Festival Team
No festival runs without the power of volunteers. The team of the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival consists of about 50 volunteers who do everything to make the festival even better and more enjoyable.
Guido de Groot
Role:
Director, initiator, and Square Resident.
Favorite bluegrass moment:
The Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival is successful for me when we can let as many different visitors as possible enjoy the best Bluegrass artists, unique musical collaborations, and special fringe programming such as theater, workshops, talent contests, jam area, and much more! All these elements make the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival unique in the Dutch Festival landscape, and of course, I'm proud of that!
Daira Visch
As a programmer of neighborhood and city projects, I am the point of contact for the festival's collaborative partners. For example, we have a school project and we give music and art workshops at various neighborhood and welfare organizations. I am also the point of contact for projects that take place in the city (such as film, talent show, etc.) and for our social ticketing system.
Favorite bluegrass moment: There are quite a few....enjoying the music of Morgan O'Kane in the pouring rain with the audience in the dome at Pijnackerplein, ending the evening with Gangstergrass, a great performance by Della Mae, going wild at King Salami & the Cumberland 3. But also the performances of the school band, the theater show of Cosmo and Bobje, going to the toilet with the nicest toilet ladies of Dixieland, children helping out during the festival, seeing the construction and all the beautiful artwork of the decor appear, the (unique) visitors who come, the equally unique volunteers who come to help, the crossover that is programmed, tapping beers during the festival, the night program in the cafes, there are so many favorite moments... and all this in 1 weekend!
Britte Kramer
Role: Marketing & Communication Coordinator
Favorite bluegrass moment: The spontaneous final show of the toilet attendants + a number of toilet visitors after the festival Saturday in 2024, and all the moments when there was a summer shower. Funny enough, that does something to the festival: people dance even harder, look even happier, seek each other out even more. Pure euphoria - especially in 2024, with La Perra Blanco on stage. Musically, Scott H. Biram carved the deepest grooves in my memory, with his performance in the cozy Whiskybase tent on a sultry summer evening in 2023. That man kept surprising, and everyone around him seemed to feel: wow, we're just experiencing this live together.
Gijs van de Burgt
Role:
I've been on board as a press promoter of the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival since this year, in which role I try to generate attention for the festival in the media. I also write all the texts for the website. To be able to do this for a festival that I fully support and with a super nice team, that gives me a lot of satisfaction.
Favorite bluegrass moment:
The show of Herman Brock Jr., one of the artists I work for as a booker and press promoter (see www.harvestmusic.nl), at the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival in 2015 under a delightful summer sun with a cold pint in my hand is still very vivid and with great pleasure in mind. But undoubtedly, new highlights will be created this year.
Donna Svasek
Role:
I am the volunteer coordinator and ensure that all volunteers, during setup, teardown, and during the festival, are in the right place at the right time. Together we make sure the volunteers have a good time, but if they unexpectedly encounter something, I'm their first point of contact, because without all our volunteers, the festival wouldn't be the festival. I also organize the pre- and after-party for our amazing volunteers and crew.
Favorite bluegrass moment:
The moments when all those different people completely let loose to their favorite band.
Eddie Kuijpers
Role:
Technical producer / production
Favorite bluegrass moment:
My son Bor who, five years ago as a three-year-old boy, marched through the crowd. The friendliness of the festival allows that, and that's and will remain fantastic.
Anne Valk
Role:
I handle all practical matters concerning the artists. During the festival, I ensure that the artists lack nothing and that they are on stage on time to give a great show!
Favorite bluegrass moment:
My favorite Bluegrass moment was the show of Scott H. Biram. Of all the artists who came, I looked forward to that the most, and since then, I've been a fan!
Lennard Kruithof
Role:
With my company, Prik! Media, I work for multiple festivals. So when Guido asked me if I wanted to do the graphic design for the RBF, it was a no-brainer. I have a great passion for music, and how amazing is it to combine that with your work? This year, I had the opportunity to give the festival a fresh new visual look, and I hope we can move forward with this together in the coming years!
Favorite bluegrass moment:
Still in the making!
Mario Dirks
Role:
I am an intern with the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival organization, where I handle a variety of tasks such as marketing, event organization, and team support. My main responsibility is organizing Wintergrass, a special event within the festival. I also collaborate closely with the team and assist them as needed. During the festival, I will serve as the backstage manager. It's a valuable and diverse learning experience.
Favorite bluegrass moment:
My most memorable Bluegrass moment was during the 2024 edition when I had the opportunity to assist the bands. This was an incredible experience, not just because I got to work closely with the artists, but also because I had meaningful conversations with inspiring people like Riley Baugus. Dancing with the artists was another moment I’ll never forget. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of the festival deeply touched me and truly resonates with who I am. That feeling of togetherness and joy, combined with the beautiful music, makes it an unforgettable experience for me.
Shelley Rickey
Role: Festival Decor Design & Construction
Favorite (Ridiculous!) RBF Moment:
Our chef at the time, Norbert, found a very sad-looking plant by the trash one morning during setup. He placed it next to the stage, and throughout the day, the plant somehow became part of the party. It was picked up by the crowd, posed for photos, and even joined in the dancing.
Later that evening, during the peak of JD Wilkes’ set, a man in a wheelchair was lifted onto the stage by the crowd—with the plant on his lap! The plant had the time of its life.
The following year, the plant was even drawn on the festival flyer and ceremoniously brought back to the stage with a small fanfare, starting a new tradition. Sadly, the plant passed away during COVID.
RIP Plant. You really knew how to party!
Jan van Kampenhout
Role: Coordinator of Merchandise and Information Desk, and Decorator.
Favorite Bluegrass moments: When my daughters help out and brainstorm at the stall, the interaction with the audience, discovering new music, meeting friends, and… actually too many to name!
Niek Nellen
Role:
Hi, I'm Niek Nellen, and I (together with colleagues behind the scenes of Afdeling Online) do online marketing for the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival.
Favorite bluegrass moment:
My favorite musician is Joanna Newsom.
Favorite bluegrass drink:
A ginger beer (with or without alcohol, depends on the time).
