Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – Bluegrass music and food will take center stage at the Western Historical Trails Center’s annual “Creative Gathering” Feb. 16-18.

The Creative Gathering includes a “Jam ‘n’ Bread” February 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. The weekly event allows the public to join an open musical “jam” while enjoying tasty homemade bread. For people who are not able to participate in the “Jam ‘n’ Bread,” they are invited to an evening musical jam session on February 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.. Light snacks and drinks will be served. Both events are free and open to the public.

On February 18, renowned fiddler Dwight “Red” Lamb of Onawa will talk about old-time fiddling from 1:30 to 3 p.m.. Lamb has played the fiddle for nearly 60 years and comes from several generations of fiddlers, including his father and grandfather. He was a featured performer in the Smithsonian’s 1996 festival of American Folklife and the Sesquicentennial Festival of Iowa Folklife.

At 3 p.m., nationally-renowned bluegrass banjo player Bob Black will talk about his years playing bluegrass and his new book, Come Hither To Go Yonder, Playing Bluegrass with Bill Monroe. Black, of North English, began playing banjo at 15. He moved to Iowa City in the 1970s to play in The Bluegrass Union, a band that also included fiddler Alan Murphy. From there he went straight to Nashville and played with the legendary Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys from 1974-1976.

At 6 p.m., a dinner of biscuits and gravy will be served. The evening will conclude with a concert by Bob Black and his band, Banjoy, at 7:30 p.m.

Each event on February 18 is $5 with an additional $10 for the concert. A $15 all-event ticket is available if purchased before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 18. WHTC is at 3434 Richard Downing Avenue, off of 24th Street south of Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs. More information is available at 712-366-4900.

Creative Gathering is sponsored by Grease Monkey, Heartland Inn, Ligett Music and Bill Petersen.

The Western Historic Trails Center is operated by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy and an advocate for understanding Iowa’s past. It identifies, records, collects, preserves, manages and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources. Its dual mission of preservation and education serves Iowans of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates information, and encourages and supports historical preservation and education efforts of others throughout the state.

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