Stacey Spencer loves the history and sound behind bluegrass music.
"It tells stories," said the Squamish musician who is helping to bring the 11th annual Brackendale Bluegrass Festival to the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) on Saturday, May 4.
"It's acoustic," Spencer said. "It has such a broad history behind it that you can take courses in bluegrass music at college. It's also got such a great gospel and country feel."
With such a passion for the genre, Spencer was an ideal choice to help organize this year's incarnation of the festival.
"The festival was started 11 years ago by Thor Froslev and Cam Salay," she said. "This year, Cam decided he wanted to take more of a back-seat role, so he approached my friend Michelle Fulford and asked if we wanted to get involved."
Spencer and Fulford had recently attended the Nimble Fingers bluegrass camp in Sorrento, B.C., so they seemed like the perfect match for the job.
"It's just like going to summer camp, except it's with adults," she said. "We had all-night jams and workshops taught by some of the biggest names in bluegrass music."
Together, Spencer and Fulford took on this year's Bluegrass Festival, with Juno Award-winning Salay - known for his work with The Paperboys - still staying involved.
"He's like Charlie and we're his angels, " joked Spencer, referring to the 1980s television crime drama.
This year's festival features a two-part musical gala.
"From 3 to 5 p.m. we are having the Slow Pitch Jam," Spencer said. "We want everyone to bring their bluegrass instruments and have a good time."
Spencer said musical guests The Moonshiners from Victoria would lead the free-form open concert, and talk about things like jam etiquette.
"There will be some organization, but it is a jam," she said. "It's also meant to be inclusive, so everyone from beginners to all levels are welcome."
At 8 p.m., it's show time, with local band The Mountain Williams followed by The Moonshiners.
Although bluegrass is known for its upbeat tempo, the festival does ring with a bit of a sombre note.
"This year, the festival is in being put on in memory of Andy Williams, the father of Monty Williams from The Mountain Williams band," Spencer said.
Tickets to participate or just listen in on the Slow Pitch Jam are $5, while the concert at 8 p.m. runs $20 for adults and $10 for youths, available at BAG or Xocolatl. Kids under 12 are free. For more info, call (604) 849-1979.
