing, but the music is stellar. This was one of the first venues I had the pleasure of playing in Calgary. Always a rollicking, sweaty good time at this place, and they always have a wonderful array of musicians.

Klein/Harris: If you’re looking for the best fine dining meal ever and the most impeccable service, this is the place to go. Every single thing I’ve ordered at this place has made my taste buds do a happy dance, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible selection of cocktails. The atmosphere is cozy and it’s well worth the price paid for an evening of wining and dining at this wonderful restaurant.

Traveler: Your Guide to San Antonio

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San Antonio is a multicultural city with a rich history and vibrant art culture. A museum goer’s dream, the second largest city in Texas is packed with evolving and impressive museums and galleries galore. San Antonio’s music scene attracts outlaws, the art scene attracts Picassos, and the culinary scene attracts Mexican food perfectionists. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go to the city which holds a world record in tamale making?

Getting There

River Walk at Dusk. Photo credit: Tim Thompson

Located in south central Texas, San Antonio is nearly nestled against the Mexican border. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is located northeast of San Antonio proper, offering plenty of nonstop flights in and out daily. If you want to tack onto a trip to Austin or Houston, San Antonio is a one- or three-hour drive, respectively.

Where to Stay

Inn on the River Walk

The Inn on the River Walk is a classic bed & breakfast, sprawling throughout three 1900s homes along the famous River Walk, while Hotel Havana is a boutique hotel overlooking the River Walk with a noteworthy bar called Ocho. There are plenty of affordable Airbnb options, too. Stick to looking in the downtown and River Walk areas, East San Antonio, Alamo Heights, and the King Williams Historic District for staying in lively areas.

The Hotel Emma

The Hotel Emma is a destination in and of itself because of its unique trappings and in-house upscale restaurants. It’s worth a meal just to peep the decor inside.

What to Do

McNay museum. 

San Antonio is museum central. Everything from Picassos to O’Keeffes reside in the McNay, a world-class modern art museum with more than 20,000 works. The Witte Museum is an interactive science-meets-nature-meets-culture experience, and the brand new DoSeum Children’s Museum features STEM-centric, hands-on exhibits for kids like Spy Academy and Sensations Studio.

Botanical Garden. Photo credit: visitsanantonio.com

Freshly renovated, the San Antonio Botanical Garden includes a family garden, Texas Native Trail, bird watching opportunities, and a tropics-heavy conservatory.

The Alamo. Photo credit: visitsanantonio.com

Though San Antonio is a history nerd’s playground, the Alamo is a given stop on any traveler’s itinerary. Originally established as a one of the early Spanish missions in Texas, the fortress has had many uses and is now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s free and spans four acres, so it’ll take a few hours to cover the grounds. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of the city’s five Spanish missions — outposts that date back to the 17th century.

Under construction and opening in 2019 is Ruby City, a contemporary art center designed by Sir David Adjaye — the same architect who designed the Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

If you like your learning with a side of live music, check out Jazz, TX at Pearl, Paper Tiger, and Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion fest every March.

Eats & Drinks

Hotel Havana

With more than 1,000 Mexican restaurants, authentic Texas BBQ, and international cuisine from every corner of the world, San Antonio’s culinary scene is robust. The Pearl District and Southtown are restaurant-rich parts of town where you can point to pretty much any spot on the map and strike gold. Grab a drink at Ocho (in Hotel Havana), and you’ll be situated in a glass conservatory overlooking the River Walk sipping locally inspired cocktails.

The Esquire Tavern

The Esquire Tavern is a James Beard-nominated bar with the longest wooden bar top in Texas. Its vibe is informed by the year it opened — 1933. Don’t miss their smoky, chimichurri-doused chalupitas.

Breakfast options include Bakery Lorraine, which moved from the San Francisco area to the Pearl in San Antonio and offers renowned tarts and macaroons. Chef Johnny Hernandez is a local celeb and his Frutería-Botanero will prove why. This Southtown gem serves fresh-pressed juices and smoothies by day and transforms into a Mexican-style small plate bar by night. If you’re feeling a good ole’ American meal of BBQ & beer, hit up the Granary.

