Bluegrass Jamming This Weekend At Ho‘omaluhia

Bluegrass in the Koolaus returns this weekend to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, where banjos and the blues will echo across the 400-acre park for three days.

The giant jam session and campout runs from 9 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Sunday, welcoming professional musicians, amateurs and fans for a free whirlwind of workshops and playing time. Day visitors and overnight campers are invited, but it’s BYOB (bring your own banjo).

“It’s fun, outdoors-y and musical,” said Paul Sato, member of the Saloon Pilots, a Windward band that will lead a performance workshop at 12:30 p.m.

Saturday at the event. Morning and afternoon workshops are planned Saturday and Sunday, ranging from vocal harmony and autoharp to beginning fiddle and banjo. Jam sessions are spread throughout the schedule.

The overall aim is to make music, learn songs and improve skills by jamming as much as possible with others. Lunch and potluck dinner are provided, but donations (and side dishes) are welcome to cover costs.

For details, go to bluegrasshawaii.com; campers should email mikespengel@bluegrasshawaii.com to sign up. The park office phone is 233-7323.