Warwick The blossoms are blooming in the orchard at the Warwick Valley Winery, and it’s time for the 4th Annual Apple Blossom Bluegrass Festival. The festival will be hosted by Suzy Arnowitz and Mike Baglione from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21. Music and wine will be flowing throughout the afternoon in the orchard’s natural amphitheater, a hand-crafted outdoor stage. Although anticipating sunshine and blue skies, tents will be provided for shade or unexpected inclement weather. When asked to describe bluegrass music, Arnowitz said, “Bluegrass is a genre of music reminiscent of simpler times. Think rolling pastures, fiddles and banjos making a joyous sound, dancing barefoot in a meadow, picnicking on your grandmother’s quilt. It’s also music coming from the working class, helping us face our present day worries, sung with traditional high-lonesome vocals that pierce your heart. It can be sad and joyful at the same time.” Performances will be offered by the bands Tin Roof, Mike Burns and Northcountry, Steve Lutke and Appalachian Uprising, McMule, James Reams and the Barnstormers, Straight Drive, Steve Toth and Rippling River, Wickers Creek, and a new opening band at noon. For the daily band line-up, visit www.bigcowmusic.com/abbf.html. Tin Roof, the festival’s house band, will be performing classic and original songs on both Saturday and Sunday. The band was featured this April on NPR’s radio show “Dancing on Air” with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. For many, the image of a tin roof evokes a unique feeling of home comfort. The feeling aptly applies to the music of Tin Roof, as the roof heats up. Mike Burns of Northcountry hails from Purdys, N.Y., and has been a winner of numerous awards for his songwriting talents at Merlefest, and the International Bluegrass Music Association awards show in Kentucky. Both Lutke of Appalachian Uprising, and McMule, refer to their bluegrass style as “newgrass” - stretching the limits of bluegrass. Lutke’s banjo picking style incorporates a myriad of influences ranging from Earl Scruggs to pianist George Winston, while McMule funks it up a bit with a twist of folk and blues, energizing the audience with their electrified performance and harmonies. Originally from southeastern Kentucky, James Reams has been playing traditional bluegrass music with an old-time edge in New York City since the early 1980s. His group is a crowd-pleaser, giving exciting and soulful performances with powerful three-part harmonies and “straight-up, no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners bluegrass.” Straight Drive’s name comes from the type of music they play: straight bluegrass, with plenty of drive. In a time where much of bluegrass music has veered towards the more polished and commercial sounds of “Music Row,” the group keeps its identity grounded in the grit and intensity of the classic, first generation performers of bluegrass music. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine described Steve Toth as “One of the unsung masters of the Dobro few can match his abilities.” His band features traditional and contemporary bluegrass, including many original tunes as well as classic and current favorites. Instrumentals are heavily featured, including Dobro tunes not often performed by other bands. The Wickers Creek Band, from nearby Westchester County, plays traditional American string band music while respecting the history and tradition surrounding the origins of old-time and bluegrass music. As visitors listen to the best bluegrass bands, they can sip Doc’s Famous Hard Cider and wine, or indulge in the culinary delights from the winery’s bakery and cafe. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on (no coolers). A raffle will be held for Arnowitz’s homemade quilt. Live alpacas, and the wares from Rock Ridge Alpacas of Chester, will be available for viewing. Admission is $15 per day for adults, and free for children five and under. The winery is located at 114 Little York Road in Warwick. For more information, visit www.wvwinery.com or call 258-4858.