10 bluegrass bands will perform on the Main Street Stage,
competing for cash prizes – winners chosen by the audience
Dallas Heritage Village and the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation will present the 2nd Annual Front Porch Showdown, Saturday, May 30, at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood, Dallas, 75215. Gates open at noon and all historic buildings will be open for touring until the showdown begins from 4 -7 p.m. Ten bluegrass bands will perform on the Main Street Stage, competing for cash prizes, with winners chosen by the audience. Each audience member with a paid admission will receive a ballot at the entrance to vote for their favorite band. Picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome. Children are invited to participate in a craft activity of making musical instruments to play in their own pint-sized jam from 4-6 p.m. and along with the bands.
“For the second year, we are excited to bring this type of musical event to Dallas Heritage Village and want to thank the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation for their continued partnership,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “We encourage you to bring the family, come early to explore our historic buildings. It’s going to be another great event!”
The performing bands are: Acoustic Sound Hounds (Scurry), Bluestem (Dallas), Blue Valley Tradition (Rockwall), Bobby Giles & Music Mountain (Fort Worth), Pearl & The Polka Dots (Weatherford), Philip Ferguson & Texas True (Wylie), Pine Island Station (Waller), Runnin’ Ragged (Gunter), Southern Anthem (Goldthwaite), Strings of Faith (Plano). Each band will have 15 minutes to take the front porch, play a couple of songs, and entertain the crowd before the next band begins. All bands play only acoustic instruments into a microphone.
“What a fantastic setting to enjoy a family-friendly day of acoustic music and fun!” said Alan Tompkins, president of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. “We’ve got another great lineup of bands to play in the contest, and we expect to have hundreds of bluegrass musicians jamming all around Dallas Heritage Village. Bring your fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, Dobro, or upright bass and join the fun. You won’t be disappointed!”
Kids 12 and under free with parent or guardian. Advance tickets are $10 at dallasheritagevillage.org or by calling 214-413-3674, and tickets at the gate are $12. Proceeds benefit Dallas Heritage Village and the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. Contest winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation: www.bluegrassheritage.org