Culture Dose: Wintergrass Music Festival

Follow the sound of Banjos in Bellevue for a toe-tapping good time.

A bluegrass bonanza takes over Bellevue for the fourth year at the Wintergrass Music Festival, a showcase of 29 bands and more than 150 musicians. This upcoming weekend’s gathering–from Thursday, February 28 through Sunday, March 3–marks the 20th anniversary of one of the country’s biggest bluegrass festivals (which originated in Tacoma).

Over the years, Wintergrass has welcomed Grammy and IBMA award-winning artists as well as emerging talents from across the country and around the globe. Attendees enjoy more than 70 hours of musical performances and also educational workshops like PintGrass, a new music program for children four to seven years old. (All ages are invited to jam at the 75 free family-friendly workshops offered during the fest.)

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Afraid of reaching bluegrass overload? Never fear, the festival also showcases other styles of acoustic music from gypsy jazz and Celtic music to old-timey and Brazilian choro. A five-piece, faux-family cover band even plays tunes ranging from Cee Lo Green and Beyonce to bluegrass legend the David Grisman Sextet. Other performers include The Seldom Scene, Peter Rowan and the Travelin’ McCourys, Della Mae, Spinney Brothers, Mamajowali, Matuto and North Country Bluegrass, to name a few.

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The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way Northeast. Buy tickets and learn more about performers here.