The spring festival season is in full force, and it’s already time to make plans to attend IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Week in Nashville, Tenn., scheduled for September 24-October 1.              

IBMA leadership continues to take into consideration the hundreds of comments and suggestions received from attendees of last year’s events, and we’ve made some minor adjustments to the schedule.  The well-received interactive, facilitated discussion format will continue with many of our seminars this year.  The hugely popular Gig Fair will expand 15 minutes, with more event producers represented.  Popular schedule features like DJ Taping Sessions, Mentor Sessions, Song Demo Listening Sessions and the valuable Crash Course for Artists will continue. 

The Exhibit Hall will be enlarged even further from last year, and the Exhibit Hall day stage will continue.  “IBMA After Hours” showcases will be centrally located at the Nashville Convention Center.  Fan Fest stages and the Exhibit Hall will wrap up on Saturday night instead of Sunday afternoon this year, with the interdenominational Bluegrass Chapel offered on Sunday morning, followed by some bluegrass gospel music.  Our post-awards reception has been discontinued.

We also plan to step up signage everywhere, including directions to seminars, the exhibit hall, Fan Fest stages and designated jamming areas.  After an attendance growth spurt of 21% at last year’s World of Bluegrass events, we’re excited about moving forward with renewed energy and mapping out industry goals for the future, along with continuing to honor our past traditions.  You’ll not want to miss World of Bluegrass 2006! 

Registration and ticket information for all events will be mailed and available online at www.ibma.org in late May.  We will start selling tickets and registrations on June 1, 2006.

World of Bluegrass 2006

Monday, Sept. 25

Noon-1 pm: Orientation (all attendees) 

1:15-3 pm: Seminars (5)

1:15-5 pm: Crash Course for Artists

3-6 pm: Exposition Hall Open

6:15-7:45 pm: Keynote Address & Dinner

7:45-10:45 pm: Artist Showcases (6)

11 pm-2 am: “After Hours” Private Showcases & Jam Sessions

Tuesday, Sept. 26

10-11:45 a.m.: Seminars (5)

1-2:15 p.m.: IBMA Constituent Meetings

2:30-6:30 p.m.: Exhibit Hall Open

2:45-3:45 p.m.: Seminars (5)

4-6:30 pm: Songwriter Showcase

8-10:30 pm: Artist Showcases (5)

10:45 pm-2 am: IBMA “After Hours” Private Showcases & Jam Sessions

Wednesday, Sept. 27

8:30-10:45 a.m.: Gig Fair

9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Golf Tournament

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Showcase Brunch

1-5 p.m.: Health Fair, hosted by MusiCares

1:30-6:30 pm: Exposition Hall Open

1:30-3:30 p.m. Seminars (5)

4-6 p.m.: Mentor Sessions

5-7 p.m.: DJ Taping Session

8-10:30 pm: Artist Showcases (5)

10:45 pm-2 am: “After Hours” Showcases & Jam Sessions

Thursday, Sept. 28

9-10:30 a.m.: Town Hall Membership Meeting

11 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Special Awards Luncheon

1:30-5 p.m.: Exposition Hall Open

3-5 pm: Song Demo Listening Sessions (2)

8-10:30 p.m.: International Bluegrass Music Awards*

Friday, Sept. 29

10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.: Exhibit Hall Open

11 am-11:30 pm: Bluegrass Fan Fest

11:30-2 am: “After Hours” Showcases & Jam Sessions 

Saturday, Sept. 30

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: “Utilizing American Roots Music—Bluegrass, in the Classroom” Teachers Workshop

10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.: Exhibit Hall Open

11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Bluegrass Fan Fest

11 p.m.-2 a.m: “After Hours” Showcases & Jam Sessions 

Sunday, Oct. 1

9-11:30 a.m.: Bluegrass Chapel (non-denominational) & Gospel Show

*Separate Ticketing Required For Certain Events.

ALL TIMES AND FUNCTIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

All times listed: Central Time