We learned that moonshine is basically un-aged whiskey/scotch and when it comes out of the still, it’s still hot!  Initially over 150 proof, the ‘moonshine’ is  processed and made to a tastier 85 proof before being bottled and sold.  Here’s a picture of the band by the still:

Liz Lawrence was overly aggressive when trying to grab that sample glass, but Bob and Kirsten were much faster! Andy had no chance

Seriously though, if you are looking for a wedding venue in central New Hampshire, do yourself a favor and check out this place. It’s a hidden gem.  The 125 acre vineyard was formerly a dairy farm and is a bit off the beaten path.  The catering is done onsite and Christine Falbe the events coordinator is excellent.

Ms. Mair is regarded by her peers as one of the foremost players — and scholars — of the mandolin, a member of the lute family that features four pairs of strings on a frame roughly half the size of an acoustic guitar. The instrument is most commonly associated with bluegrass music, one of the few styles Ms. Mair doesn’t play.

Andy had the opportunity to meet and study with Marilyn a few years ago at Cape Cod Mandolin Camp in Sandwich.  Marilyn is an amazing musician and wonderful person.

Event: “Weird Al” Yankovic- The Alpocalypse Tour
Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012
Time: 7:30 PM

Buy Your Tickets Now!
Purchase Tickets by Phone: (978) 454-2299
Pricing: $59.75/ $39.75

Besides being the founder and owner of Root Note Studios (a private music lesson service, managed by Liz Lawrence, and based out of Lowell, MA). Liz performs with a number of regional bands and nationally touring acts.

Starting this month:

Portsmouth Singer/Songwriter Festival, April 20 – 22, 2012, Portsmouth Music Hall Historic Theatre and the Loft, http://www.themusichall.org/calendar/program/portsmouth_singer_songwriter_festival call box office at 603-436-2400. Features Merle Haggard, Rosanne Cash and many more!!

New England Folk Festival April 20 -22, 2012,Mansfield, MA www.neffa.org

Bluegrass on the Bogs, May 18 – 20, 2012 Jellystone Cape Cod at Maple Park 290 Glen Charlie Rd., East Wareham, MA 02538, call 508-280-4825 www.capecodjellystone.com 508-295-4945

Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival, May 31-June 1-2-3, 2012 (Preston City, CT) www.strawberryparkcampground.com WUMB Music Festival, UMass, Boston, June 3, 2012, noon – 7 PM, call 617-287-6911 M-F 10 AM – 4 PM, http://wumbmusicfest.org

Seacoast Irish Festival, June 2012, date TBA, Dover, NH www.seacoastirishfestival.org

Bluegrass on the Farm Festival, June 12, Halifax, MA, info: 781-336-9711

Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival, June 14-17, 2012, Litchfield, ME www.blisteredfingers.com

Somersworth International Children’s Festival, Somersworth, NH, June TBA, http://www.nhfestivals.org/

Acton Bluegrass Festival Car Show & BBQ Cook-off, June 16, 2012 Noon to 10:00 pm 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton, MA 978-929-6640 $10

Maine Blues Festival, Naples, June 17, www.mainebluesfestival.com/

Jenny Brook Family Bluegrass Festival June 20 – 24, 2012, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, VT www.jennybrookfestival.com/

Granite State Music Festival June 22-23, 2012, a two day, non camping, non-profit festival held in Concord, New Hampshire June 23-24, 2012. Thirty-odd bands, 1,500 fans and two days of live, local music on the bank of the Merrimack River. http://granitestatemusicfest.org/

Old Songs Festival, June 22-23-24, 2012, Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY 518-765-2815 www.oldsongs.org/festival

Madrid Bluegrass River Festival, June 22-23-24, 2012, Community Center Park, Madrid, NY 315-322-4093 madridbluegrassriverfestival.com

New Bedford (MA) Summerfest, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 6, 7, 8, 2012; http://www.newbedfordsummerfest.com/

