United Way Bluegrass Benefit

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courtesy SpareTime Bluegrass

The five members of SpareTime Bluegrass and instruments.

SpareTime Bluegrass

The annual fundraising tradition of celebrating warm sounds on a (usually) cold day continues. This year’s concert features bands of the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association — including Soggy Prairie (4 p.m.), They Talk TOO Much with the Silent Partners (3:15 p.m.), David Landau (2:45 p.m.), SpareTime Bluegrass Band (2 p.m.) and Cork ’n Bottle String Band (1 p.m.). This is a family-friendly event, so why not introduce the kiddos to some authentic, down-home, feel-good music?

media release: Bluegrass enthusiasts will celebrate community with live, local music on Sunday, February 15, 2026 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the 25th Annual United Way Bluegrass Benefit at the Barrymore Theatre. The show features bands of the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association, Inc. with support by Sugar Maple Music Festival, WORT-89.9 FM and Isthmus. Audrey Martinovich and Stephanie Benicek of Audio for the Arts provide sound and recording services.

“Whenever you meet a friend, or help a neighbor, or assist a stranger…you build a better community. Community and family well-being are what United Way is all about,” explains Dave Kinney, an Oscar Mayer retiree and bluegrass fan who founded the annual benefit concert with musician Bob Batyko. Kinney was a United Way Loaned Executive for 12 community fundraising campaigns and remains a dedicated donor and volunteer. Batyko is liaison to the bands and will again play with two acts at this year’s show.

The annual event began as a family-friendly, neighborly and inexpensive activity and has continued to offer bluegrass fans, families and United Way advocates that opportunity. Tickets are available at the door on the day of the show. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12 and a maximum of $20 per family. Kids under age 5 are admitted for free.

Box Office: 11:30 PM | Doors: 12:00 PM

Cork ‘n Bottle String Band: 1:00 PM

SpareTime Bluegrass Band: 2:00 PM

David Landau: 2:45 PM

They Talk TOO Much with the Silent Partners: 3:15 PM

Soggy Prairie: 4:00 PM

Adult: $10

Children Ages 5 – 12: $5.00

Family: $20.00

^{(Children ages 5 and under receive free entry)}