About Philly Bluegrass

What is Philly Bluegrass?

Philly Bluegrass (PBG) is the community hub for bluegrass music in the Philadelphia area. We promote the creation, performance, and appreciation of bluegrass and acoustic roots music through a comprehensive events calendar, weekly social media, an email newsletter, in-person events, and media partnerships with area venues. Founded in 2015, PBG is a nonprofit fiscally sponsored project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia.

How is Philly Bluegrass funded?

PBG is supported by donations from individual members and donors, and by occasional sponsorships. We have also received philanthropic support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. If you’d like to support PBG, you can donate here.

Who runs Philly Bluegrass?

PBG is a volunteer-driven organization led by a small team of bluegrass fans and community members. We are always looking for volunteers — see below.

Who makes money from Philly Bluegrass?

Nobody. PBG is a nonprofit, volunteer-powered project. Nobody on the PBG team receives a salary or compensation of any kind. Every dollar raised or earned — through donations, sponsorships, or events — goes directly back into supporting the mission. We do this because we love the music and the community, full stop.

The Calendar

What is the Philly Bluegrass calendar?

The PBG calendar is a comprehensive, free listing of bluegrass shows, jams, and festivals in and around Philadelphia. It’s updated regularly and available at phillybluegrass.com/calendar. You can also subscribe to the calendar on your iOS or Android device so events appear directly in your phone’s calendar app.

How do I submit a show or jam?

Use the submission form at phillybluegrass.com/calendar. You’ll need the event name, date, start and end time, venue name, city, a short description, and a ticket or info link. Submit as early as possible — and no later than Sunday to be included in that week’s social media roundup.

Is there a cost to list an event?

No. Standard calendar listings are always free.

What kinds of events are eligible?

Shows and jams that are bluegrass or bluegrass-adjacent — old-time, Americana, acoustic roots — and within a reasonable driving distance of Center City Philadelphia. All submissions are subject to PBG’s approval.

I submitted a show. When will it appear on the calendar?

Eligible submissions are added on a rolling basis. If you submitted well in advance and don’t see your show listed after a few days, feel free to follow up at notes@phillybluegrass.com.

Can venues submit their shows directly?

Yes — and we encourage it. If your venue regularly books bluegrass, reaching out to establish an ongoing submission relationship is the best way to make sure nothing gets missed. Contact us at notes@phillybluegrass.com.

Social Media & Promotion

How does PBG decide what to post about on social media?

Every eligible show submitted to the calendar is included in our weekly social media roundup, which goes out on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. For shows or artists we find particularly noteworthy, we may also do dedicated posts at our discretion.

Can I request a dedicated social media post for my show?

Dedicated posts are part of our Media Partnership option — see below. We don’t do one-off dedicated posts on request outside of that program.

Does PBG do ticket giveaways?

Occasionally. We do giveaways for shows we would already be promoting independently — not as a standalone promotional service. If you’re interested in a giveaway, reach out to notes@phillybluegrass.com and we’ll let you know if it’s a fit.

Media Partnerships

What is a Media Partnership?

A Media Partnership is a deeper promotional relationship between PBG and a venue, promoter, or band. It includes featured placement on the PBG website, dedicated social media posts, prominent mention in our email newsletter or a dedicated e-blast, and permission to include Philly Bluegrass on your promotional materials.

How do I request a Media Partnership?

Submit your event via the calendar form, then email notes@phillybluegrass.com noting your interest. Include the event date, venue, full lineup, and any promotional deadlines. We’ll follow up to discuss availability and terms.

Is there a cost for a Media Partnership?

No. PBG does not charge for media partnerships, which are an in-kind relationship.

Newsletter

How do I subscribe to the Philly Bluegrass newsletter?

Subscribe here. We send a seasonal email highlighting the best upcoming shows, plus occasional special announcements.

How often does the newsletter go out?

Roughly quarterly, with occasional additional blasts for special events, ticket giveaways, and PBG-presented shows.

Can I advertise in the newsletter?

PBG does not sell advertising in its newsletter. Prominent newsletter mentions are available through the Media Partnership program described above.

Getting Involved

How can I support Philly Bluegrass?

The best ways to support PBG are to donate, follow us on social media, share our posts, and submit your shows to the calendar. Spreading the word to other bluegrass fans in the Philadelphia area is genuinely helpful.

Does PBG have volunteer opportunities?

Yes. We’re always looking for people who want to help with social media and content, venue outreach, and event documentation (photography, video). If you’re interested, email notes@phillybluegrass.com with a little about yourself and how you’d like to help.

I have an idea for something PBG should do. Who do I contact?

We’d love to hear it. Email notes@phillybluegrass.com.

Philly Bluegrass — phillybluegrass.com — notes@phillybluegrass.com

A nonprofit project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia.