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Thursday
& Saturday
9:15pm (M)
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FLOWMOTION -
Seattle, WA
MySpace - Rock / Funk / Rock
“This is primo melodic rock…with hair on its chest.” –JamBase.com
FLOWMOTION is a name well known in the Seattle live music scene and becoming increasingly familiar up and down the West Coast, yet largely unheard of throughout much of the country. The band has managed to remain in the “best-kept-secret” vault of the live music scene, all the while honing a live show that often exceeds the size of the stage they might find themselves performing on. A FLOWMOTION show is a swooping ride through the fingers of rock fueled solely on the expert musicianship of its five parts, producing a sound that’s unmistakably huge. |
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Friday 10:30pm (M)
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JACKIE
GREENE -
San Francisco, CA
MySpace - Americana / Rock / Indie
IT'S possible, but hardly common, for a singer-songwriter to sound echoes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Gram Parsons, Elvis Costello and Paul Westerberg, all of which Jackie Greene does on his fifth album. The hard part, which Greene seems to pull off so effortlessly, is triggering those echoes without sacrificing an authentic voice of his own.
LA Times
ROOTSY SINGER/SONGWRITER ON THE VERGE OF HITTING MAINSTREAM ACCEPTANCE
While it's undeniable that the record business can be cruel and cold, and it spits out some of its best while lesser talents rise to the top, there are certain artists who just seem destined to make it, who have that elusive, can't-miss X factor. Like Jackie Greene, whose latest release, Giving Up the Ghost, has critics and fans alike (again) predicting stardom for the talented Northern California native. Mix Online |
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Sunday 9:40pm (M)
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THE EVERYONE ORCHESTRA is a revolving cast of stellar musicians brought together by drummer/conductor Matt Butler for concerts, festival super jams and special benefit events. EO performances are designed to create space for each performer's musical personality to shine, engage the audience as participants in the jam and to facilitate a massive celebratory coming together featuring a conductor directing both musicians and audience alike in interactive, lively, and highly danceable movements. Meltdown Everyone Orchestra will feature Michael Kang of the String Cheese Incident with future artists to be announced.
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Saturday 6:35pm (M)
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TONY
FURTADO BAND -
Portland, OR
MySpace Folk Rock / Americana / Acoustic
Furtado is an extremely skilled musician with a riveting voice who blends rock music with elements of Americana, folk, and pop. His musical reach is broad enough to resonate with fans of Ry Cooder, The Band, Bruce Spring- steen, CCR, Bela Fleck and Tom Petty, among others. His extremely impressive, furious slide guitar skills and 25+ years of banjo experience will blow away the musicos; for the lovers of a story in a song, Furtado has a few tales to tell; and to those who are looking for a performance, get ready to be captivated, charmed, and entertained. |
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Sunday 7:10pm (M)
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Oregon
Art Beat describes the band: “March Fourth is
Oregon's favorite marching band, complete with fire dancers,
stilt walkers, and a great horn section. They've captured the
hearts of thousands of Oregonians who have seen their spectacular
fun-filled performances.”
March Fourth Marching Band was voted “Best Portland Band” in
the Willamette Week Best of Portland 2004 Reader’s Poll.
Maybe it’s because our band is bigger than everyone else’s
so we win if we vote for ourselves, or maybe it’s the
infectious energy of our colorful group. We like to think the
latter, and everyone in the band swears they didn’t even
vote! Check out the links to see what else the media has to
say about us.
