Opens September 11th, 2025

As a special way of marking Hardly Strictly Bluegrass's anniversary, the Haight Street Art Center is pleased to present The Big Twang! Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25, a special exhibition opening on September 11 and running through October 12, 2025. Highlights of the exhibition include HSB founder Warren Hellman’s rhinestone jacket (made for him by his granddaughter Laurel Hellman in 2011), as well as his beloved banjo; key posters from HSB concerts over the years (a number of which have been signed by scores of performers); the festival’s famous penny machine; and dozens of photographs capturing faces in the crowd by documentary photographer and filmmaker Lizzy Myers.

HSB is also celebrating its anniversary with the release of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!, a stunning book of photography and essays. The book captures the sights and soul of the renowned festival in Golden Gate Park through the lenses of Jay Blakesberg and many other talented photographers. Featuring a heartfelt foreword by Emmylou Harris and an afterword by Steve Earle, the book also includes interviews and essays by Aidin Vaziri, Frances Dinkelspiel, Sylvie Simmons, and Tricia Hellman Gibbs.

"For the first time in our history, we have decided to put together a book to share the memories we have made for the past 25 years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass”, said Avery Hellman, Creative Director of the book. “We spent months collecting our favorite photographs of performances and candid moments to share with our audience. This book really tells the story of our unique place in the world of live music; it is guaranteed to delight you, and revive any forgotten memories of HSB."

As a companion to the exhibition, on September 20, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will co-host a special book launch event with the Haight Street Art Center featuring live-music by Yoseff Tucker to celebrate the publication of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang! View more information and free registration info HERE.