Bluegrass Beeg is an annual one-day music festival which was initially held in 2013 in the villageGrevenbicht, Netherlands. This festival is held in October. Grevenbicht is a village in the far south of the Netherlands, near to the border of Belgium and Germany. Musicians from countries in Europe and around the world travel to meet and perform. During the festival about 10 bands or 40 musicians perform. Every year the Bluegrass Beeg attracts 500 to 600 visitors. Bluegrass Beeg is organized by Foundation AutiVriendelijk Limburg.
Format and design of the festival
During the bluegrass festival there are stage performances that take place in the public room of the building 'Oos Hoes'. The bluegrass bands from Europe participate in a battle to win the Bluegrass Beeg award. The public votes to determine who is the best band and gave the best performance. Parallel to the festival, workshops dealing with bluegrass are performed by renowned European and American bluegrass musicians. There are also activities and workshops for children of all ages. Bluegrass Beeg strives to be a family oriented bluegrass event as well. Near the location is a public parking lot which can be used. Musicians and public use the parking lot to play together. Bluegrass Beeg supplies its attendees with around the clockfirst aid volunteers, security and a transportation system to and from the festival. The festival is Autism-friendly organized. This means that necessary measurements are taken for people to be able to enter the festival safely as a visitor, a volunteer or as an artist. The format of the festival helps people with autistic qualities to participate active or passive in an international social society.
Background
In the Netherlands there is a relative small group approximately 2000 persons busy with bluegrass music. In the Autumn of 2013 the first autism friendly took place. In 2013 the next countries participated: Belgium, Germany and Netherlands. In the first year ten Bluegrassbands performed one or more times. This festival sets an example for local 'Picking Parties' organized through the year. Bluegrass originates from Northern America. Therefore the main language is English. Among others a few big names in the world of Bluegrass are Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt. More musicians can be found at the List of bluegrass musicians. In Europe there is a chain of Bluegrass festivals. An overview made by EBMA in 2011 can be found at List of European Bluegrass Festivals.
