The sun promises to shine down on Sloatsburg, NY, this coming Sunday, even as super storm Irma blows hard toward Florida, wicked winds sounding like a woeful train whistle.
Take a break and get away to relax and recharge. The season is just starting and there’s sure to be weather coming this way soon enough.
The Friends of Harmony Hall has put together a stellar lineup for this Sunday’s Highlands Bluegrass Festival. The festival is co-sponsored by Rockland County Tourism and the Town of Ramapo, which saved Harmony Hall from development with a timely 2006 purchase; subsequently, the Friends of Harmony Hall gained the important local property a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
This year banjo extraordiare Tony Trischka and band Territory headline the Bluegrass Festival which draws fans from across the Hudson Valley and north New Jersey. Trischka has surrounded himself with two musical hot hands in Alex Hargreaves and Dominick Leslie.
Cross-genre fiddler Hargreaves has been called one of America’s finest multi-musical violinists and is already a master of American root music and improvisation, playing everything from bluegrass to jazz. On the scene only 10 yeas, Hargreaves has played on a who’s who of stages across the country and with a list of legendary names.
Dominick Leslie has earned high regard as a folk and bluegrass mandolin player.
Banjo luminary Tony Trischka can himself mesmerize an audience. So the combination of Trishka, Hargreaves and Leslie jamming onstage should be a savory bluegrass treat you might want to experience. All three players can improvise and get that foot-stomping good time spirit rising.
Regional favorite Mama Tried leads off Sunday’s festival, with Hubby Jenkins set close things out. Jenkins was born in Brooklyn and came to fame busking the streets and subways of New York City before joining Grammy award winning Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Look for Sunday to be sunny and in the low 70s, a perfect day to spend in Sloatsburg.
Michael Bruno and the folks at Tuxedo Hudson Company will open the doors to the lushly landscaped campus of buildings and businesses both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The easy-to-access stores are located in the heart of Sloatsburg along Route 17 and are directly across from the Harmony Hall Great Lawn. The weekend preview will feature Blue Barn Farm Market and new Valley Rock Inn, a brand new bike shop in a restored house with all sorts of nice amenities such as juice bar, plus the colorful Tuxedo Hudson foodie truck, on hand to satisfy your appetite.
Visit the Seven Lakes Station taproom for a tasty craft beer … or kick back and chill a moment Sunday, September 10, at the Seven Lakes outdoor beer garden before heading over to the the Highlands Bluegrass Festival across Route 17 on the Harmony Hall Great Lawn.
Quench your thirst next door and celebrate with the Seven Lakes Station craft beer and beer market which opened its doors just last year in September. Proprietors Martjin Mollet and Jaime Lovelace recently installed a chill outdoor beer garden and serve tasty brews you can use.
Chararcters Bar and Restaurant and Rhodes North Tavern anchor their own ends of Route 17 in the village, and are go-to places to meet friends at the bar or sit down for a family feast of food.
So, don’t let the weather get you down this weekend. Stretch your legs on the Harmony Hall Great Lawn and listen some of the finest bluegrass and Americana music players — for free.
