Brooklyn Bluegrass Bash to Benefit Old First Reformed Church

When big pieces of plaster came falling down from the ceiling at Old First Reformed Church on Carroll Street in Sept. 2011, a big, expensive bill fell along with it.

The ceiling’s restoration was estimated to be a half a million dollars to $800,000. For the story of Old First, Congregation Beth Elohim and the two crumbling sanctuaries, click here. In order to help continue to raise funds to repair the 60-foot ceiling, the 4th Mission is presenting the Brooklyn Bluegrass Bash on Sunday, Sept. 23 at The Bell House.    

On Sunday, from 3 to 7 p.m., the biggest names in bluegrass will preform at the Seventh Street venue, all to put a roof over one of the oldest congregations in the borough, 347 years and counting.

Actor Peter Sarsgaard will emcee the folk event and introduce famous bluegrass musicians like Tony Trischka, who was nominated for a Grammy in 2007 for Double Banjo Spectacular, Kenny Kosek on the fiddle and Jen Larson on vocals.

Andy Statman, who recently won the National Heritage Award — the country’s highest honor for a folk musician — will play a set with his trio.

The night will continue with the younger folk artists like Chris Thile, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers; Aofie O’Donovan of Crooked Still and Goat Rodeo; Kristin Andreassen of Uncle Earl; and the event’s organizer Michael Daves, whose album with Thile was nominated for a Grammy this year.

Tickets for the event have been sold out. 

Brooklyn Bluegrass Bash, Sept. 23, from 3 to 7 p.m. at The Bell House, 149 7th St Brooklyn.