Luck Reunion Tips

Valerie June at Luck Reunion. Photo credit: Nathan Poppe

An hour-and-a-half north of San Antonio, musical outlaws gather every March among the fading movie set facades for a musical reunion. Luck Reunion was originally Willie Nelson’s brainchild, beginning on his ranch in Luck, Texas.

Sure, the Reunion’s lineup is stacked with big names, but the fest is equally as dedicated to encouraging music fans to experience rising acts who are doing it all on their own terms. The festival organizers program the early slots to be filled with the artists they believe will be the next crop of rogue music legends.

The Nelson family’s cardinal rule is “Don’t be an asshole,” and that rings true during the festival. Don’t take the historic property, the people you’re surrounded by, or the music for granted while you’re (literally) in Luck. And, no, that is not a skunk you smell.

Traveler: Your Guide to Bellevue, WA

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Bellevue, Washington, is a quick commute outside of Seattle and a gateway to the beauty of the Puget Sound region. With a compact and walkable downtown, Bellevue is a culture-filled day trip for when you have an extra day in the Seattle area or want to soak up a rich bluegrass fest. The 25-year-old Wintergrass Music Festival is a compelling reason to plan a trip to Bellevue every February, boasting OG bluegrassers like Del McCoury, the Seldom Scene, and Peter Rowan.

Getting There

Just nine miles south of Seattle, Bellevue offers a quick getaway from big city life. Take a half-hour bus ride or drive from Seattle to reach Bellevue. The Seattle-Tacoma airport is a 16-mile drive from Bellevue, making Bellevue and Seattle a convenient two-for-one trip. Once in Bellevue, you won’t need a car much because the city is quite walkable, unless you want to venture to nearby attractions.

Where to Stay

Wintergrass festival-goers will want to stay at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, since it’s centrally located downtown and close to the music. Silver Cloud Inn Bellevue is also walking distance to the festival and a more budget-friendly basecamp, offering discounts to Wintergrass attendees. For a more boutique hotel experience, the Europe-inspired AC Hotel’s design marries modern with classic, serving a hearty European-style breakfast each morning.

What to Do

Bellevue Arts Museum. Photo credit: Scott Harder.

The Bellevue Arts Museum is nationally renowned for their art, craft, and design. The museum started from an art fair in the 1940s and has become a staple in the city. During Wintergrass 2018, the museum welcomes a Pakistan-born artist named Humaira Abid, well-known for her symbolically rich wood sculptures and mini paintings.

Woodinville Wine Country. Photo credit: Novelty Hill Januik Winer.

Woodinville Wine Country’s climate is ripe for grapes, boasting more than 115 wineries and tasting rooms. It’s a quick drive from Bellevue into the scenic valley of Woodinville, and it’s not just for wine lovers: Their microbreweries, distilleries, cideries, and robust farm-to-table scene are all impressive.


Bellevue Skyline. Photo credit: Visit Bellevue Washington by Merrill Images.

Bellevue Downtown Park is a 21-acre green space in the heart of downtown along with Inspiration Playground. Pit stops at Third Culture Coffee, a globally influenced coffee and tea shop, are encouraged. Try their Mexican or Vietnamese Coffee.

The 36-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden is stunning, featuring a rhododendron glen, Japanese Yao garden, and a stone garden, plus admission is free.

We recommend the punny Puget Sounds record shop and Silver Platters for your vinyl fix. Bake’s Place is Bellevue’s answer to “dinner and a show,” and the Showbox hosts gigs by indie rockers to singer/songwriters to country artists and more.

