Festival welcomes old friends, new favorites

SANDPOINT — The Festival at Sandpoint celebrates its 28th annual summer concert series, Aug. 5-15, with eight nights of eclectic music under the stars, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille.

The season line-up welcomes back some favorite Festival artists who have performed to sell-out crowds over the past 10 years, including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Keb’ Mo’, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Natalie MacMaster. The star studded alumni are complemented by new musical guests who are creating their own sensation across the nation, Brandi Carlile and Michael Franti & Spearhead — who are amongst the most requested Festival artists — as well as up-and-comers Kristina Train, Crooked Still, and other talented opening acts.

Thursday, Aug. 5, Opening Night — The Festival’s summer concert series literally swings into action with the multi-platinum selling neo-swing hipsters Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Since their arrival on the music scene in 1993, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s irresistible live show has proven them to be the singular standout among the numerous bands that launched the ’90s swing revival.

They exploded onto the forefront of the music world in 1996 when their exuberant style was immortalized in the indie film landmark “Swingers” with hits “You and Me and a Bottle Make Three (Tonight)” and “Go Daddy-O.” They have played the White House, the Orange and Super Bowls, The Tonight and Late Shows, mixing energetic originals with souped-up versions of older classics. Their eighth studio album, How Big Can You Get? A Tribute to Cab Calloway, captures the essence of an American icon in a rowdy celebration of musicianship, mischief, genius, street smarts and fun. The popular local band, Tennis, will open the show. The Festival’s traditional red-carpet welcome and complimentary glass of champagne for every Festival fan that evening will add to the exciting Opening Night festivities.

All tickets are $34.95, concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 6 — The Festival welcomes rising star Brandi Carlile. Carlile’s roots are in country music, including the undeniable influence of Patsy Cline, but branched out when she became a fan of rock, folk and pop artists like Elton John, who is now one of her biggest fans and duets with the alt-country-folk-rock darling on her song “Caroline” from her latest album, Give Up The Ghost.

After forming a band with twin brothers, Tim and Phil Hanseroth, and debuting with her self-titled album in 2005, the Washington state-bred Carlile saw her fanbase mushroom with her sophomore disc, The Story in 2007, boasting songs like the title track and “Turpentine.” Several of Carlile’s songs have appeared in commercials and on televisions shows such as Grey’s Anatomy. Along the way, she has toured with the likes of Ray LaMontagne, and Sheryl Crow, who raved about Carlile’s performances: “She has the most amazing voice I may have ever heard. Soulful. Country. Perfect in every way-and propelled by taste.”

Opening the evening is fellow Northwest artist Ian McFeron, who weaves together a variety of roots-Americana styles to create his own unique blend, inspiring his listeners with his sincere poetic verse and beautifully crafted songs ranging from acoustic folk-rock and gritty alt-country blues to heartfelt, soulful ballads and driving, danceable backbeat grooves. All tickets are $34.95, concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 7 — The Festival presents “Super Blues Saturday” starring sensational blues man Keb’ Mo’. The singer-songwriter and guitarist with an uplifting style of contemporary blues was one of the most memorable Festival experiences of the past decade and The Festival is thrilled to welcome Mo’ back to Memorial Field for an encore performance.

In 1994 Keb’ Mo’ released his first, self-titled album which won the coveted W.C. Handy Blues Award. Since then, he is a three-time Grammy winner for Contemporary Blues Album and was Grammy nominated for Country Song of the Year for “I Hope” a co-write with the Dixie Chicks that appears on their latest album. He combines an earthy, acoustic-leaning blues, with a melodic pop-folk style — a distinctive vision that showcases his warm personality and graceful musicianship.

Born Kevin Moore in South Los Angeles to parents originally from the deep south, he started playing the guitar at age 12 and became Keb’ Mo’ as a young player immersed in the music and history of the blues, inspired by the force of this essential African-American Legacy. Mo’ is a living link to the seminal Delta blues, who has embraced multiple eras and genres, evolving into a writer and performer who communicates with absolute authenticity, heart to heart.