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Friday 12:15am (G)
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BLVD -
San Francisco, CA
MySpace Electro / Hip Hop / Breakbeat
2008 was a dizzying blur of firsts and foremosts for the San Fran based band BLVD. While whipping up crowds across the US with their fresh urban sounds this four-piece has positioned itself as a new champion of the burgeoning live electronic movement. The fallout of BLVD's blitz on premier west coast festivals in '08 (High Sierra Music Festival, Earthdance, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Lightning in a Bottle, Shambhala, etc) led to several licensing deals with Victoria’s Secret, AOL, CBS, and MTV. The band dropped its full length release, Music For People, last summer and toured heavily as the album garnered critical acclaim remaining in the CMJ for 6 weeks, leading BLVD to be named to the "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists" of 2008 by Music Connection Magazine. The group topped the year off with a show stealing set at Sea of Dreams, the largest indoor NYE event in the US, alongside Thievery Corporation and Bassnectar. |
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Friday 7:35pm (M)
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When you first hear Vicci Martinez sing, you know immediately
that you could be in the presence of somebody great. Vicci
may be 24 years old, but she writes, sings and plays guitar
with the touch of a veteran. Vicci is an acoustic-based singer/songwriter
with a passionate voice, profound lyrics and incendiary live
performances. The Tacoma native is growing a grass roots following
and critical acclaim with her contagious live performances
throughout the Northwest and beyond. |
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Saturday 1:00am ( T )
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LAB - San Francisco, CA
MySpace - Rock / Pop / Jam
LAB is a fortified ALO side project featuring Dan “Lebo’ Lebowitz
on guitar and vocals, Steve Adams on bass and vocals and Dave
Brogan on drums and vocals. LAB’s sound is influenced by the
classic American soundscape from roots rock to bluesy jazz
with a hint of 70's disco. LAB will concoct an unforgettable
set of music of ALO classics, new songs from each musician
and timeless cover tunes. |
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Saturday 8:05pm (G)
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FIVE
ALARM FUNK -
Vancouver BC Canada
MySpace - Funk / Afro-beat / Latin
Five Alarm Funk is Vancouver's own afro-funk orchestra. For more than four years the band has brought their relentless grooves to clubs and major festivals across Western Canada. Intense horn lines and percolating afro-beat guitar combined with the interplay of four percussionists create an unstoppable dance party.
The 11-piece phenomenon has performed over 120 shows throughout Western Canada, sharing stages with such artists as Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Herbaliser, Sly & Robbie, Fishbone and Xavier Rudd. In the process the band has built an enthusiastic fan base, large enough to twice fill the Commodore with over 900 fans in 2007. |
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Thursday 10:30pm ( T )
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Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the iconic panda is
endearing yet fierce. It’s this double edge sword the
band keeps sharp and ready. Seattle’s Panda Conspiracy
draws from a worldly music archive intermingled with post-grunge.
Stunning melodies set upon ferocious rhythms keep crowds stirring.
Lyrically introspective but optimistic like a beam of light
in the night sky, the Panda Conspiracy produces incredible
live shows that leave you wanting more. |
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Friday 1:15am ( T )
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ACORN
PROJECT -
Bellingham, WA
MySpace Rock / Progressive / Funk
As a six-piece ensemble featuring saxophone, guitar, slide, keyboards, bass, drums, and percussion, Acorn Project produces an irresistibly unique sound. The band’s funk-infused progressive rock draws an audience inward with their performance, never letting go until each individual has been infected with their ability to blend seemingly limitless musical styles into their own character. |
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Friday 6:15pm (G)
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Fronted by brothers Ben Mish, a piano phenom with a blue-eyed soul voice and a raucous attitude, and Will Mish, a guitar wizard who has earned critical nods for his unfathomable talent and innate sense of melody and blues, and flanked by Irish-born multi-talented rhythm guitarist Ronan O'Mahony, a childhood friend and co-songwriter, and the inimitable stick-man Andrew Cloutier on drums, Left Hand Smoke brews up a blend of neo-soul and rock that is steeped in tradition, yet entirely original and fresh. |
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Thursday 7:45pm (M)
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ON
THE ONE - San Diego, CA
MySpace Funk / Jazz / Soul
San Diego Music Award Winners for Best Jazz Album (2007), ON THE ONE walks alongside live acts Karl Denson Trio and the Greyboy All-Stars when it comes to export music from America's finest city. Drum King John Staten (Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe) teamed up with long time friend and sax aficionado Jesse Molloy (Giant People) to create ON THE ONE in the summer of ‘06. Bassist Andy Irvine (Giant People) and the recent addition of guitarist Pete Lombardo, square this funky soul rock quartet. With music industry heavy hitters calling him one of the best drummers in the business, Staten’s hard hitting hip-hop beats drive ON THE ONE’s sound. Saxophone, groove bass, and effortless guitar team up to bring generations of music lovers to the dance floor. Don’t miss this funky experience. |
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Friday 5:00pm (M)
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APHRODESIA -
San
Francisco, CA
MySpace Afro-beat / Experimental / Funk
Though they've been pegged as part of the current Afrobeat revival, San
Francisco's Aphrodesia go beyond that. Yes, their music is full of the
same sort of interlocking guitars, uninhibited horns and layered percussion
found in the pioneering work of the late legendary Fela Kuti and bands
like Antibalas who superbly carry on his legacy. They also have a fancy
for highlife, makossa, Caribbean rhythms, celebratory vocals and other
touches that enhance the combination of African grooves, James Brown-ish
funk, freeform solos and lengthy running times that have largely characterized
Afrobeat up to now. |
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Sunday 5:55pm (G)
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IZABELLA-
Bay Area, CA
MySpace Rock / Soul / Roots Music
Izabella is a dance-inspired rock and soul band hailing from the Bay Area. This six-piece family of musical explorers is avowed for producing danceable, dynamic grooves. Izabella's live performances exude joy and inspiration for all in attendance. Their unique blend of fist-pumping guitar, funked-out keys, poly-rhythmic beats, and impassioned vocals is unparalleled in the genre.
