Calliope Center Stage Concerts presents Mon River Ramblers

Friday, June 25
Mon River Ramblers

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (6300 Fifth Avenue, Shadyside)
7:30pm, $12 ($10 Calliope & PCA members)
This event is held in conjunction with the PCA’s opening of its new exhibit Interplay.*

The Mon River Ramblers first began playing their unique blend of bluegrass throughout the streets of Pittsburgh in 2006. From their humble beginnings of pickin’ on street corners and avenues around the city, the Ramblers began to get noticed and started pickin’ in venues around the Pittsburgh area. Since that time, the band has competed in two of the most prestigious festivals in bluegrass—The Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Delfest.

The Ramblers have polished their sound with a mix of different genres of music to create their own take on bluegrass music. Their mix of traditional bluegrass, rag-time, jazz, blues, folk, punk, and rock infused with tight pickin’ keeps their brand of fiery bluegrass music innovative and fresh. The band's music is a mixture of original compositions, soaring harmonies, and an innovative approach to improvisation.

The Ramblers are city boys trying to bring fast-pickin’, high energy bluegrass music back to Pittsburgh. In the short time the Ramblers have played together they have shared the stage with the Greencards, the Infamous Stringdusters, the Hot Seats, bluegrass hall of famer Mac Martin & the Dixie Travelers, Hoots & Hellmouth, Crooked Still, and the Grammy award winning Cajun band the Pine Leaf Boys.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and longtime friend of the organization, Calliope has renovated a new space at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. The space, which occupies most of the lower level of the historic yellow mansion that houses the PCA galleries, features quality acoustic treatments, seating for 75-150, and a club-like atmosphere.

Upcoming Calliope Center Stage Concerts include:

Thursday, September 16—Red Molly  http://redmolly.com/

Stunning three-part harmonies, crisp musicianship and a warm, engaging stage presence on mandolin, guitar and banjo.

Thursday, November 11—The Wiyos http://.thewiyos.com/
Vaudevillian ragtime and blues from a vibrant young group. The Wiyos spent last summer touring with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

* Interplay runs from June 25-August 22, 2010 at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. There will be an opening reception at PCA, open to the public, the evening of June 25th from 5:30pm-8:00pm. A suggested donation of $5.00 is requested at the door.

Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society
 http://calliopehouse.org/
412-361-1915
6300 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

The Mon River Ramblers to Open Saturday's Show at The Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Featival

Coming soon:
The Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival
Friday June 18, 6:00 to 11:00 PM
Saturday June 19, Noon to 11:00 PM
Route 271, Waterford, Just 5 Miles North of Ligonier, PA

Complete festival info here.

The Mon River Ramblers is one of Pittsburgh's youngest and busiest Bluegrass bands, if you are not familiar here is an introductory video.

The Grascals at The Thunderbird Cafe

Darlene and I went to see the Grascals at The Tunderbird Cafe this evening the did there usual fine show. It was our first event at the Thunderbird, and we were impressed. it is a small room with good sound and great site lines, we were in the small balcony and will seek it out again when we return in May for The Gibson Brothers;



The Mon River Ramblers opened the show with their unique style of Bluegrass and it was obvious they have build a loyal fan base. Many in the crowd knew their material and were very responsive to their show.

Mon River Ramblers in The Post Gazette

Mon River Ramblers break their Bluegrass out of the 'Burgh
Music Preview
Thursday, May 14, 2009
By Manny Theiner


Mon River Ramblers -- Robin Brubaker, brothers Jim and Jeff Kuzemka, Luke Stamper and Paul Dvorchak -- jam to bluegrass inside and out of doors.

Envision a group of twentysomethings playing music in a city bar, and most likely some punk, grunge or heavy metal comes to mind. The last thing you'd think of is bluegrass. Which means that the seemingly effortless virtuosity of the Mon River Ramblers -- the area's first breakout bluegrass act from the younger generation -- comes as a pleasant surprise the first time you hear them, no matter what age you are. Read more...