What's Going on at WMF25 in Florence Oregon 01/23-01/25/2025

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The last weekend in January will again be a hot one at the Florence Events Center.

Over two days, seven outstanding groups will bring smokin’ hot bluegrass, heartwarming new and traditional folk, and foot-stompin’ Americana as the Florence Winter Music Festival returns January 24 and 25.

The festival starts on the 23rd with the open mic “Take the Stage!” hootenanny. There will also be open jam sessions, performance and songwriting workshops, and great food and drink throughout the event. “By popular demand, we added more two-day passes for 2025,” said Co-producer  Rachel Pearson.  "As of November 1st those passes are almost sold out. However, single show tickets are still available." 

“Our line-up of world-class performers includes Friday night’s headliners, The Henhouse Prowlers, with Kristen Grainger & True North opening. Saturday afternoon will be fantastic with three bands:  Whiskey Deaf Duet; Thunder & Rain, and Tony Furtado with Luke Price. Saturday night will open with returning favorite Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band and Della Mae closing out the festival."

Show tickets are available at the Florence Events Center's box office, 715 Quince Street, and its website, EventCenter.org.

A REAL DOWN HOME HOOTENANNY!

A now-annual favorite, the community open mic “Take the Stage!” all-comers music confab will be unleashed from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.  This  good ol’ fashioned gathering is -- free and open to all ages and abilities. Come sign up, sing and play for 10 minutes on stage, collaborate, and make new friends.  Spectators can expect to have fun cheering on  friends and neighbors on the Florence Events Center flat floor stage.

Take the Stage! is staged in the friendly confines of Rooms 1&2 of the FEC Flat Floor area.  Casual seating is provided, and performers will be provided with mics.  No drumsets or electric instuments. 

Henhouse Prowlers

This group is in its second decade, honing the unique, high-energy vibe that makes them an unforgettable stage presence — be it in Chicago, Siberia, or the Middle East. These musicians are official Cultural Ambassadors for the

US State Department, and they show the world what American bluegrass is all about.

https://www.henhouseprowlers.com/

KRISTEN GRAINGER & TRUE NORTH is a bluegrass-leaning Americana powerhouse of terrific songwriting, lush vocals and crazy-good instrumentalists.   Kristen has collected accolades and awards at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wildflower Arts & Music Festival, Merlefest, Kerrville and, together with Dan Wetzel, at Wintergrass . She also won Common Ground‘s 2022 Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest, and 2019 Roots Northwest songwriting competition.  On stage, the band deftly delivers the stories, mind-blowing harmonies and mad instrumentals audiences love. As Folk World (UK) put it, “What comes over loud and clear is that one is in the presence of some seriously talented musicians. 

 About Kristen Grainger & True North – Kristen Grainger and True North (truenorthband.com) 

Whiskey Deaf Duet

The Whiskey Deaf Duet performs bluegrass, old-time and early country, mostly drawn from early pioneers in the music, and brings to the stage many years of professional experience and skill. Their shows are always spontaneous, entertaining, and joyous, and feature exciting instrumental work and a unique repertoire of interesting songs and tunes.

 Whiskey Deaf Bluegrass Band | Portland OR 

Thunder & Rain

Thunder and Rain is a newgrass band based in Nashville. They weave together bluegrass instrumentation with award winning songwriting inspired by pop, country, classic rock and old time. Three part harmony and sing-along choruses support image-rich lyricism and thunderous banjo / fiddle drive. In their decade-long career, the band has shared the stage with Billy Strings, Krueger Brothers, Peter Rowan, and The Brothers Comatose. “Run With You,” a single released in 2020, was selected for the IBMA Songwriter Showcase 2023.

 Thunder and Rain - About (thunderandrainmusic.com) 

Tony Furtado with Luke Price

Tony is an evocative and soulful singer, a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtuoso on multiple instruments, adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar and baritone ukulele.  He mixes and matches sounds and styles with the flair of a master artist (he’s also an accomplished sculptor, but that’s another story). All of the music of America is in Tony’s music. Relix online magazine said it best when writing of Tony: “True talent doesn’t need categories."

Home Page — Tony Furtado 

Della Mae

This GRAMMY© nominated, all-women string band is made up of founder and fiddle player Kimber Ludiker, lead vocalist/guitarist Celia Woodsmith, guitarist Avril Smith, and bassist Vickie Vaughn.  

Hailing from across North America and reared in diverse musical styles, they are one of the most charismatic and engaging roots bands touring today.  They have traveled to over 30 countries spreading peace and understanding through music.  

Their mission as a band is to showcase top female musicians, and to improve opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, mentorship, programming, and performance. https://www.dellamae.com/media 

Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band

Coming off an amazing 2024 WMF performance, Brothers Miles and Teo Quale with bassist Andrew Osborn and 2023 National Flat Pick Guitar Champion  Ian Ly have continued to shake up stages in the USA, Japan, and Europe -- with their vibrant mix of Bluegrass, Dawg, Jazz and original acoustic sounds.  Since their first appearance at our Festival in early January, they've been in demand at festivals world wide,  played at the Grand Ole Opry last May. 

About — Crying Uncle (cryingunclebg.com) 

Linda Leavitt of Cascade Bluegrass and Tom Nechville, proprietor of Nechville Banjos, will anchor the action in Gallery Five. There you’ll find jams, pickin’ sessions, playing advice, and tall tales of festivals past including sparkling bluegrass reminiscences and spirited conversations! They’ll also be on hand for Take the Stage to keep the musical energy flowing.

https://cascadebluegrass.com/

https://www.nechville.com/ 

Throughout the Winter Music Festival you can expect plenty of informal jams, performer interactions, super merchandise sales, excellent food and drink, and great vibes. For more information on the Florence Winter

Music Festival visit WinterMusicFestival.org.

Tickets available on-line at https://www.eventcenter.org/ 

under the tab EVENT TICKETS.