It's a festival of fun as summer music series arrives in town
SANDPOINT — The big news this week is The Festival at Sandpoint’s first week of shows, starting tonight with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Walk Off the Earth on Friday — with our own Shook Twins opening! — Jackson Browne’s sold-out show on Saturday and the Family Concert on Sunday.
Be sure to leave some fun time for the Long Bridge Swim, the Kalispel Powwow, the PRCA Rodeo at the fairgrounds, the walking tour of historic Sandpoint, a free concert coming up from the Swing Street Big Band, the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s Summer Orchestra Concert and so much more.
Here’s the skinny:
Thursday, Aug. 1
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Venue: The Festival at Sandpoint, Memorial Field, Ontario St., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
It’s the kick off for Sandpoint’s 37th annual summer concert series with their special brand of folk, Americana and vintage rhythm and blues. Missouri-bred, Denver-based front man Nathaniel Rateliff has always been an omnivorous listener and player of music who started his career in his family’s band at church in Hermann, Mo. Nearly throwing in the towel after a long on-and-off solo career, Rateliff garnered attention with the Night Sweats, the soulful R & B combo he formed in 2013.
Opening band: Lucius
Admission $59.95
Tickets available at: 208-265-4554 or 1-800-325-SEAT
Bright Moments
Venue: Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 6-9 p.m.
When this Sandpoint ensemble takes the stage, you can always expect great tunes and good times.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Friday, Aug. 2
Walk Off the Earth
Venue: The Festival at Sandpoint, Memorial Field, Ontario St., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
One part folk-pop, one part sketch group, and one part quickly musical experimenters, this Canadian band formed in 2006 in Burlington, Ontario, became a sensation on YouTube and set the concert scene on fire with their dynamic live shows. Made up of multi-instrumentalists, the band has become known for its innovative cover songs, which feature group members trading instruments with one another mid-song or elaborate one-take performances where the song is built piece by piece by a single member playing every instrument.
Opening band: Sandpoint’s own — The Shook Twins!
Admission $44.95
Tickets available at: 208-265-4554 or 1-800-325-SEAT
MCS Summer Orchestra Concert
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 2 p.m.
This is the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s end of camp Summer Orchestra performance.
Admission: $10 adults, $5 students, available at the box office or online at panida.org
PRCA Rodeo
Venue: Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Ave., in Sandpoint
Time: Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Bonner County Fairgrounds hosts the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo - an exciting event inspired by the western traditions that demonstrate cowboy and cowgirl skills. This family-friendly rodeo offers great entertainment and fun for all ages!
Tickets & Information: bonnercountyfair.com
Zach Cooper Band
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
Enjoy music with Coeur d’Alene drumming legend Zach Cooper, who built a superstar band around himself to offer an experience you won’t forget.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Mike & Shanna Thompson
Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Always superb music from this couple!
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Saturday, Aug. 3
Jackson Browne
Venue: The Festival at Sandpoint, Memorial Field, Ontario St., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
It doesn’t get any better than this Rock and Roll and Songwriting Hall of Fame legend playing the music you love with his full band on the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille!
Starting his career in 1966 as a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Browne soon ventured out on his own becoming an iconic member of the prolific class of California singer-songwriters of the 1970s.
Admission: $79.95. This show is sold out.
Long Bridge Swim
Venue: Long Bridge over Lake Pend Oreille.
Time: 25th annual race starts at the south end of the bridge at 9 a.m.
Hundreds compete in a 1.76-mile swim across Lake Pend Oreille during 25th annual event.
Information: longbridgeswim.org or call 208-265-2615.
Sandpoint Historic Walking Tour.
Venue: Meet outside the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 10 a.m.
Step back in time with a Walking Tour of historic downtown Sandpoint. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes and is free, but donations are welcome! Hosted by the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission.
Information: rshea@sandpointidaho.gov or call 208-946-2087
PRCA Rodeo
Venue: Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Ave., in Sandpoint
Time: Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Bonner County Fairgrounds hosts the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo - an exciting event inspired by the western traditions that demonstrate cowboy and cowgirl skills. This family-friendly rodeo offers great entertainment and fun for all ages!