The evening also features newly-discovered vocal powerhouse Kristina Train, whose sunny, easygoing demeanor and youthful good looks belie the heart-wrenching power of her voice. Her timeless appeal stems from a childhood spent away from television and pop music, and instead immersed in violin and ballet lessons, listening to classical music, opera, jazz and the blues, before her initial discovery by a major label at age 19. Her Blue Note debut, Spilt Milk, is urbane, soulful and lush, built on a foundation of classic and deeply felt southern soul. All tickets are $44.95. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m and the music starts at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 8 — The Festival’s Family Concert promises to be a day of musical fun for the young and young at heart. “Peter and the Wolf” will feature the Spokane Youth Orchestra and Sandpoint’s Studio One Dancers. The concert, led by Maestro Gary Sheldon and KPBX Music Director Verne Windham, aims to entertain and educate. Favorite pre-concert activities include the Instrument Petting Zoo — where kids can try various instruments on for size — clowns, face painting, games galore and the popular Parents’ Corner where moms and dads can take a break for a complimentary mini-massage. All tickets are only $5 and activities begin when the gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 12 — The second week of The Festival takes off with virtuoso Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster, one of Canada’s most captivating performers who first wowed Sandpoint audiences at sold out POAC performance at the Panida Theater followed by a must-see appearance at the 2005 Festival at Sandpoint. Ever since, Festival fans have been waiting for the triumphant return of the Celtic songstress to Sandpoint.

The niece of famed Cape Breton fiddler Buddy MacMaster, and now wife of fiddle phenomenon Donnell Leahy, she picked up the instrument at the age of nine and quickly became a major talent in her own right. After winning numerous East Coast Music Awards for her early traditional Cape Breton recordings, she began taking Celtic music to new heights with albums like In My Hands, which featured elements of jazz, Latin music and guest vocals by Allison Krauss, who soon became a friend and mentor, and inspired her to combine bluegrass and Celtic influences evidenced on her album Blueprint with guests from the cream of America’s bluegrass community.

She also remains true to tradition with releases like My Roots Are Showing, which earned her a Grammy Nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album. She has been honored with several Juno Awards and Canadian Country Music Awards for Fiddler of the Year. And then, there’s the dancing, which she accomplishes with amazing dexterity - all the while flawlessly playing jigs, breakdowns and reels.

MacMaster is joined by her fellow countrymen The Turtle Duhks, a collective of three young Canadian musicians — Jordan McConnell and Leonard Podolak of The Duhks and Lydia Garrison of Turtle Island Dream — who play together with the goal of connecting with each other and their audience. Their music is rooted firmly in the tradition of Appalachia, and is performed with the groove and drive of rock ‘n roll, Celtic music, jazz and funk. There is a complimentary microbrew tasting prior to the concert, starting when the gates open at 6: p.m. for ticket holders over the age of 21. All tickets are $29.95, concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 13 — Lucky us! Friday the 13th marks the much anticipated appearance of Michael Franti and Spearhead at The Festival at Sandpoint. Michael Franti is a very big man who has always dared to say very big things through his joyous and passionate music during an unusually diverse and highly impressive 20-year career.

The Bay Area-born Franti, has evolved from the early influences of Bob Marley, The Clash, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, through phases of punk rock and political rap to embrace his joyful and meaningful modern soul music with Spearhead. Their most recent release, All Rebel Rockers and its first single, “Say Hey (I Love You)” is fast becoming one of the biggest of Franti’s career, as one of the most added records at multiple radio formats. Yet, perhaps what’s most impressive about Michael Franti as a recording artist and live performer is his ability to inspire.

Franti’s performances today are marked by a genuine openheartedness, a commitment to communication and a greater sense of community. “The people who come to see us seem to love the experience of the party as well as the message and the music. Increasingly over my life, I have less interest in being part of the fighting between parties. I’m interested in bringing people together…As a musician and a man, I more than anything else want to be a unifier. We need everybody,” Franti explains. “So that’s who I play music for — everybody.”

Prepare to take a funky ride with The Pimps of Joytime as they open this joyous evening of music. The “PJT’s” live events and recordings have captivated fans all across the country with their charismatic and soulful vibe, blending afrobeat, salsa, rock ‘n roll and electronica, all presented with an undeniable swagger, poised to bring their “audacious sound to savvy audiences around the planet.” All tickets are $44.95, concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Note: This is a dance concert and The Festival venue will be configured differently for this evening to allow for increased dancing area in front of the stage. There will still be adequate sections for blankets, low chairs, high chairs and reserved patron and sponsor seating, as well as seated availability in the grandstands. The Dance Venue Map can be viewed online at FestivalatSandpoint.com.