Since its inception in Fall 2006, and after hitting the road full-time in 2008, Izabella has performed well over 200 gigs, including some key performances at summer festivals: High Sierra, 4 Peaks, Las Tortugas and Bobolink. This solid tour schedule combined with an elevated level of stage and light production has helped Izabella garner various accolades, including the Jambands.com title, “New Groove of the Month” back in August 2008. |
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Saturday 5:20pm (G)
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BIG
LIGHT -
San Francisco, CA
MySpace Rock / Psychedelic / Indie
Since instantly materializing on the SF club circuit in the
fall of 2007, Big Light has undergone change after change in
an effort to staff the band properly and achieve the cohesive
sound that Big Light's songwriter, vocalist and guitarist -
Fred Torphy - is looking for. Joining Torphy (lead vocals/guitar)
both on stage and in the studio is founding Big Light member
Bradly Bifulco on drums, Steve Adams (also of ALO) on bass
and backing vocals, and Jeremy Korpas on guitar.
Since debuting the current lineup on May 13, 2009 at San Francisco's
Make Out Room, Big Light has been legging it out on the road,
and come the end of this summer will have played to fans all
over California, Utah and Washington, highlighted by appearances
at the Wanderlust, Desert Rocks, High Sierra Music Festival
(where they played the Main Stage this year) and Outside Lands
in addition to their set at the Summer Meltdown. 2009 has already
seen a glut of new material from the San Francisco-based, experimental
pop-rock quartet, so, stay tuned... lots more to come. |
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Saturday 4:05pm (M)
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KRISTEN
WARD -
Seattle, WA
MySpace Folk Rock / Alternative / Rock
Her big-voiced, husky laments make Seattle songwriter Kristen Ward sound much older than her 25 years. She may be next in the line of successful local alt-country chanteuses, following Neko Case and Jesse Sykes. Her latest album, Drive Away, features Mike McCready of Pearl Jam on one track, and slick production by Brad Zeffren on the rest.
-Julia Mullen Gordon, The Stranger |
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Saturday 3:00pm (G)
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NORTH
TWIN -
Seattle, WA
MySpace Rock / Country / Alternative
This Seattle band's been known around town for awhile now as natural heirs to the late great alt-country rockers Radio Nationals. While drummer Rick Cranford is the only North Twin member who was in Radio Nationals, North Twin also has an anthemic roots-rock sound that's rooted in both Uncle Tupelo alt-country and some classic southern rock, and they have their own distinctive lead singer and songwriter in Tony Fulgham. Their debut album is a potent set of colorful Fulgham originals that show the band coming into their own as purveyors of soulful, blue-collar roots-rock. 2/26/2007 -Don Yates-KEXP |
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Saturday 1:55pm (M)
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LoCura -
Oakland, CA
MySpace Latin / Reggae / Flamenco
SPAIN. CUBA. JAMAICA. CALIFORNIA. This extraordinary group of musicians mixes grooves and melodies from Flamenco, Reggae, Cuban Son, and North American Folk. To the stage they bring the mysterious and passionate world of Flamenco, combined with the driving, full sound of a salsa band. LoCura creates an original blend of irresistible, high energy music that bridges cultures and transcends borders. Mesmerizing flamenco footwork and solid bass lines, fiery guitar and hard-hitting percussion support rich vocals with soaring harmonies, creating a vibrant collage of sound and movement. Emotionally charged music that ignites a pulsating dance party, provides food for the soul and uplifts the spirit...a sound track to feeling alive! |
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Sunday 4:50pm (M)
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SPOONSHINE -
Anacortes,
WA
MySpace Americana / Bluegrass / Roots Music
Three part vocal harmonies, mandolin, guitar, keys, woodwinds, stand
up bass, and an eclectic drum set make up this four piece’s sound.
From high energy grooves, to melodic laments, sets can be short and sweet,
or all night long, depending on the setting. From a stage at a festival,
to busking on the street corner, it’s all about connecting with
people through music.
