(October 30, 2009) Looking for an alternative to traditional holiday entertainment this season? Acoustic holiday bluegrass visits the Pacific Northwest December 16-20 with the inaugural Cascadia Yulegrass celebration. Featuring world-renowned musicians and regional favorites including Darol Anger, Sharon Gilchrist, Bill Nershi and others, Cascadia Yulegrass is a contemporary, family-friendly, and affordable holiday alternative that doesn't involve cracked nuts or ballerinas.

World-renowned fiddle master Darol Anger will direct and perform. Exceptional among modern fiddlers for his versatility and depth, Anger has driven the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous path-breaking ensembles such as the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, and his Republic of Strings. Today Darol can be heard on NPR's "Car Talk" theme song along with Earl Scruggs, David Grisman and Tony Rice, and is a featured soloist on dozens of recordings and motion picture soundtracks. For Cascadia Yulegrass, Anger is joined by Rowan/Rice, mandolin-player Sharon Gilchrist, regional guitar hero Scott Law, flat-picking master and String Cheese Incident guitarist Bill Nershi, and SCI bassist Keith Moseley. Nershi is coming off a diverse and successful 2009, including a performance at folk music icon Pete Seeger's 90th birthday party at Madison Square Garden. The event was recorded by PBS and is currently being broadcast nationally.

Cascadia Yulegrass also features special guest appearances by Hot Buttered Rum drummer/Everyone Orchestra founder Matt Butler and vocalist Jilian Nershi. Opening the event is feel-good artist Big Water, who will be bringing his message of love, truth & grooving rhythms.

Cascadia Yulegrass hits the following locations this season:
12/16/2009 - River City Saloon, Hood River, OR
12/17/2009 - Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA
12/18/2009 - Wild Buffalo, Bellingham, WA
12/19/2009 - Historic McDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR
12/20/2009 - Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR

Tickets for all markets go on sale Tuesday, November 3rd at www.CascadiaYulegrass.com ^{and venue box offices.}

Don't Forget the Food Drive!

In a year when the need for emergency food boxes throughout the Oregon and Washington foodbank networks skyrocketed to historic highs, Cascadia and The Conscious Alliance (^{www.ConsciousAlliance.org) are proud to announce food drives at each concert - with 100% of donations going to benefit local area food banks. Each patron who donates 10 non-perishable food items will receive a free limited edition Cascadia Yulegrass poster! The Conscious Alliance always encourages food donations to be low-sodium health food oriented products.}

CASCADIA YULEGRASS is produced by MAST Projects.