On the first Sunday of each month, you can find many musicians and music fans at the Lee Civic Center.

You’ll even see “parking lot pickers.”

The popular monthly Bluegrass Festivals are held on the first Sunday of each month, with the next event scheduled for Sunday, April 5. The event is sponsored by the Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida.

Area favorite bands set to perform include Bill Metts, Borrowed Time, South of Dixie, Telegraph Creek and a “special mystery guest.”

“These are good home time local bands,” said the society’s Bob Shea.

“They’re great entertainers. They’ll just plug into their hometown feeling.”

Bands will play from 2 to 5 p.m.

“There’s always a host of bluegrass bands, usually four, and acoustic music performers who take the stage. We play outside and inside during the summer,” he said.

In April, the society plans on playing outside and invites patrons to bring their lawn chairs and sit back and listen to the music.

“Leave your woes behind,” continued Shea. “We’re growing, which is strange in this economy. It’s inexpensive entertainment, $6 per show or $25 annually and kids under 16 free.”

Check the Web site for details.

The bands aren’t the only draw.

“It’s a very interactive event,” he said. “Last month they had about 30 jammers perform – different musicians who are like a pilot fish on the shark and you will always have parking lot pickers. Sometimes they perform on stage, but these were under the oak trees, They have a good time playing and stand in various circles, migrating from circle to circle where they talk and play.”

The April event has something new.

“We’re doing a pilot program this month, Contra dancers. It’s like square dancing,” he said.

There will be a caller and people can learn the steps. The Contra dance will be held from from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Shea said Contra enthusiast Gail Keel has spread the word to the Contra dance community throughout South Florida and has assembled a caller, musicians and dancers for the experienced and beginners.

The events have been a great experience for musicians and patrons alike, said Shea.

“It’s sharing of music. It’s fellowship.”

Shea is one of the musicians.

“Seven years ago my father was passing away and we had hospice at the house, and we had a guitar laying around the house. I started noodling with it,” he said.

He soon leaned toward bluegrass.

“I heard about about bluegrass – it was old-time Appalachian music, then I went to a flea market in Bonita Springs where they hold weekly jams, then I learned from the masters of bluegrass,” he said. “I emulated the works of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers.”

Those he met encouraged him to play.

“They made me get up on stage and I thank them for that,” Shea continued. “I was hooked. I had played with Larry Wilson, a local good musician at the Lee Civic Center. He brought my awareness to the center.”

He now plays with a band called The Fleas.

“We play hard-driving bluegrass, old and new grass,” he said. “We play Naples, Southwest Florida, anywhere we can go.”

There is also upcoming radio shows.

“The Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida will air with Amy Tardif on Gulf Coast Live (WGCU 90.1 FM) Thursday, April 2, at noon and April 5 at 11 a.m., a special program,” She said. “We recorded a great broadcast that included historical jewels from Dick Spottswood, information about our regional bands and the venues that host bluegrass and acoustic music.

“The five Fleas (Karen, Leslie, Bob, Stephen and Doug) took no prisoners. We all had a nice time and hope that the process will encourage folks in the community to continue to support live music. We are also contemplating ways to encourage WGCU to include Bluegrass in its program schedule,” he continued.

“The folks on the board of directors at the Acoustic Music Society are once again pleased to provide our audience with the finest music in the region. We are looking to the future and have arranged some very special talent to play in the upcoming months.’

To view happenings, go to acousticmusicsociety.com.

The society is always looking for members and musicians. To contact the group, e-mail Shea at ams5958@aol.com.

To attend the event, just show up on the day of the show.