User:Guffens/kladblok/Ewob

The European World of Bluegrass Festival is an annually held 3 day event which had been initially held in 1998 in the town of Lichtenvoorde Netherlands, and is now being held annually in the town of Voorthuizen, Netherlands. This festival is held in either the month of May or June, during the “Ascension day”, Christian religious holiday. The festival normally begins on a Thursday and ends on a Saturday night the same weekend. Every year musicians from countries in Europe and around the world travel to meet and perform. During the festival about 50 bands or 200 musicians perform. Every year this attracks about 500 to 600 visitors.

Format of the festival / Design
During the bluegrassfestival there are stage performances that take place in the public room of the building 't Trefpunt. The best bluegrassbands from Europe participate in a battle to win The European bluegrassbandaward. The musicians from the festival bring a vote to determine who is the winner of the year. Het public also vote to determine who gave the best performance.

Parallel to the festival day workshops dealing with bluegrass and performed by renowned European and / or American bluegrass musicians. There are also activities and workshops for Children of all ages as EWOB strives to be a well oriented family Bluegrass event as well.

Near the location is a camping which can be used. The Camping itself is located on a sports field adjacent to the main Bluegrass festival. The camping is equipped with good sanitary facilities, with hot running water for showering, free parking. EWOB supplies it’s attendees with around the clock first aid volunteers, security and a transportation system.

History
In the year 1995 a group of people throughout Europe, started a network called European Bluegrass Network (EBN) bears. The task of this network was and is to coordinate activities across the Bluegrass State borders. Pretty soon it became clear that a European bluegrass festival was needed. In line with the wishes of EBN in the Netherlands a group of volunteers who then resurrected in 1998 organized the first festival. EBN then developed further so that in 2001 became an association with statutes, a board and paying members. Thus, the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA) was born. European World of Bluegrass was organized by members of the board of EBMA and the festival in the Netherlands, EWOB festival was conducted under the umbrella of EBMA to 2010. In 2011, the festival in the Netherlands EWOB an independent organization and one of the founders of the Festival EBMA Network (EFN).

The mission of EBMA states working together to bluegrass music and support each other across national borders. EBMA also wants to promote sharing and enjoy Bluegrass and spread it across national borders (regional or national), with bands, fans, musicians, organizations that support professionals and everything related to Bluegrass. The organization is nonprofit and is run professionally. It aims to more people in Europe interested and involved in bluegrass and bluegrass music enhances the image. stated objectives are achieved by holding annual meetings, maintaining a website as the primary means of communication and contacts between European bluegrass people (networks).

Remarks of bluegrassmusic
The bluegrass music is played with acoustic string instruments. The instruments that are used in line with the tradition are bluegrassbanjo, mandoline, guitar, violin, dobro en double bass. Besides these instruments the voice is a key element to make this kinde of musix.

Bluegrass in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands there is a relative small group approximately 2000 active and/or passive busy with bluegrassmusic. The EWOB festival in Voorthuizen has the function of being the most important public event in the country. In june van 2011 the 14th festival in a row was realised. Thsi festival sets an example for many local 'Picking Parties' organised through the year.

Bluegrass international
Bluegrass is originally from Northern America. Therfore the main language is English. Among others a few big names in the world of Bluegrass are Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs en Lester Flatt.

In Europe there is a chain of Bluegrass festivals. An overview is made by EBMA in 2011 kan be found here.

External link

 * Official Website European World of Bluegrass Nederland

Source
EBMA European Bluegrass Music Association.