Tickets & Information: bonnercountyfair.com
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale
Venue: East Bonner County Library, 1407 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
If you’re in the market for some great deals on all manner of reading material, this is the place to be!
Information: 208-263-6930
Kalispel Tribe 44th Annual Powwow Celebration
Venue: Kalispel Indian Reservation Powwow Grounds (across the Pend Oreille River from Usk, Wash., about 15 miles north of Newport).
Time: Buffalo Barbecue at 11 a.m.; Grand Entry at 1 and 7 p.m.
It’s the best Native gathering in the region! Open to all peoples to attend and economically competitive for Native dancers and stick game tournament players, with food and craft vendors offering their wares.
First Free Saturday
Venue: Bonner County History Museum, 611 S. Ella Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join your friends at The Museum for a day of soaking up our rich local and regional history. The museum is always filled with fascinating exhibits, so this is a great chance to check them out if you haven’t already.
Admission: Free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of local sponsors.
Information: 208-263-2344
Truck Mills & Carl Rey
Venue: Sandpoint Farmers Market, Farmin Park, Third Ave. & Oak St., downtown Sandpoint.
Time: Market starts at 9 a.m., music from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
It’s shaping up to be a perfect day at the Market, with ever-more local produce to choose from, great artisan work, tasty food and the sounds of these fine musicians.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Joan Zen Band
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
Joan Zen has been wooing Bitterroot music fans for years and now she brings her six-piece funky-soul and reggae dance band to The Niner.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Justin Lantrip
Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Sunday, Aug. 4
Family Concert
Venue: The Festival at Sandpoint, Memorial Field, Ontario St., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 2:30 p.m., show starts at 5 p.m.
Musical fun for the young and young at heart! The Festival presents its Family Concert, featuring The Festival Community Orchestra and Studio One Dancers. Favorite pre-concert activities include the Instrument Petting Zoo where kids can try out various instruments with guidance from musical mentors, an animal petting zoo, clowns, face painting, games galore and the popular Parents’ Corner where moms and dads can take a break from the chaos for a complimentary mini-massage.
Admission: $6
Tickets available at 208-265-4554 or 1-800-325-SEAT
Pianist Annie Welle
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301, Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Annie Welle is a local, talented Jazz pianist. Classically trained, and playing since she was four, Welle now performs solo jazz, improvisations, original works, and the standards — Fats Waller, Gershwin, Cole Porter and pieces that will have you thinking you’re listening to Miles Davis or Chet Baker.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Monday, Aug. 5
Swing Street Big Band Concert
Venue: Lakeview Park, (by the museum) on Ontario St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 6 p.m.
The 17-piece Swing Street Big Band performs great instrumental favorites and listeners will be treated to the vocal stylings of local artist Maria Larson. Also featured will be accordion virtuoso Steve Filippini. And as a highlight of the performance, the band welcomes Max Curto — who has traveled all the way from London — to sing with the band. His vocals are compared with such artists as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Bring a lawn chair.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Truck Mills Blues Jam
Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St.,
in Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Tuesday, Aug. 6
Bonner Mall Seniors Day
Venue: Bonner Mall, U.S. Highway 95, in Ponderay.
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Come walk the mall, followed by a featured speaker or entertainment, free refreshments, games and a drawing.
Information: 208-263-4272
Night-Out Karaoke
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
Sing to your heart’s content with DJ Webrix, or just enjoy the show.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Wednesday, Aug. 7
Ian Gaddie
Venue: Sandpoint Farmers Market, Farmin Park, Third & Main, in Sandpoint.
Time: 3-5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Benny Baker, Ali Thomas & Sheldon Packwood
Venue: Connie’s Café, 323 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
Truck Mills & Tito Huizar
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Sandpoint musician Truck Mills and guest musician Bruce Bishop, who entertain with great blues, folk, gospel and jazz.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.