Ira Gitlin

Schedule

If you’d like to receive notices about upcoming performances and events, please e-mail me.

Saturday, March 30

Private event

Why not have bluegrass, country, or swing music at your event? Contact me at ira@iragitlin.com.

Friday, April 5

Karen Collins & the Backroads Band (Honky-Tonk Country)

CANCELLED.

Saturday, April 6

Big Howdy (Bluegrass)

Hank Dietle’s Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240)512-3077

5:00-7:30 PM

Our monthly bluegrass showcase, with special guests No Part Of Nothin’.

Tuesdays, April 9, 16, 30, and May 7

Bluegrass Vocal Harmony Class

Takoma SPARK
7112 Willow Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(240) 690-1910

7:30-8:30 PM

Vocal harmony is one of the glories of bluegrass music, whether on stage or in a jam session. This four-session class will offer an introduction to bluegrass vocal harmony. If you’ve never sung harmony before, we’ll demystify the subject and look at how harmony works in general. And if you’re already singing harmony, we’ll look at some of the distinctive ways bluegrass handles it, so you can sound more authentic and add your voice to any bluegrass situation. Information and registration link here.

Friday, April 12

Karen Collins & the Backroads Band (Honky-Tonk Country)

CANCELLED.

Sunday, April 14

Private event

Why not have bluegrass, country, or swing music at your event? Contact me at ira@iragitlin.com.

Friday, April 19

Private event

Why not have bluegrass, country, or swing music at your event? Contact me at ira@iragitlin.com.

Wednesday, April 17

Tex Rubinowitz, Tom Mindte, and the Original Dixieland Rock ‘n’ Roll Band

The Hamilton
600 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202)787-1000

8:00 PM

We’ll be opening for Tex’s old friends Los Straitjackets!

Sunday, April 28

The Oklahoma Twisters (Western Swing)

Hank Dietle’s Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240)512-3077

6:00-9:00 PM

Monday, April 29

Bluegrass Jam

Takoma SPARK
7112 Willow Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(240) 690-1910

7:00-9:00 PM

Come join me and my co-host Mary Naden for an evening of musical fun and fellowship!

Saturday, May 4

Big Howdy (Bluegrass)

Hank Dietle’s Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240)512-3077

5:00-7:30 PM

Our monthly bluegrass showcase, with special guest TBA.

Sunday, May 5

Tex Rubinowitz, Tom Mindte, and the Original Dixieland Rock & Roll Band

Hank Dietle’s Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240)512-3077

6:00-9:00 PM

Thursday, May 9

Ann Porcella (Country, Old-Time, Folk)

Mickey’s Joint
5402 Harford Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21214

7:30 PM

A rare duo performance with my Blue Moon Cowgirls colleague Ann Porcella.

Monday, May 13-Thursday, May 16

Wernick Method Bluegrass Jamming Camp

Granite Hill Camping Resort
3340 Fairfield Rd.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717)642-8749

An intensive—and fun!—introduction to playing music with others, in the days leading up to the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. For more information, or to register, go here.

Thursday, May 23

Private event

Why not have bluegrass, country, or swing music at your event? Contact me at ira@iragitlin.com.

Monday, May 27

Bluegrass Jam

Takoma SPARK
7112 Willow Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(240) 690-1910

7:00-9:00 PM

Come join me and my co-host Mary Naden for an evening of musical fun and fellowship!

Saturday, June 1

Big Howdy (Bluegrass)

Hank Dietle’s Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240)512-3077

5:00-7:30 PM

Our monthly bluegrass showcase, with special guest TBA.

Monday, June 24

Bluegrass Jam

Takoma SPARK
7112 Willow Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(240) 690-1910

7:00-9:00 PM

Come join me and my co-host Mary Naden for an evening of musical fun and fellowship!

Saturday, July 6

Big Howdy (Bluegrass)

Hank Dietle’s Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240)512-3077

5:00-7:30 PM

Our monthly bluegrass showcase, with special guests Cherry Blossom Special.

Sunday, July 14-Friday, July 19

Augusta Bluegrass Week

Augusta Heritage Center
Davis and Elkins College
100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241
(304)637-1209

An intense week of classes, concerts, dances, jamming, and all-around good times! We’ve lined up a great staff of instructors—great teachers, great players, and great people to hang with for a week in the green rolling hills of West Virginia. Go here for more information, or to register.

Thursday, August 15-Sunday, August 18

Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival Kids’ Academy

Granite Hill Camping Resort
3340 Fairfield Rd.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717)642-8749

If you know any kids who are playing—or are interested in playing—any of the bluegrass instruments, please make sure their families know about this fun and educational program. I and my team of great teachers are looking forward to being back at Granite Hill, coaching the next generation of bluegrass pickers! For more information go here (not yet updated for 2024).

Monday, August 26-Friday, August 30

Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Camp

Silver Bay YMCA
87 Silver Bay Rd.
Silver Bay, NY 12874
(518) 543-8833

It’s a bit of a drive, but well worth it—a week of playing bluegrass, jamming, and hanging out with old and new friends in a stunningly lovely setting on the shores of Lake George! I’ll be back again teaching bass, harmony singing, and whatever else comes up. For more information, or to register, go here.

D'Addario Strings