Washington, D.C. — On May 17 and 18, 2025 (1-5 pm) President Lincoln’s Cottage will host its rollicking fundraiser: Bourbon & Bluegrass, an annual nod to Abraham Lincoln’s Kentucky roots.
This year is the tenth anniversary of a festival that has become such a fan-favorite that it was named Best Music Festival in DC in the 2024 City Paper’s ‘Best of the City’ Readers-Choice Awards. With the unfortunate discontinuation of the Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival and the Charm City Bluegrass, it is a rare opportunity for people in the DMV to gather and listen to the strums and beats of an iconic American genre.
The tenth anniversary of a special festival calls for a special line up. The headliner, who will perform distinct sets each day, will be Swamp Dogg, the original D-O-Double-G, who has been developing a cult following with his radical, soulful music since the 1950’s. His recent album, Blackgrass, was heralded by NPR as one of 2024’s finest country albums, and a documentary on his life, Swamp Dogg gets his Pool Painted, is set for theatrical release next month.
On Saturday, the festival will kick off with a performance by Goldbug Revival, a DC-based Indie Folk band performing their 100% original award-winning songs. (Oh, and their day jobs include curing sickle cell disease, discovering inflammatory diseases, and developing tests for parasitic brain worms at the NIH). The eclectic Appalachian songster Dori Freeman will follow, singing stories of motherhood, modernity, and her Blue Ridge roots in a way that both builds on and plays with the bluegrass genre.
Sunday’s performance will be opened by Hubby Jenkins, who dazzled last year’s festivalgoers with his Grammy-nominated old timey music. In addition to his solo career, he was a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Rhiannon Giddens band. Jenkins will be followed by Martha Spencer & the Wonderland Band, whose vibrant performances include washboards, dulcimers, and even traditional flatfoot clogging!
“We cannot wait to experience the multifaceted talent at the ten-year anniversary of Bourbon & Bluegrass,” said CEO & Executive Director Callie Hawkins. “Each of these artists gives a unique perspective on the American story, and we are thrilled to be able to help amplify their voices in the DMV area.”
The Cottage team encourages the public to come a little early to the festival to join our second annual Log Cabin Jam Session hosted by Will Sears of Goldbug Revival, “Whether you are a musician or a singer, we invite you to join the jam, which will take place at 12:00pm, before the festival officially begins,” said Hawkins.
In addition to the music, there will be local food trucks, historic preservation tours between sets, lawn games, and more. Delicious bourbon provided by Schneider’s of Capitol Hill and Prestige Ledroit Distributing Company will complete specialty cocktails provided by RSVP Catering, and there will be alcohol-free options for teetotalers (like Abraham Lincoln).
All proceeds from the event will support the preservation of Lincoln’s beloved summer residence.
“We believe that music is a balm, and DC could use a little more of that spirit right now!” said Hawkins. “Music creates connection, and connection is what our work at the Cottage is all about. We hope our neighbors will take some time to relax and join us for a day of the festival—or better yet, both!”
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