Winterfest 2009

The Pocono Bluegrass and Folk Society* held their 7th Annual Bluegrass Festival entitled, “WinterFest 2009” throughout the town of Stroudsburg, PA. This three day celebration began Friday January 30th and concluded on Sunday February 1st. The festival provided foot stomping entertainment in several venues which included Mollies, The Main Street Lounge, and The Sarah Street Grill on Friday night with some concluding events on Sunday held at The Elks Lodge with a Gospel Show and a Shindig.

However, the main events were held throughout the entire day (11am to 12 am) on Saturday January 31st at The Sherman Theatre*. Numerous musicians were greeted by a multitude of Bluegrass fans who share stories and their love of the musical genre with one another. In addition to the entertainment on stage, there were impromptu jam sessions and opportunities to support the many vendors who offered their wares throughout the theatre’s lobby.

The good natured mood created by the festival goers and supporters was only enhanced by the great bands who performed on stage throughout the day. They included Cabinet www.myspace.com/cabinetwax, Heavy Traffic www.myspace.com/heavytrafficbluegrass, Texas Rose www.texasrosemusic.blogspot.com, Aimless Pursuit www.aimlesspursuit.com, Remington Ryde www.myspace.com/remingtonrydeband, and Dan Paisley and The Southern Grass www.myspace.com/thesoutherngrass. Their performances moved the audience to laughter, joy, tears, and all other areas discovered while on a journey to the heart.

I didn’t get an opportunity to see every performer who appeared during Winterfest 2009, but those I have experienced will linger in my memory for quite some time. And those who know how bad my memory is, knows this is saying a lot. It was also good to meet many of Our Good Friends in The Forwardian Arts Society along with some new ones. But, they are too many to mention and I don’t want to risk forgetting some while naming others. But, I would love it if you would share your reflections and memories of the festival. I’m sure many would love to learn about and from them.

The next events taking place at The Sherman Theatre will include The Gallagher full Sledge-O-Matic Show on Friday February 6th at 8pm, The Natural Breakdown Concert with special guests Big Boss Sausage and The Big Dirty on Saturday February 7th at 8pm, and another night of horrors in The Sherman Theatre* Severed Sinema Series on Friday February 20th beginning at 7pm a Zombie Fest double feature presenting the films “Let Sleeping Corpses Lie” and the original “Night of the Living Dead.”

Please Explore The Sherman Theatre* Website for more information. To learn more about The Pocono Bluegrass and Folk Society* and what they have to offer music lovers, please Explore their Website at www.poconobluegrass.org. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Winterfest 2009 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.