Members/Jams around Grand Forks, North Dakota

[dawgmike94]

Hey all, I graduate college in the spring and will be headed to graduate school in the fall (English literature, if anyone's interested). One the places I seem to be leaning the heaviest towards is the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. I live in Southeastern KY right now, and have no idea if there is any kind of mandolin scene up in those cold and snowy parts. I don't know a soul up there. So is anyone on here from around there or have any idea if there's any mandolin-favorable music being played in the area? Bluegrass, old-time, or even some Celtic trad? I guess there's probably some folk or country players who would accept me and my eight-string, but I was wondering specifically if there is any group of pickers that would already be familiar with mandolin music. Anyway, thanks in advance for the input.

[Mandobart]

I'm in that area right now - it's where my wife is from and we are here for a funeral. Really nice folks but I would consider the climate before making a decision on school. Winters are bitter. Summers are hot, muggy and buggy. Not a big bluegrass scene; pop country rules here. But with UND in Grand Forks and NDSU in Fargo there are a lot of college kids who may go for something different.

[dawgmike94]

Thanks for the info, Mandobart. I noticed a blizzard warning today for Western ND, safe to say winters would be a complete change from what I'm used to here in the Bluegrass, but I think the change would be interesting, to say the least. And there are no mountains and not many trees, from what I understand!! But I'm thinking of leaving the South, not because I don't like it or anything, I love it, but I'd like a fresh perspective on myself and how I understand myself in relation to my place in the world. So as far as music, I do hope that maybe a few folks I meet at school and in those circles will be familiar with at least some singer-songwriter stuff, and would be open to mandolin. But I'm sad to hear that there's not much of a BG presence. Oh well, I'll have to bring it with me, if I come. The decision will probably hinge on some more important factors anyhow -- $$$ and cents mostly. But thanks very much for the response.