Boston, MA — The Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU) is proud to present the 24th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Presidents Day Weekend, February 13 – 15, 2009, at the Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, MA. This beloved winter tradition boasts a full weekend of top-notch bluegrass entertainment, including performances by some of the best national and regional bands, over forty master classes and workshops, the BBU’s acclaimed Academy for Kids, directed slow jams, a thriving vendor floor with a great array of bluegrass-related merchandise (including instruments, CDs, memorabilia, and more), round-the-clock picking, and more….

Owensboro, KY — A foot-stomping birthday celebration for native Kentuckian Abe Lincoln will take place in Owensboro on his 200th birthday. The International Bluegrass Music Museum and author Rick Miller will premiere a new, original musical: “Lincoln in the Land of Bluegrass.” The play is set to bluegrass music, the style created by another celebrated Kentuckian, Mr. Bill Monroe.

The IBMA has issued a reminder of the Nov. 30 deadline to receive entries in its annual contest to select an educational lesson plan that utilizes bluegrass music.

The plan can be incorporated into any subject and for any grade from kindergarten through grade 12. The contest is aimed at school teachers, home-school parents and college students majoring in education.