Prescott Park Concert Series, includes Americana, Jazz, Folk, Country, Rhythm and Roots and Kids Fest. No 2012 updates at this time – check out http://prescottpark.org Mineral Springs

Footstomping Festival, July 7-8, 2012 Stafford Springs, CT www.mineralspringscampground.com

Basin Bluegrass Festival July 12-15, 2012, 91 Charberry Lane, Brandon, VT www.basinbluegrassfestival.com. More info – call (802) 247-3275. After July 4, 2009- call (802) 236-1096

Connecticut Americana Music Festival, July 14, 2012, Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty Street, Chester, CT 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm 860-526-4777 $15

North Atlantic Blues Festival, Rockland, ME, July 14-15, 2012, www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com Whites Beach Bluegrass Festival, July 20-22, Brunswick, ME, For more info or advance ticket: Whites Beach and Campground, PO Box 696, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Phone 207-729-0415 info@whitesbeachandcampground.com

Maine Celtic Celebration, July 20 – 22, 2012, Belfast, ME, http://www.mainecelticcelebration.com/

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival, Saturday, July 21, 2011, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Look Park, North Hampton, MA, www.glasgowlands.org

Ossippee Valley Music Festival, July 26-29, 2012, S. Hiram, ME, Info: Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Association, P.O. Box 593, S. Hiram, Maine 04020. Phone 207 625-8656. www.ossipeevalley.com/

Lowell Folk Festival, July 27-29, Lowell, MA, 978-970-5000, www.lowellfolkfestival.org/

Lake Paran Bluegrass Festival - July 27-28-29, 2012 Lake Paran Entrance Rd off Houghton Lane, N. Bennington, VT 802-447-7959

The Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival, The new location is the Benton family’s Sugar Shack Campground in Thornton, NH. August 2 – 5, 2012 For info: Pemi Valley Productions, P.O. Box 1320, Campton NH 03223. For information, call (603) 726-3471 or email admin@pemivalleybluegrass.com

Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival - August 2-3-4-5, 2012 Dodd Stadium, 14 Stott Avenue, Norwich, CT www.podunkbluegrass.net

Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival, returning 2013, none this year, Alburg, VT, Info: Please visit our web page at www.lakechamplainmusic.com or call 802-482-7766 or info@lakechamplainmusic.com

Saddleback Mountain Bluegrass Festival, August 10-11, 2012, Saddleback, ME info: http://www.saddlebackmaine.com/bluegrass Line up includes the McCourys, Sam Bush and more.

Wachusett Valley Folk Festival, Wachusett Village Inn, Westminster, MA, August 19, 2012, www.wachusettmusic.com/wachusett-valley-folk-festival/

Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival, August 23-26, 2012, Litchfield, ME, email: blist-f@blisteredfingers.com

The American Folk Festival, Bangor, ME, August 24-26, 2012, Only $10 a day!, www.americanfolkfestival.com/

Essex Music Festival August 25, 2012 (Essex, MA) http://www.essexmusicfestival.com/

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Special, August 30-31, Sept. 1-2, 2012 Brunswick, ME www.thomaspointbeach.com/special

Babb’s Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 8, 2012 Babb’s Park, 434 Babb’s Road, West Suffield, CT 06093. 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Art Sorensen at (860) 844-8526

NH Highland Games, Loon Mountain, Sept. 21-23, 2012, www.nhscot.org Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, Sept. 29-30, 2012, www.newenglandfolknetwork.org/pmff

Beantown Jazz Festival, Boston, MA, Sept 29, 2012, 617-747-8601, http://beantownjazz.org/about.html

Park Slope Old Time Bluegrass Jamboree. Sept 28-29, 2012 at 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn NY reamsjames@earthlink.net

Nutmeg Dulcimer Festival, Oct. 26-27, 2012, United Methodist Church On the Green in Milford, CT www.nutmegdulcimer.com/ 203-661-0503