Author Archives: Justin Heath

Jam Session at Bourbon and Bluegrass

We will be kicking off the 2026 Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival with a Bluegrass Jam on May 2nd from 12-1:00 Pm so bring an instrument and join us! All instruments and skill levels are welcome. The festival is Saturday and Sunday May 2nd and 3rd from 1-5 pm at Lincoln’s Cottage in NW Washington DC.Continue reading “Jam Session at Bourbon and Bluegrass”

Takoma Park Bluegrass Block Party!

On May 15th, 2026, from 5-7 pm, Takoma Park will host its first Bluegrass Blockparty, featuring performances by Bebe Blumenthal, Cory Chubb, and a bluegrass ensemble. Local food options will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring instruments for jamming. Sponsored by Mainstreet Takoma, School of Musical Traditions and the DC Bluegrass Union.

CAGED Mandolin

There has been a lot written about the CAGED system for understanding the guitar, but I recently learned that you can apply the same thinking to the mandolin. I have to thank Ryan Rogers of the Dirtygrass Players for pointing this out to me. The basic gist of the CAGED system is that you canContinue reading “CAGED Mandolin”