Pete Wernick, aka Dr. Banjo, and his lovely wife Joan will be headed to Russia this summer to participate in the Russia-America Bluegrass Jamboree in July.
This is the first event of its kind, being organized in part by the Consulate General of the United States in St. Petersburg. Free concerts, workshops and jam sessions will be offered in Vologda July 20-21 to help introduce bluegrass music to the Russian audience.
The Wernicks will perform as part of the main stage show, and give a presentation to Russian teens in Semenko about bluegrass music. They have a number of other dates in eastern Russia while they are in country as well.
- July 19: St. Petersburg – Radio Show
- July 20: Vologda – Russia-America Bluegrass Jamboree
- July 21: Semenkovo – Russia-America Bluegrass Jamboree Presentation to Teenagers,
- July 22: St. Petersburg – Museum Presentation and accompaniment for silent movie
- July 23: St. Petersburg – Private Party at Home of U.S. Consul General
Pete’s grandparents were immigrants to the US from Ukraine, once a part of the former Soviet Union, just below the southeastern borders of Russia. He reports that he is delighted to be able to bring bluegrass music on the mission of cultural understanding.
The organizers of the Russia-America Bluegrass Jamboree are soliciting sponsorships and donations to make the event a major one in the summer arts calendar. We’ll have more about that in a follow-up posting.
