Bluegrass Packs the House

WAITSBURG – Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Project's (TVAMP) Feb. 13 "Bluegrass at the Plaza" fundraiser was a huge success, according to Director Kate Hockersmith. Bluegrass fans packed the historic Plaza Theater, and TVAMP raised $1,713 between ticket sales and the silent auction.

Only a few seats remained empty in the theater, and Hockersmith said she was left wondering how many years it has been since The Plaza was that full. "If it hadn't been so foggy in Walla Walla, I'm thinking it may have been standing-room-only. The music was great fun and ran until 9:30," she said. Participating bands included Rock, Salt & Nails; The Kuykendall Family; Switchgrass; and Kate & The Bluegrass Gentleman. "Our friend Jack Lyman stopped by on his way to Ellensburg and sang a couple of tunes, too," said Hockersmith.

The silent auction was also a big hit and included jewelry, art lessons, a two-night stay at the Shaffer Carriage House in Waitsburg, wine, movie-night baskets, great photographs and more, said Hockersmith. "The people of Waitsburg have been so incredibly supportive of the TVAMP Bluegrass Kids," she said.

Funds will be used to allow TVAMP students to see talented musicians in action. Younger group members will attend The Lomax Project at Walla Walla's Powerhouse Theater on Feb. 28, and high school students will attend the Wintergrass Music Festival in Bellevue that same weekend. "Seeing live music can be a powerful inspiration for young musicians," said Hockersmith.