Spoonshine has been performing in small towns, big cities, bars, community
halls, and festivals for over three years now. They have played at The
Oregon Country Fair, Joshua Tree Music Festival, University Street Fair,
Fremont Fair, Folklife Festival, The Subdued String Band Jamboree, Western
Washington Earth day Festival, The Garlic Festival, The Herbal Fair,
and many other venues throughout the region.
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Saturday 12:35am (G)
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A Blind Black Rapper, a ½ Puerto Rican Jagger, and Gypsy-walk out of a bar with one of the seminal Rock & Roll Records of the past decade. Backed by Seattle Jazz & Rock heavyweights Joe Doria, Dave Carter, Andy Coe and RL Heyer, The Staxx Brothers have created a living document that uncovers Seattle’s lost identity as an urban crossroad for classic R & B, Hip Hop and Hard ASS Soul.
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Sunday 8:45pm (G)
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Not afraid to get ridiculous, Yogoman Burning Band is blasting out of Bellingham,
Washington with an upbeat rock steady, soul, reggae/dancehall sound, inspiring
crowds of all ages. In 2009, YBB opened for Iron and Wine in Seattle, San Francisco
and Los Angeles, and played the main stage at the 33rd Annual Summer Arts & Music
Festival (Garberville, CA) in support of their second album City Of Subdued
Excitement. YBB has received Cascadia Weekly's Best Bellingham Band for the
last two years and What's Up Magazine's Best Booty Shakin' Music award for
the last 3 years as a testament to their Northwest fanbase. Yogoman Burning
Band is ready to provide a soul sweating Sunday night set at this year’s Summer
Meltdown ’09. |
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Sunday 12:30pm (G)
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FREEDOM -
North California, CA
MySpace Rock / Acoustic / Other
Freedom is a singer-songwriter originally from the Northwest. Currently residing in rich and magical Northern California, he has toured extensively for several years with a diverse group of talented musicians. Freedom is currently performing acoustically with one or two other guitarists backing him. Visionary lyrics, soulful melodies and world rhythms merge to create a sound that is as powerful as it is mystic. The poetry is of substance, relevance and strength. The songs are timeless. When experiences live, the magic of this music is in purist form. |
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Saturday 12:55pm (G)
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Newly formed but not new to the scene. Big High is the intersection of 4 paths, some paved, others barely traveled. Mesa, Ari, Sandy and Jens come together to tell the stories of their lives. Mesa's vocals captivates and emits the emotion while the lyrics explain. Ari's effortless style on lead guitar coupled with inspired talent impress the hardest critic. Sandy (Bass) and Jens (Drums) pull it all together with rhythms that resonate the energy of the moment |
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Friday 9:10pm (G)
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Poor Man's Whiskey plays "High Octane Hootenanny" music…Dance, laugh, sing. Emerging from the San Francisco bay area music scene this quintet has developed a sound that is eclectic and engaging. PMW has been winning over national audiences with their upbeat performances, zany stage antics, and infectious songs. While seamlessly integrating acoustic and electric instruments the band weaves tales of everyday life, inviting the audience to become a part of each show. |
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Friday 2:20pm (G)
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TapWater is a live "World Twang" experience out
of Portland, OR bringing musical inspiration from around the
world right back home to your front porch. TapWater relies
on smart songwriting, polished musicianship and knockout performances
to keep you coming back for more. The band's homegrown humor
and down-to-earth style complement the sound seamlessly, and
create a live show that is particularly appealing to people
who have tired of mainstream pop. World Twang is here ...TapWater
is here!
This boisterous sextet blends the sound of banjo, steel pans,
piano, accordion, upright bass, guitar, vocal harmonies and
drums aplenty into a style they call World Twang. What is World
Twang? “It’s our way of honoring the many fascinating genres
of music throughout the world,” explains Steve Moore, who plays
banjo and sings lead. |
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Sunday 2:40pm (M)
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M.BISON -
Seattle, WA
MySpace Indie / Pop / Rock
"M. Bison stack the vocal harmonies instead of the guitars, add more than a few
tinkly Pet Sounds touches, and… wow. If you’re a Shins fan or love the smartypants-pop of Squeeze, check this band out immediately, particularly “Wassup You Guys.” Hand claps!
That organ that teeters between roller rink and baseball game!
When I started listening I wasn’t smiling, and when I finished I was. And y’know what? That’s good enough for me." Abe Beeson, DJ, KEXP
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Sunday 3:45pm (G)
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RL Heyer Trio - Seattle, WA
MySpace Rock /
Psychedelic / Experimental
Songs about life, love, and the effects of extreme drug
use on the human psyche. The RL Heyer Trio is a mix bag of
many styles, focusing on songwriting and crafting great arrangements
of great tunes. While thought goes into each part played,
there is still plenty of room for spontaneity and fire. A
good mix of seriousness and lightheartedness.