Saturday, Aug. 14 — Super Country Saturday stars  favorite Festival alumni (from 1999 and 2002) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The band formed in Southern California during the spring of 1966 as a scruffy, young jug band, and 42 years later, the quartet (Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter and John McEuen) is still going strong with their special blend of country music infused with pop, rock and bluegrass.

With more than 30 albums under their belt, NGDB’s love of traditional American music explores all sorts of musical roots and has always accentuated the diversity of the band and celebrated the life and love of the common man. They cemented their place in music history with their “Circle” albums, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volumes I, II & III which brought together the legends and budding newcomers of the country music world for unforgettable Grammy, International Bluegrass Music Association and Country Music Association Award winning collaborations.

Over the years they have constantly reinvented themselves with a string of hits that have erased the lines of musical definition. “Mr. Bojangles” was their first hit to make the Top 10 Pop Charts while “Dance Little Jean” and the #1 “Long Hard Road” began a string of 17 consecutive Top 10 Country hits. Pop hits like “Make a Little Magic” and “American Dream” cemented their status as hugely successful crossover artists. With a career that spans five decades, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has gone from a hippie jug-band to pioneers of country rock, and their influence is still being felt today. We can’t wait to welcome them back to Sandpoint!

Opening the evening, Crooked Still is the hot young alternative bluegrass group on a mission to bend the boundaries of traditional music. The unlikely combination of banjo, cello, fiddle, double bass and vocals are equal parts ambassador and innovator of the nu-folk, bluegrass movement. Their new album Some Strange Country, with special guest vocalists Ricky Skaggs, Tim O’Brien, Sarah Jarosz and Annelisa Tornfelt, will be featured by NPR on their website, www.npr.org, from May 10th -18th as part of their Exclusive First Listen series, where you can stream the entire album online. All tickets to Super Country Saturday are $39.95. Gates will open at 4:30pm and the music starts at 6:30pm.

Sunday, Aug. 15 — The Festival season culminates with the Grand Finale Concert: Russian Masterpieces and features the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gary Sheldon, and special guest piano soloist Archie Chen.

The all-Russian program features Kabelevsky’s Dance of the Comedians Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise and Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini featuring the charismatic, commanding pianist Archie Chen, a Spokane native with top national and international credentials who now makes his home in Ireland. A fireworks finale, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, made possible by Avista Utilities, will close the The Festival at Sandpoint’s 28th annual season in spectacular fashion.

This concert also serves as part of The Festival’s 5th Grade Music Outreach Program, an educational mission that takes place in all Bonner County and Boundary County elementary schools this month. Each fifth grader receives complimentary tickets for themselves and two family members to attend a symphonic Festival concert. The recipient of the Festival’s Coldwater Creek Music Scholarship will perform at Intermission, and the winning bidder of the original 2010 poster artwork by Carver Kearney will be announced. Gates open early at 4:30 p.m. for the annual “Taste of the Stars” Wine Tasting featuring premier wineries of the Northwest and an art auction presented by Timberstand Gallery. The wine tasting is complimentary for all concert goers over the age of 21 years. Concert tickets are $34.95 for adults, $9.95 for youth 0-18 years.

“What a season it will be! By popular demand we are bringing back some of the favorite sell-out acts from the past ten years, joined by the top requested new artists. This stellar line-up and lower ticket prices is the ultimate winning combination for Festival Fans in 2010. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Memorial Field. I suggest buying tickets early because I predict more sold-out shows than ever this year!”

Individual tickets to all shows are available and go on sale starting Friday, May 14, at 9:00 AM in The Festival at Sandpoint Office in the Old Power House, 120 E. Lake St., Suite 207 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Phone orders may be placed by calling the Festival Office locally (208) 265-4554 or toll free (888) 265-4554. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover cards, personal checks and cash are accepted. Tickets are also sold at all TicketsWest locations, or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT. Tickets are also available for purchase online at the Festival’s secure website: www.FestivalAtSandpoint.com.