San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS) Official Site

The San Diego Bluegrass Society sponsors a wide variety of bluegrass music events, including with open mics and jam sessions for San Diegans and visitors who desire to play bluegrass in a group setting. SDBS also brings bluegrass concerts by nationally recognized bands touring through our region, along with workshops and other educational activities.

Check out our Events+Calendar page for details. Better yet, sign up for our email list and we'll keep you informed of special events. Best of all, join the SDBS with a family membership ($25) or a band membership ($35) per year for our monthly e-newsletter, special member discounts, and more, You'll enjoy becoming part of our family-friendly community, and knowing that your support keeps bluegrass music alive and well in San Diego.

2nd Monday Evening Pick up Bands and Jam Session at Duck Foot Brewery Miramar

Join us at Duck Foot Brewery every 2nd Monday of the month from 6:30-9 pm for open mic, jamming, and pick up bands.
For details see the Events+Calendar page.

Duck Foot has great beer, plenty of free parking, indoor performance area, and outside jamming. SDBS will provide a sound system. Those of you who have visited our 4th Sunday Duck Foot event know what a great place this is!

Free Music Outreach with Emma's Gut Bucket Band

Gut Bucket Band

SDBS has an active music outreach program with Emma’s Gut Bucket Band, bringing bluegrass music to public and private schools, senior centers, assisted living facilities, homeless centers and the like at no cost. We also offer a lending library of instructional materials, plus an instrument lending Library, to our members. An instrument donation program is also available. Send us an email for info: info@sandiegobluegrass.org.

Summergrass was August 15-17, 2025
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
2040 N Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA
To learn about 2026 Summergrass please visit the Summergrass website here

SDBS and the Summergrass Bluegrass Festival

During Summergrass 2025, SDBS and our sister organization to the north, North County Bluegrass & Folk Club (NCBFC) , are offering a special two-for-one annual membership for only $30. That's right, you can buy a membership in both organizations for $30 - ONLY AT SUMMERGRASS! This special two-for-one membership is only for regular family membership. Band memberships are not included (but still a bargain at $35). With your memberships will receive monthly newsletters from both organizations and learn about all upcoming jamming, concerts, and other musical opportunities. You will also meet a fun group of people with whom to share the music. To buy your 2 for 1 memberships, look for the NCBFC/SDBS table near the concert venue, or ask anyone for directions to "The Compound," located in at the north end of the RV parking lot.

We all love Summergrass and are proud to have been founding partners in 2002-3 and key parts of its success. Summergrass is now in the hands of the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, but SDBS Board members have served in every role at Summergrass over the years, as founders, as festival chair and vice chair, as finance chair, as talent buyers, and more. SDBS and NCBFC volunteers have been key parts of its long term success.

Summergrass photos by David Cupp.
Photo 1: Tribute to Dennis Capplinger on the Summergass Mainstage featuring John Moore, Sara Watkins, Zach Caplinger, Steve Spurgeon and other greats.

Caplinger Tribute Summergrass