Annette Fuentes

Ol' Timey Music for Open Space Group


Bass fiddles, mandolins, guitars and the twang of bluegrass singing filled the field at the Dunsmuir estate in Oakland's hills Saturday as the Greenbelt Alliance held its fifth annual fundraiser. The perfect weather and bill of seven acts drew a healthy crowd, many of whom stomped their feet and doe-see-doed their partners. Some just danced solo, like one enthusiast whose intense footwork created mud patches in front of the stages. 

The sun was hot and so was the music, which included Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands and The Tuttle Family, whose three younger members played like old hands. The Tuttle's are led by father Jack, who plays the bass and teaches blue grass from his Palo Alto studio. They were joined by singer A.J. Lee. Her dulcet voice seemed too knowing for her age, but Tuttle claimed that "she's 12 years old and she's been singing for 13 years." Biologically impossible, but his point was taken. Among their songs was "El Cumbanchero," a Puerto Rican tune played bluegrass style. See them do it on YouTube.

 

 

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Annette Fuentes
Annette Fuentes, a native New Yorker, comes to The Bay Citizen from New America Media, where she was managing editor. A veteran news journalist, is the author of the forthcoming book, “Lock Down High: When ... View Profile
B York
B York
wrote on 06/07/2010 at 1:58 p.m. PDT

Excellent music and great chance to see musicians up close. Kids spent hours with the small animals. People enjoyed dancing in the grass and chatting in the sun. Plus, a good cause for all in the Bay Area.

Sara Barz
Sara Barz
wrote on 06/07/2010 at 2:10 p.m. PDT

Bluegrass for the Greenbelt was a great event. I enjoyed it very much, and I look forward to Bluegrass next year.

M
M
wrote on 10/14/2010 at 12:54 p.m. PDT

It would be fun to attend this old-time event next year for the first time. By the way the Tuttles are playing at the Redwood Bluegrass Associates in Mountain View on Saturday, Oct 23, 2010.

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