5:30 • No Cover • $10 - $20 suggested donation for the performers

Gary Ferguson • Ira Gitlin

Gary is an acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work bridges bluegrass, country, and Americana. A winner of the 2015 DCBU Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest and a finalist at MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, Gary has toured widely across the U.S. and Europe. His credits include work with Knoxville Grass, Donna Fargo, Claire Lynch, and John Starling, and his song “Southern Train” was featured at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass.

Gary performs with East of Monroe, The Hula Monsters, and Ferguson & Ferguson, whose EP Some Bridges features Ron Stewart and Mark Schatz. A true multi-instrumentalist, he brings guitar, mandolin, and bass to life with authenticity and range.

Ira is a 1992 National Bluegrass Banjo Champion, multiple Wammie winner, and a cornerstone of the DC roots scene. While grounded in bluegrass, his playing spans western swing, country, jazz, blues, and early rock ’n’ roll. Ira has performed and recorded extensively and is a sought-after collaborator and teacher, appearing with acts like Big Howdy, The Oklahoma Twisters, and Karen Collins & the Backroads Band.

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