2024 Edition
Bluegrass returned to Trafaria!
With local and international partnerships consolidated, it was possible to repeat that event which, from a dream, became a national reference for Bluegrass music.
Despite the weather, which forced the organisers to step up their efforts and commitment, the sun came out, the audience turned up, and the festival’s growth was clear to see.
Five international bands and one national Bluegrass band performed twice in different venues in the village of Trafaria, turning it once again into a musical village!
In addition, various parallel activities, aimed at introducing Bluegrass and Trafaria to visitors, consolidated the festival’s family atmosphere and community and intercultural dynamics. Visitors of all kinds came together to dance, play, visit, discover and learn more.
This 3rd edition, organised by Recreios Desportivos da Trafaria, was supported by the Almada City Council and the Caparica and Trafaria Parish Council, Antena 2 as Media Partner and many other local and international partners, without whom it would not have been possible.
1st Day - 13th September
2nd Day - 14th September
3rd Day - 15th September
Bandas
fado n' grass
Portugal
Fado N’ Grass, the name given to the fusion of the musical genres Bluegrass and Fado. This musical expression emerged from a diversity of influences, including Fado, Folklore, Blues, Jazz, Polka, Waltz, among others, and is the result of a desire to promote Bluegrass and Portuguese music.
For the third edition of ‘Trafaria Bluegrass’, we have prepared two distinct concerts. One is a fusion where fados will be performed with the sound and rhythms of Bluegrass instruments, and the other is traditional Gospel music to the rhythm of Bluegrass.
RAIN OF ANIMALS
Escócia/Austrália
Rain Of Animals is the euphonic collaboration between Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!) and Theodore Barnard (Wire & Wool) and their love for the mandolin, violin, guitar, harmonies, Bluegrass, old-time, swing, music and songs.
Ranging from soulful originals to arrangements of classics and musical rarities that audiences wish they had discovered sooner, their sound is both new and old, unique in its instrumental magic and, at the same time, in its musical integrity.
BLUE WEED
Itália
Blue Weed is a group of Italian musicians inspired by traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Created on the basis of two historic Italian bluegrass bands – Bluegrass Stuff and Red Wine – in 2022, they decided to start a new band, capable of expressing their own stylistic interpretation of the genre.
Blue Weed’s repertoire offers a wide range of sounds and styles of bluegrass music from its origins to the present day.
BOOM DITTY
França
Formed in 2012 in southwestern France, the band Boom Ditty is now part of the French Bluegrass scene. With over 300 shows under their belt, the band has performed at major European Bluegrass festivals, including European World of Bluegrass (Netherlands) and La Roche Bluegrass Festival (France).
It is a long road for a band to build its own identity today. Boom Ditty has successfully overcome this challenge over the years and has managed to create a solid consistency between its visual image and musical act. With an admirable sound, they draw the audience even further into Boom Ditty’s unique verse and more broadly into Bluegrass music.
Lluís Gómez Bluegrass Quartet
LLUÍS GÓMEZ BLUEGRASS QUARTET
Espanha/França/Chéquia
An international band led by acclaimed Spanish banjoist Lluís Gómez, joined by Ondra Kozák from the Czech Republic, Raphaël Maillet from France, and Maribel Rivero from Spain.
The four members, multi-instrumentalists and singers, are well known on the European Bluegrass scene. Within this collaboration, they play traditional and progressive Bluegrass with added spices from their respective countries.
You can hear songs in Spanish, Catalan, French, Czech and English, as well as original compositions.
Lluís Gómez – five-string banjo
Ondra Kozák – guitar, violin and vocals
Maribel Rivero – double bass and vocals
Raphaël Maillet – violin and vocals
level best
Estados Unidos da América
Five veteran Bluegrass musicians discover that their taste and talent fit so well together that they want to share that excitement with Bluegrass fans around the world. That’s the story of the American band Level Best.
With exciting solos on the violin, dobro, mandolin and banjo, Level Best has that polished sound, achieved through years of playing Bluegrass and country music.
But for Level Best, the vocals are everything. Four members of the band love to sing, and they all feel at home singing solo or in harmony. This results in a dozen different trio combinations and a unique range of vocal harmonies.
