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Row 5:060:00/5:06
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Time to Roam 4:220:00/4:22
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Fukushima Surf 3:410:00/3:41
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0:00/2:18
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Damn Old Town 2:400:00/2:40
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Fascists 3:100:00/3:10
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Homeless Romantic 2:360:00/2:36
Black & Bluegrass Productions was founded in 2013 as a means to promote shows for bands who play a fusion of genres like Folk, Bluegrass and Punk Rock. The goal in mind was to create a scene with artists from in and around Ottawa that invoked this brand of off the beaten path, nomadic street music. The result has been a decade of bringing some of the most amazing independent performers from across Canada together to celebrate both what makes them ideal to share a stage with one another and the unique way in which they meld and bend genres.
“ I wanted something that didn't really exist so I said screw it, I'll make my own festival”
DAN RAE (Founder/Director, Black & Bluegrass Productions. Musician, Bastards and the Buzzards)
In 2015, the first Black & Bluegrass Fest took place at The Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa's Byward market. Hastily thrown together roughly two months ahead of time with 2 taxidermy art exhibits and 14 performances from all around Ontario it, surprisingly, went off without a hitch. That day a new community of performers came about that serves to bring together different versions of counter cultures born out of the Boonies and Slums of the cities and country sides across Canada to sing the songs of Street Punks, Blue Collars, Moonshiners, Poets and Bootleggers.
"I remember rolling up on the first one and not really sure what to expect and finding all these different types of musicians from all over. Just having out and trading songs on the front stoop of the venue. I've felt at home ever since."
MYKE PULITO (Hairy Holler. VS The Borg. Hollerin' Myke and the Hoarse Skulls)
Since then the festival has been sponsored by many local businesses such as, Broadhead Brewing, The Koven and The Grand Pizzeria and taken place in many venues across Ottawa including, Elmdale Tavern, LIVE! on Elgin, Mavericks and FatBoys. In 2022 Black & Bluegrass Fest found a new home at Rideau Pines Farm in North Gower, Ontario.
“One of the most magical nights of my life… The artists, the people… Best night ever… ”
MATT VANDENBERG (Owner, Rideau Pines Farm)
Although the festival has left behind the downtown core of Ottawa and has now moved to the always intended but only recently achieved, outdoor setting, Black & Bluegrass Productions continues to occasionally organize smaller shows within the city in addition to utilizing the contacts, and knowledge of the industry accumulated by Founder/Director Dan Rae, and his band Bastards and the Buzzards, to help Canadian artists tour and network throughout the country.
"Playing and being a part of Black & Bluegrass Fest every year to me is akin to coming home in a world where you can never go home; Especially now that it takes place at the beautiful Rideau Pines Farm, surrounded by good food, people, and our collective love of independent art and music."
ZACK POWER (Musician, Zack Power & The Dirty Shwa)