There’s bluegrass in Transcona

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/03/2017 (2622 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Every second and fourth Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m. you will find a group of local musicians gathering for a bluegrass jam in the Royal Canadian Legion at 117 Regent Ave. W.
 
Bob Whittaker, who’d been jamming out of Beausejour, started this group after being asked if it was possible to meet closer to Winnipeg.

Some members of the group gather every Friday at 10 a.m. at the Royal George Hotel to play their favorite bluegrass, country, and other tunes, while others who are more focused on bluegrass meet at 9 a.m. at the Petro Canada near Anola, Man.

I was in the audience on March 3, watching and listening to the Royal George group.  The jams are circle-style, with musicians taking turns choosing songs. Some songs everybody knew well, such as the bluegrass classic, Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms. Others were new. I was impressed how these musicians of varying skill levels had picked up the melody and were able to play along by the end of a new tune. 

Some participants are members of the Manitoba Old Tyme and Bluegrass Society (MOBS), which has been around since 1991. Ed Byard, editor of their newsletter, The Dill Pickle Rag, told me the group’s mandate is to promote bluegrass music in Manitoba. The newsletter features local musicians and venues. 

MOBS also hosts a bluegrass jam each Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at St. John’s College on the University of Manitoba campus. The first hour is a “slow jam” for the benefit of those less adept with their instruments. 

MOBS also host two weekends at Shady Oaks Campground featuring bluegrass music jamming around the campfire. The 2017 Spring Bluegrass Campout is June 16 to 18, and the Fall Bluegrass Campout is Sept. 1 to 4. There is no charge other than camping fees.

The Transcona Legion group will soon host two acts that I recommend you catch.

On April 28 at 9 p.m. (after the jamming session) the bluegrass trio Hearts On Fire will be featured. I’ve seen them and they are wonderful, with Patrick Boggs on bass and talented singers Brian and Dawn Ridd. Brian also plays the mandolin.

The second act, Jess Reimer and Jeremy Hamm, will be playing May 12. I saw them at the Frozen Prairie Bluegrass concert in January. Jess has an amazing voice and Jeremy is fantastic on the mandolin. Whittaker’s mandolin, a beautiful instrument, was handcrafted by Hamm. 

If you play an instrument that would fit in with the bluegrass and acoustic genres, come on out and join in with these fine musicians. Learn about bluegrass music, or just drop in to listen to the jams or one of the featured bands. All are welcome.

Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.