David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis, Evie Lauden Band, Hot Tuna (electric), Joan Baez, and the Waybacks (with Sarah Dougas from The Duhks) are among the locals, and of course questions remain about H-S booking more Bay Area bands.  HWS has the answer direct from the Slim’s folks who book H-S.  It’s not that they don’t want to book more locals, there simply isn’t room when they’ve got world-class performers like Randy Newman, Nick Lowe and others like Iris DeMent and John Prine, both of whom could not return this year, lined up five deep to play H-S.  What’s a poor booker to do?

What’s a poor participant to do when he or she wants to see so much, but is limited by personal stamina and the inability to be in two places at once?  The following Hicks with Sticks Hardly-Strictly tips might help.  First, do not plan so many must-see shows over so many stages over two and a half days that you run yourself ragged.  Doing so is a formula for regret rather than entertainment.  When you get to a must-see show that’s crowded, be patient.  The edge of a crowd is surprisingly fluid and it won’t be long before you can inch up, maybe not to the front of the stage, but at least to where you can see and hear.  Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids, enjoy the moment and thank your stars for letting you live where philanthropists like Warren Hellman live.

Find the H-S map, schedule and band bio PDF’s here.

Hardly Strictly Festival 2009

The free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 9 fest comes to Golden Gate Park this weekend and here are some tips on this year’s line-up.  As for the bands, it’s all good, so even if you arrive early and park on a blanket in front of a single stage all day, you will be entertained. Going on Friday is especially good for blanket parking since only one stage at a time is in use. Bring a kid to the Star stage for the 10:30-12:30 shows where MC Hammer, who has built quite a reputation as a children’s entertainer, will get the youngsters shakin’.   And/or, plan for the Banjo stage from 2:00-7:00 for Poor Man’s Whiskey, Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, John Prine, and Lyle Lovett & His Large Band. Saturday and Sunday will be packed with talent and people, so if you’re roaming rather than parking, check the Hardly-Strictly schedule and pick a route.  One Saturday route can include Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands (Banjo, 11:10am), slipping away a little early or arriving a little late for Buddy Miller at the new stage (Towers of Gold, 11:45),  Austin Lounge Lizards (Arrow, 1:05),  Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women (Star, 2:30),  songwriter circle with Tom Morello, Dar Williams, Steve Earle & Allison Moorer (Rooster, 3:45),  Nick Lowe (Star, 4:40), and again split some time between Nick Lowe and Rosie Flores with Jon Langford and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts (Arrow, 5:00), then Steve Earle & The Bluegrass Dukes (Banjo, 6:45). Next HWS recommends having dinner at Minh’s, an excellent, inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant one block from the Plough and Stars on nearby Clement where Belle Monroe & her Brewglass Boys/Shut-Ins/Gayle Lynn & her Hired Hands play at 9pm. Go home, pass out, then… Sunday’s route can include 11:00am Marley’s Ghost with Special Guest Cowboy Jack Clement (Towers of Gold, 11:00), Booker T. & the Drive-By Truckers (Arrow, 12:15), Doc Watson & David Holt (Banjo, 1:25), and a Rooster grand slam with Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue (Rooster, 2:45), Mavis Staples (Rooster, 4:00),  The Knitters (Rooster, 5:30),  and Old Crow Medicine Show (Rooster , 7:00).  Then get some dinner, cross town and see John Doe & The Sadies/The Brothers Comatose at Annie’s Social Club. Then go home, pass out, report to work on Monday in a daze… yet again.