2023 Edition
Bluegrass has returned to Trafaria, Portugal!
After the local and international partnerships were consolidated, it was possible to repeat once again an event which, from a dream, became a national reference for Bluegrass music.
Despite the weather, the organization launched itself to a second level of effort and commitment. The sun appeared and so did the public thus the growth of the festival was evident.
Five international bands and one Portuguese Bluegrass band performed twice in different spaces in the village of Trafaria, making it once again a musical village!
In addition, several side activities, with the purpose of showing Bluegrass music and the village of Trafaria to its visitors, deepened the familiar, intercultural atmosphere and the dynamic community of the festival. Visitors of all genders came together to dance, play, visit, meet and learn more.
This 2nd edition carried out by Recreios Desportivos da Trafaria, had the support of the Municipal Council of Almada and the Board of the Union of Parishes of Caparica and Trafaria, Antena 1 as Media Partner and many other local and international partners, that without them this would not have been possible.
Program
1st Day - 8th Setember
2nd Day - 9th Setember
3rd Day - 10th Setember
Bands
CHRIS LUQUETTE EAST COAST BLUEGRASS BAND
United States of America
Formed in 2023 to satisfy New York City’s urge for tight harmonies in Bluegrass music. The Chris Luquette East Coast Bluegrass Band members combine for over 40 years collectively of professional bluegrass experience, and feature 4 of NYC’s finest musicians. Together they’ve joined forces to present fine harmonies with spicy solos and a dynamic sense rarely heard in modern music.
Seattle native two-time Grammy nominee Chris Luquette (Formerly of Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen) has teamed up with excellent banjo player Ellery Marshall, fiery mandolinist Cesar Moreno and renowned bassist Max Johnson. Ellery hails from Los Angeles and has lived in NYC nearly 20 years. His playing echoes the greats from Earl Scruggs to Tom Adams. NYC native Cesar Moreno is one of the finest tenor singers in bluegrass music and plays everything from classic bluegrass mandolin to Dawg music and jazz with ease. Bassist Max Johnson is from Hoboken NJ and has toured with The Jeff Austin Band and many other bluegrass acts. He’s well known in the jazz world as a fine composer and has lead many jazz combos on tour in North America and Europe. Max is also a music teacher at Brooklyn College.
In NYC they have a variety of regular gigs and can be seen at music venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
MILKEATERS
Czechia
Milkeaters is a successful European music band from Czechia that plays a wide range of genres, from bluegrass to pop, with the majority of their music being original compositions.
The band consists of David Benda on the banjo, Petr Šolc on the double bass, Petr Ježek on the guitar, and Jan Bláha on the violin. Their debut album was released in 2020, and the band quickly gained a large following due to their unstoppable energy, distinctive approach, and powerful performances.
In 2022, Milkeaters was nominated for the European Bluegrass Band at the French festival, La Roche, and David Benda became the champion of the banjo category in the 2020 World Virtual Bluegrass Banjo competition.
Their shows are filled with humour, world-class instrumental performances, and powerful energy. All of these elements ensure that the audience has a great time throughout the entire performance, providing them with an incredible experience.
The Long John Brothers
Switzerland
After the good reception reserved for “Lost Forty-Niners” in 2019, The Long John Brothers return with “Often Astray”, their second album still in a Bluegrass-Americana register, with a melodic approach borrowing a lot from folk and even eyeing the side pop.
The Long John Brothers have made a step forward, in this technically demanding music, in particular thanks to the many concerts which followed the first album, bringing them, among others, twice on the main stage of the very respected Bluegrass in la Roche festival or at Zermatt Unplugged festival for performances that have made quite an impression. Besides that, dozens of stages of all sizes were played, throughout Switzerland and France.
Mad Meadows
Germany
The band around founding duo Edward Fernbach (mandolin) and Beni Feldmann (guitar) plays bluegrass music.
After a few years of regular touring, the band has acquired a repertoire that, in addition to some absolute bluegrass standards, also includes a lot of exciting original creations and cover versions of well-known artists, material from John Hartford, Tim O’Brien or John Prine that are worth listening to.
The band currently consists of Beni Feldmann on guitar, Edward Fernbach on mandolin, Frank Benn on double and Alain Kempf on double bass.
Long Way Home Duo
USA/Netherlands
Long Way Home is a roots music duo, currently based in The Netherlands. While drawing from experience in bluegrass and American-roots music, their diverse repertoire ranges from recognizable favourites to original songs that are based on their own real-life experiences.
Owen Schinkel (The Netherlands) and Kylie Kay Anderson (Utah, USA) met in Johnson City, Tennessee while studying in the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University. After completing their studies, Owen and Kylie decided to relocate to Co. Cork, Ireland to learn, experience bluegrass music abroad, and to become inspired by new music genres. After remaining 3 years in Cork, Owen and Kylie moved to The Netherlands to continue their journey.
The Long Way Home Duo project is the result of the inspiration and experiences gained while travelling the world together.
Stonebones
& Bad Spaghetti + Chris smith
Portugal/EUA
The Stonebones & Bad Spaghetti are probably the only bluegrass band in Portugal. They are distinguished by the incredible energy of their music and their enthusiastic performance on stage. Live, they present new themes in Portuguese, composed in the style of Bluegrass music and also a comprehensive collection of traditional songs and covers, being able to adapt to any desired environment. They have performed in several renowned bluegrass music festivals in Europe, in countries such as the Netherlands, France, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Scotland and also Portugal, where they have always left their national mark.
