30th annual Bluegrass Marathon, 3-5 Sept. 2010

Text and photos by Lilly Pavlak

In the south-west of the Czech Republic, near the German border, the second oldest European festival, Bluegrass Marathon, started last weekend (3–5 September 2010). I wanted to go there at least for the last fifteen years and finally made it. One of the last white spots on my Czech bluegrass map disappeared.

Bluegrass Village Borovany welcomes you

Borovany is a small village near Tachov, at the end of a road, with population about fifty. Each year for the first September weekend, multiply ten times the number of its inhabitants and it turns into a real bluegrass village. An inimitable atmosphere reigns there. Most people know each other and have been coming there for years, and the few new faces feel here at home soon. The event is located around two old farms and their farmhouses. The former old cultural house is available in case of rain.

MC Jerry Sterba

In the last thirty years almost all Czech bands have played here. The only one that had participated every year since the beginning is the cult band COP. The 30th festival started Friday already, with local bands such as Carrabina, Twisted Timber, Fryda & Co., Apple, Chval Brothers Quintet, High Grass, and Jam Station. Jam sessions took place around the clock, everywhere. That’s why it is called BG Marathon...


I arrived Saturday noon; short before the first band, Veget, came on stage. On the afternoon program stand bands like Flashback, Kvintet, Handl, Bluegrass Cwrkot, Album, and the New Section – Nova Sekce.


Flashback



Kvintet

Bluegrass Cwrkot

The farmhouse





The rain came with Album

Beware of bad women

Blue Ground on stage

The evening started with the modern American country band Blue Ground, whose members came originally from different bluegrass bands, like Vabank Unit, Cop, and so on.

Soldier's joy





Modrotisk

Wyrton you had the opportunity to see at EWOB (Holland) or La Roche (France); Modrotisk – another legendary band.




The only 'foreign' band was Grass Country (above) from Slovakia, also no strangers to the most of you.

Brzdari

Last two were the traditional beautifully singing Brzdari (the Breakmen) and Blue Gate with the female leader and bass player Ilona Leichtova.

Jam in the farmhouse

Many jam sessions followed. Till the dawn and some even till the noon.











The audience for the Sunday programme

COP from Pilsen, for the 30th time on the festival stage



Cop with Robert Krestan

New this year was the Sunday double concert with the two most successful bands, Cop and Druha Trava, who play lately often together. That was for many the festival highlight and a lot of extra people came for this. The area was quite full. Cop started with their old hits and audience was singing along. As guest came Robert Krestan on stage and they sang together 'White horses'.







Robert Krestan & Druha Trava

Then Robert Krestan & Druha Trava played their set and as guests Jirka Vopava and Misa Leicht (the frontman of COP) sang together with Druha Trava. At the grand finale both bands performed together. An unforgettable experience!

Double banjo: Lubos Malina and Martin Fridrich

Misa Leicht and Druha Trava

Robert Krestan & Druha Trava

Jirka Vopava and Robert Krestan

The grand finale: COP and Druha Trava

... and the festival was over!

Many encores followed and after more then three hours the concert was over. It was a phenomenal festival. I was very pleased to make it finally there!

Thanks to all promoters, sponsors, all the performing musicians, who played there just for travel money and all the people of Borovany, the Bluegrass Village. Hope to be able to come back again next year!