Eats and Drinks

The Lakehouse Bellevue

Bellevue is quickly becoming a foodie hotspot, drawing award-winning talent to the scene, like James Beard Award winner Chef Jason Wilson’s the Lakehouse. Japonessa fuses Japanese and Latin American flavors and is known for their extensive happy hour and traditional sushi. Locals love Lot No. 3 where the cocktail and spirits program has been recognized as one of the strongest in the Puget Sound. For breakfast goods, head to Belle Pastry on Main Street for exceptional French croissants.

Wintergrass Tips

Wintergrass originated in Tacoma and has made its home Bellevue for nearly 10 years. Home to many IBMA- and Grammy Award-winning artists, the festival takes place in the Hyatt Hotel every February and offers 70+ performances throughout the weekend. Always have your instrument on you for the various, spontaneous jam session which break out at any given moment. Don’t overlook the educational component at this fest, because who knows when you’ll be able to learn to clog at a music festival.

Ballrooms and bars in the Hyatt are turned into venues, making seating at popular shows competitive. Don’t feel pressured to buy food and drinks at bars while watching shows, which has been a point of contention in the past. The festival is laid out nicely indoors — so you barely have to leave — and the surrounding restaurants are easily walkable.

Lede: Lede Photo courtesy of Visit Bellevue Washington, by Merrill Images

A Minute In East Kent with Will Varley

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Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Will Varley takes us through his hometown of East Kent along the southeastern coast of England.

Kingsdown Beach: On the south coast of England, if you follow the white cliffs six or seven miles east from Dover, eventually they come down at Kingsdown Beach — and that’s where I live. It’s usually pretty windswept out there, except for a few days in the summer and, apart from the occasional fisherman, you can often have the whole stretch to yourself. There’s something particular about the light in this part of the world, and for me, there’s nothing better than sitting outside on a blustery day and watching a storm blow in from France over a little glass of Guinness.

Smugglers Records: Forty minutes walk along the beach is the town of Deal. Despite Charles Dickens once describing it as having “as dull an appearance as any place I ever saw,” I think it’s a handsome place, littered with Georgian cottages and perched right on the coast of the English Channel. Just off the high street, you’ll find Smugglers Records — a fantastic local record store that also has a great selection of tipples and snacks. A mighty fine place to browse some vinyl while sampling a light ale.

The Black Douglas Coffee House: After picking up a 12-inch or two at the record store, head around the corner to the Black Douglas. It’s a beautiful and fiercely independent café, the perfect place to get lost in a book or eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation with a mug of coffee at your side. There’s a relaxed, lazy vibe that is contagious enough to mean it might well be getting dark by the time you stumble out the door.

The Shell Grotto: Drive about half-an-hour north along the coast and you’ll get to Margate, home of the Shell Grotto. Supposedly discovered by local children in 1835, the Shell Grotto is a 70-foot long underground passage, the walls of which are adorned with over 4.6 million shells. Nobody knows who built it or why, and some theories claim it to be thousands of years old. It’s an awe-inspiring place to be and, as one travel writer put it in 2007, “Within six months of visiting, unless your soul is utterly dead, you will have a dream set here …”

Wild Goose: Head in land from Margate and you will come across the ancient city of Canterbury. For most, it’s a city that’s significant for its picturesque medieval streets and its rich religious history; but for me, Canterbury is the city that is home to my favourite bar. The Wild Goose serves the best cocktails in the world, bespoke original recipes based around the English garden. They also have an ever-changing menu of perfect small plates and English tapas. The kitchen is just behind the bar, so you can watch the chefs prepare your food, as you chat away to the other patrons and sip your Gosling Martini.

The Lighthouse: After a short drive back to Deal, aim to arrive at the Lighthouse around 9 pm, just as the evening’s band is taking to the stage. When I’m in town, you can find me here most nights watching the music or sat at the bar drinking my fourth or fifth nightcap. They have touring and local acts playing four of five times a week and a whole host of other cool things going on, too. It’s a seriously good pub, run by people who love live music and frequented by the best rabble of locals you could hope to meet. If you’re ever in the area, drop by and sink a half, or two …