Chris Smith has been a part of the Bay Area, California, bluegrass scene for many years. He is best known for his work with the award-winning band Mighty Crows Bluegrass, which he founded in 2004. He was the winner of The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Male Vocalist of the Year Award. Its traditional style and repertoire recall the golden days of bluegrass music of the 1940s and ’50s. You can expect to hear powerful renditions of songs by the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Vern Williams, Red Allen, Dave Evans, James King and Jimmy Martin.
Activities
Jams
Bluegrass music is for everyone and everyone is invited to be a part of this wonderful lifestyle that bluegrass music is! In addition to band concerts, Jams are an important part of a bluegrass festival, which can take place anywhere, anytime.
Bring your instrument and join the musicians. Or you can just listen if you like the music. Jams are a hallmark of a bluegrass festival, which you definitely won’t want to miss!
Contact us and join our WhatsApp Group!
INSTRUMENT WORKSHOPS
The workshops will be unmissable moments to get to know bluegrass music better and to get in touch with the guest musicians.
At the Meeting Point, Casino Stage:
- Day 9 at 10:30 am – Fiddle Workshop with Jan Bláha
- Day 9 at 11:30 am – Mandolin Workshop with Kylie Kay Anderson
- Day 9 at 12:30 pm – Guitar Workshop with Chris Luquette
- Day 10 at 11:30 am – Dobro Workshop with Olivier Uldry
- Day 10 at 12:30 pm – Banjo Workshop with David Benda
Free entry for everyone.
Bring an instrument or not. No reservation needed!
THE SOUND OF THE BLUE
Session with Anabela Libânio
Anabela’s stories curling with the sound of Bluegrass music will rock all ages, marking the opening moment of the second edition of the Bluegrass Festival!
- Friday, 8th, at 4.30 pm, next to the Presídio, Trafaria
Duration 45′ m
VISIT THROUGH TRAFARIA
With Francisco Silva from Almada's Archeology Center
Do you want to know this precious village by the Tagus river?
Francisco and the Almada Archeology Center have dedicated themselves to studying its history and origins, join the group that will be made up of many locals and get to know better about the various nooks and crannies.
- Friday, 8th, at 6 pm, starting at the Casino, Trafaria and ending at the Presidio, Trafaria
Duration 1 hour, easy access
WALK AROUND TRAFARIA
With Francisco Silva from Almada's Archeology Center
Trafaria is even more precious when you know all its surroundings, the woods, slopes, floods, forts and batteries. On this walk for the most resistant, you will be able to discover the best hidden secrets and the most beautiful views of Trafaria.
- Saturday, 9th, at 9:30 am, starting and ending at the Casino, Trafaria
Duration 2h00, medium access
YOGA AT THE PRESIDIO
To start the day off right, we propose an integral yoga practice, to bring the body and mind the feeling of energy and well-being first thing in the morning so that you can fully enjoy our festival. Start with yourself and extend the benefits that yoga provides to everyone around you.
- Saturday and Sunday, 9th and 10th, at 9.30 am, next to the Presidio, Trafaria
Duration 1 hour, easy access
Space Grandparents & Grandchildren
Promote active aging and the interaction of generations.
Be YourSelf and its youth group, in collaboration with Santa Casa Misericórdia de Almada, will be at our Festival.
Some of Trafaria’s Grandparents, who represent the territory, will bring their brilliance and good energy, giving it its due value on several fronts.
The Grandfathers of the Sea will show their arts.
We will also have two entertainment areas, games like archery and crazy rings and another with face painting always in good company with our local seniors.
Age is just a number and the will to party is timeless! For all ages, it’s going to be fun guaranteed!
In some activities a symbolic value may be charged.
At Largo da República:
- Saturday, 9th, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm
- Sunday, 10th, from 10 am to 5 pm
DECORATION TRAFARIA BLUEGRASS
Sustainability always makes sense, but even more so when embarking on a community festival project. The decorations on our streets and stages were all built by volunteers, who spent months assembling wreaths and little fish from wasted materials. Come to learn how and you can also build using your creativity.
At Largo da República:
- Saturday, 9th, from 4 pm to 7 pm
- Sunday,10th, from 4 pm to 5 pm
ON THE TIP OF THE SAND
Artistic direction by Ana Nave
Stories on the streets of Trafaria told through animated forms by: Alice Rolo, Francisco Silva, Rui Silvares, Carla Silva, António Olaio, Elsa Viegas, Elsa Elias, Glória Lima
Research and investigation: Francisco Silva, Rui Silvares
Plastic Conception: Rui Silvares, Rui Oliveira, Alice Rolo
Handling Guidance: Rui Oliveira, Ângela Ribeiro
Texts by: Rui Silvares, Francisco Silva, Xico Braga, Angela Ribeiro, Carla Silva
Photography: Paulo Nunes
Between the Bandstand and the SRMT
- Saturday, 9th, between 4 pm and 5 pm
CLOGGING WORKSHOP
Presentation followed by a workshop with live music.
Clogging is a percussive folk dance characterized by rapid footwork and practically immobile torsos.
To the sound of typical music from the Appalachian mountains, coordinated by Phoebe Ophelia, you will learn the virtuosity of the Clogging dance and see that, like living the Bluegrass spirit, any of us can practice it.
Phoebe Ophelia is an award winning percussive step dancer. Her performances include Appalachian Flat Foot Dance, Lancashire Clog and jazz tap dance. She is also a highly regarded contemporary dance theater artist who has toured internationally for over 10 years.
In the hall of the SRMT Stage
- Saturday, 9th, between 6 pm and 7 pm
Medium access
PEDDY PAPER TRAFARIA BLUEGRASS
A game for all ages that will help you get to know Trafaria and its corners better, as well as navigate through the Bluegrass world.
- Sunday, 10th, at 10 am, starting at Largo da República
Duration 1 hour, easy access
