The West Side Theatre is launching their new Bluegrass Series with performances by The Sisters Grim Band and Red Dog Ash on Jan. 24.
The Sisters Grim is a newly formed band out of Bakersfield. Though young, the band brings a plethora of experience and talent to the stage.
Angelica Grim is the band’s lead vocalist and she also plays guitar. She began her singing career at a young age alongside her musician father. As a teenager she was named the California Bluegrass Association first Teen Ambassador and served on their Talent Advisory Committee. In 2009 she released her first CD, “Look for Me.”
Joining Angelica Grim is her sister Christine Grim, who has been playing fiddle and guitar with her family since she was a young child. She has performed alongside a variety of musicians on the West Coast and abroad.
The sisters expanded their musical act when they each married a musician. Angelica Grim married TJ Doerfel, who has been playing banjo for 17 years. He toured the country for seven years as part of his family band, The Doerfels. In 2008, he won the Maryland State Banjo competition.
Christine Grim married Joe Ash, a guitarist who has been playing since he was 9 years old. He has previously performed with Lost Highway, The Brothers Barton, Pacific Crest, and Ron Spear and Within Tradition.
Completing the band is bassist Larisa Pilatti, who previously performed with Joe’s Tenthouse Revival.
Opening for The Sisters Grim will be local bluegrass performers Red Dog Ash, who will also be hosting the bluegrass series.
The band, which gets its name from the byproduct of uncontrolled coal fires, is made up of banjo player Dixon Smith; Gary Vessel on mandolin; bass player Elijah Arrigotti; and Jason Winfree on lead guitar.
The Central Valley transplants have found their muse in the Valley’s landscape and people. The group writes the majority of their own songs and even replicates the bluegrass tradition of choreographing their playing around a single microphone.
The bluegrass series will feature a new bluegrass artist each month through May.
Tickets for the show are $12 general admission and $15 reserved. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Jan. 24.
For tickets visit www.westsidetheatre.org, info@westsidetheatre.org or call 862-4490.