With a unique repertoire of original and traditional Bluegrass and country songs, Level Best are ready to make their mark on the audience at Trafaria.
Activities
spontaneous Jams
Bluegrass music is for everyone, and everyone is invited to be part of this wonderful lifestyle that is bluegrass music! In addition to band concerts, jams are an important part of a bluegrass festival, which can happen anywhere and 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, and you definitely won’t want to miss them!
Workshops
with the musicians
The workshops will be unmissable opportunities to learn more about bluegrass music and meet the guest musicians.
At the Meeting Point, Casino Stage.
Free admission for all.
Bring an instrument or not. No reservation required!
THE SOUND OF BLUE
Anabela’s stories, accompanied by António Rosa’s Bluegrass music, will enchant audiences of all ages, marking the opening of the second edition of the Bluegrass Festival!
Duration: 45 minutes.
Visit Trafaria
With Francisco Silva From Centro de Arqueologia de Almada
Would you like to discover this beautiful village where the Tagus River meets the sea?
Francisco and the Almada Archaeology Centre have been studying its history and origins. Join the group, which will include many local residents, and learn more about its various attractions and charms.
Duration: 1 hour, easy difficulty.
WALKING TOUR TRAFARIA
With Francisco Silva from Centro de Arqueologia de Almada
Trafaria is even more precious when you get to know its surroundings, the forests, hillsides, streams, forts and batteries. On this walk for the more resilient, you will be able to discover Trafaria’s best-kept secrets and most beautiful views.
Duration: 2 hours, medium difficulty.
YOGA AT PRESÍDIO
To start the day off right, we suggest a comprehensive yoga practice to bring a sense of energy and well-being to your body and mind first thing in the morning, so you can enjoy our festival to the fullest. Start with yourself and extend the benefits of yoga to everyone around you.
Duration: 1 hour, easy difficulty.
GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN OF THE SEA SPACE
Promote active ageing and intergenerational interaction.
Be YourSelf and its youth group, in collaboration with Santa Casa Misericórdia de Almada, will be present at our Festival.
Some of the Grandparents of Trafaria, representing the territory, will bring their sparkle and good energy, giving them their due value on various fronts.
The Grandparents of the Sea will showcase their arts.
We will also have two entertainment areas, with games such as archery and crazy rings, and another with face painting, always in good company with our local seniors.
Age is just a number and the desire to party is timeless! Fun is guaranteed for all ages!
A nominal fee may be charged for some activities.
At Largo da República.
(DE)CORAÇÃO TRAFARIA BLUEGRASS
Sustainability always makes sense, but even more so when embarking on a community festival project. The decorations for our streets and stages were all built by volunteers, who spent months assembling garlands and fish from waste materials. Come and learn how, and you too can build using your creativity.
At Largo da República.
"NA PONTA DA AREIA"
A production: Arte33/ RDT-Casino
Artistic direction: Ana Nave
Stories from 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.
Artistic design: Rui Silvares, Rui Oliveira, Alice Rolo.
Manipulation guidance: Rui Oliveira, Ângela Ribeiro
Texts by: Rui Silvares, Francisco Silva, Xico Braga, Angela Ribeiro, Carla Silva
Photographs: Paulo Nunes
Between the Bandstand and the Trafariense Musical Recreational Society.
CLOGGING DANCE WORKSHOP
Coordinated by Phoebe Ophelia, an award-winning percussive step dancer.
Presentation followed by a workshop with live music.
Clogging is a percussive folk dance characterised by rapid footwork and virtually immobile torsos.
To the sound of traditional Appalachian music, we will learn the virtuosity of clogging and show you that, just like living the Bluegrass spirit, anyone can practise it.
The presentations include Flat Foot Dance from the Appalachian Mountains, Lancashire Clog and jazz tap dancing. Phoebe is also a renowned contemporary dance theatre artist who has been touring internationally for over 10 years.
In the SRMT Stage hall. Medium difficulty.
PEDDY PAPER TRAFARIA BLUEGRASS
A game for all ages that will help you get to know Trafaria and its hidden corners better, as well as navigate the world of Bluegrass.
Duration: 1 hour. Easy difficulty.