VietNamNet Bridge – Della Mae, a Grammy-nominated bluegrass band from Nashville, Tennessee, will stage performances in HCMC and Hue from April 23 to May 2.

An album’s cover of American band Della Mae - Photo: Website of DELLA MAE

Hosted by the U.S. consulate general in HCMC, the band’s Vietnam tour will feature free concerts, master classes and outreach events in both cities. This is among a series of events that promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between people in the two countries.

The band was set up in Boston, MA in 2009 to address the lack of all-female bands on the national touring scene. Since then, they have toured over 200 days a year in 24 countries, earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s “Top ten artists you need to know” list, and in 2013, received a Grammy nomination for “Best bluegrass album of the year” with their debut album This World Oft Can Be.

In May 2015, they released their sophomore album Della Mae, which has been hailed by The Telegraph as one of the “Best Country Albums of 2015” and has earned a spot on the Americana Music Association’s “Top 100 Albums of 2015.”

Della Mae’s live performances combine original songwriting with instrumental prowess and potent emotional delivery. The group consists of Celia Woodsmith (vocalist), Jenni Lyn Gardner (mandolinist), Courtney Hartman (guitarist/banjo artist), Zoe Guigueno (bassist), and the band’s founder, Kimber Ludiker (violinist). The band also serves as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Department of State.

The show in HCMC will take place at Lan Anh Club, 291 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, District 10 on April 27 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will also feature singer Van Mai Huong, and admission to the performance is free. However, recipients will be selected by lottery. Those selected will receive emails with detailed information about the place and time to pick up the tickets by 11 a.m. on April 22.

There are other two free concerts on April 30 at 8 p.m. at Tay Thai Hoa Palace and on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. at An Dinh Palace in Hue on the occasion of the Hue Festival 2016 which takes place from April 29 to May 4.

The band will also attend a press conference on April 25 with local media at the American Center in HCMC’s District 1.

SGT