Winter Bluegrass Weekend

Winter Bluegrass Weekend is held Friday–Sunday on the first weekend in March each year (In 2025 it starts the last day of February) at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel. This is a ticketed event.

Member Band Showcase

The main event of Winter Weekend is the MBOTMA Member Band Showcase. The Showcase is a non-curated event. Instead, every member band is invited to sign up for a slot online for a Friday or Saturday set in either the Europa Room or Regency Room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The slots are selected by the bands on a first-come first-served basis.

Band Members and Bandmate Members receive notice by email when the signups will go live.

The 40- minute Showcase sets are not paid, but all band members receive free tickets to the festival. 

Opening Act for Saturday Night Mainstage Concert

In addition to the Showcase, one member band is selected by the Winter Weekend planning committee to be the opening act for the national Mainstage act.

The opening slot is a paid opportunity, and all band members receive free tickets to the festival.

Kickoff Jam

The Kickoff event is held Friday–Sunday at El Rancho Mañana the weekend following Memorial Day. This is not a ticketed event, and there are no stage performances. 

Ranch House Live

The only official activities during Kickoff weekend is Ranch House Live. Member Bands are invited to sign up for a slot online for a 25-minute set at the Ranch House. RHL sets are usually very loose and do not have to be performed by a full Member Band. Please mix and match as you choose!

Band Members and Bandmate Members receive notice by email when the signups will go live. After a 2-week exclusive Member Band sign up period, remaining sign-ups are available to the general membership.

This is an unpaid opportunity.

August Fest

Minnesota Bluegrass August Fest is held Thursday–Sunday at El Rancho Mañana the second weekend of August each year. This is a ticketed event.

Main Stage and Underground Stage

Member Bands are offered an opportunity to express interest in playing one or more sets at the Main Stage or the Underground Stage. 

Band Members and Bandmate Members receive notice by email when the signups will go live. 

Members of the August Fest Planning Committee discuss and select Bands from these nominations. 

These are paid opportunities. In addition, band members receive full admission to the Festival including a special performers-only camping area.

Marketplace Stage and Family Stage

The Marketplace Stage and Family Stages are curated by the coordinators of those stages. Sets are offered to Member Bands as a priority, but non-member bands may also be selected on occasion.

These are unpaid opportunities, but all band members receive full admission to the Festival including a special performers-only camping area.

Ranch House Live

Ranch House Live at August Fest is similar to Kickoff, with the addition of Thursday evening slots. Member Bands are invited to sign up for a slot online for a 25-minute set at the Ranch House. RHL sets are usually very loose and do not have to be performed by a full Member Band. Please mix and match as you choose!

Band Members and Bandmate Members receive notice by email when the signups will go live. After a 2-week exclusive Member Band sign up period, remaining sign-ups are available to the general membership.

This is an unpaid opportunity, and does not include admission to the Festival. All performers must have a wristband to participate.

Fall Jam

Fall Jam is held Friday–Sunday on the second weekend of November at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth. This is a ticketed event.

Friday Night Related-Band Concert

The Friday Night Concert at Fall Jam is a showcase for progressive, non-traditional acoustic music. Member Bands are offered an opportunity to express interest in playing, and the Fall Jam Planning Committee discuss and select bands from these nominations.

These are paid opportunities. In addition, band members receive full admission to the Festival.

New Recording/New Band Showcase

Saturday afternoons in the Europa Room, there is a showcase of Member Bands who have recent recordings, are newly-formed and have not had prior opportunities to play on a MBOTMA stage, or have not otherwise appeared recently.

Member Bands are offered an opportunity to express interest in playing, and the Fall Jam Planning Committee discuss and select bands from these nominations.

This is a paid opportunity. In addition, band members receive full admission to the Festival.

Opening Act for Saturday Night Mainstage Concert

One member band is selected by the Fall Jam Planning Committee from the list of nominations to be the opening act for the national Mainstage act.

The opening slot is a paid opportunity, and all band members receive free tickets to the festival.

Fireside Live

Similar to Ranch House Live, Member Bands are invited to sign up for a slot online for a 25-minute set in the Fireside Lounge. These sets are usually very loose and do not have to be performed by a full Member Band. Please mix and match as you choose!

Band Members and Bandmate Members receive notice by email when the signups will go live. After a 2-week exclusive Member Band sign up period, remaining sign-ups are available to the general membership.

This is an unpaid opportunity.

Other Opportunities

Occasionally, MBOTMA receives messages from venues or other parties who are booking events. We refer these people to our Member Band Directory, and post the request on the "Fans of Minnesota Bluegrass" Facebook Group.