Monday, March 20 marks the first day of spring (hard to believe on the heels of a Nor’easter, we know). What better way to celebrate than with the return of OTTO Bluegrass Night!
Monday Night Bluegrass has been a beloved Portland staple since 2013, when acclaimed mandolin player Joe K Walsh started assembling a rotating roster of bluegrass greats at our 576 Congress Street location, laying down some of the best performances (of any genre) you will find anywhere in Maine.
Photo by Gabe Souza/PPH
We’re pleased to announce that, after a short winter hiatus Bluegrass Night is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever.
As if a free evening of world-class bluegrass wasn’t enough, Lone Pine Brewing will be in the house, with giveaways and $4 drafts for the duration of the show — 8pm to close.
For the uninitiated, Joe Walsh was the first student at Berklee College of Music to graduate with a degree in performance specializing in mandolin. He currently teaches at Berklee, where he serves as Managing Director of the American Roots Music Program.
The world-renowned fiddle legend Darol Anger called Walsh “one of my favorite musicians on earth.”
Joe has played in several renowned bands, including Joy Kills Sorrow, the New England Bluegrass Band, Northern Lights, and the Grammy nominated Gibson Brothers.
$4 Lone Pine brews each and every Monday night!
Writing in the Portland Press Herald, Bob Keyes wrote, “Walsh is the most in-demand mandolin player in Maine, and one of the most sought-after in America. He could easily live in Nashville, Austin or any other acoustic music hotbed, but chooses Portland because he loves the city and is well-treated here.”
And he loves it so much, each Monday night he assembles a handful of the best roots musicians in Maine, or in America, for a fireworks-display of fretwork, lonesome harmonies, and good times.
Some of Bluegrass Night’s past guests have included members of Crooked Still, Della Mae, the Josh Ritter Band, and the Ray LaMontagne band. You never know who might pop up, but you can always expect to be blown away.
And to boot, the shows are 100% free.
So, grab your family and friends, pop over for a few pies, some Lone Pine, and take in some of the very best bluegrass you’re likely to hear anywhere.