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Friday 1:00pm (G)
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Ben Bruce - Seattle, WA
MySpace Folk Rock / Acoustic / Rock
Ben Bruce is a singer/songwriter playing what he terms “thinking
rock,” on an old, beat down acoustic guitar. His music is alternately
raucous, restrained and rare, but always raw.
Currently residing in Seattle, WA, Ben has lived in Connecticut,
Baltimore, Boulder, Austin and New York, and has traveled extensively
throughout the United States. In New York City, he was a frequent
player at such clubs as CBGBs [RIP], the Continental Club,
Acme Underground and Arlene’s Grocery. His first album, "Sylvanus" was
released in 2004. Filled with songs as light and joyful as "Jubilee" and
as dark as "Self-Medicate", nevertheless there is
a style and a substance that makes each song uniquely his. |
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Sunday 11:30am (G)
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Stone Soup Marimba - Friday Harbor, WA
MySpace Percussion / Tribal Roots Music / Acoustic
Stone Soup Marimba plays lively, energetic music from Zimbabwe,
along with their own original compositions. With 7 wooden marimbas,
a drum set, djembe, dununs, and various other percussion, we
present a colorful and upbeat performance, with rhythms that
resonate deep inside. This is happy music that appeals to all
ages and compels the listener to smile and get up and dance! |
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Friday 3:45pm (G)
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Inspired by the need for emotional release and the desire
for spiritual relaxation through sonic enlightenment, Vaughn
Kreestoe was formed in Bellingham in April of 2008. What's
Up magazine writes, "Vaughn Kreestoe's such a tight band
they sound like they've been together a decade, not a year.
They may have been labeled a jazz band due to effortless improvisation,
but they bring on the funk...The bodies filled the dance floor,
rocking to guitarist Jeremy Elliot and keyboardist Delvon Lamarr's
seamless leads...The audience stood just to listen, in sheer
awe, to (Michael) Harris' incredible voice with its luminous
tone and outstanding range... As Kevin Chryst rode his drums
like brilliant, musical stallions." |
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Sunday 1:55pm (G)
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Sabu - Montclair, NJ
MySpace Afro-Beats / Roots Music / Acoustic
SABU is an African drum group from San Juan Island. We play
the traditional music of the Malinke people of Guinea, West
Africa. We have 3 djembes and 3 dununs, the traditional African
bass drums with bells. Sabu will have you singing, clapping
and dancing to this infectious and driving music. |
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Saturday 11:45am (G)
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Formed in Everett Washington in the spring of 2008. Founding
members Aron Glidden, Dustin Haggerty and Dave Luxmore met
several years earlier while riding Sound Transit’s 20 Riverside
bus route that ran past each of their houses. They became fast
friends and formed what is now 20 Riverside. What started as
a few friends who came together for jam and music writing sessions,
transformed into a working and recording band. Their blend
of culturally poignant song writing, driving rhythms, melodic
melodies, outspoken raps, and funkified horns come together
to create an Americano spiced stew of sound that defies categorization,
removes boundaries, and dares to travel down an un-charted
path that flows into a sea of sound. |
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Saturday 11:15am (G)
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Symphony De-La Steel is the Pacific northwest most exciting & entertaining
Steel Drum Band. They began performing in the Seattle area
in 1991, this lively Caribbean Steel Drum Band entertains
all around the Pacific Northwest. The group members are all
from the Caribbean, with over twenty years of experience
in playing the steel drums. Whether it is playing styles
such as Soca, Calypso, Salsa, Traditional Steel Drum Music,
Reggae or Samba, the ensemble’s island music sound will make
the listeners feel as if they are on a beach somewhere in
the sunny Caribbean. |
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Friday 2 & 3:25pm
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Nile
Moon Productions -
Seattle, WA
Nile Moon Productions is proud to present bellydance shows
that are creative, unique and truley a delight for audiences
of all ages. Join us and be transported to a place where
the air is thick with exotic perfume and spices. Allow yourself
to be swept away by the magic of the music and mesmerized
by the vision of swirling silks, shimmering costumes and
the blessing of the goddess in motion.
Featuring Farah, Shalaa and Shakti Moon of the Moon Sirens,
the lovely Giving and special guests Indigo, Jonathan and
Emily. |
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Saturday 1:30am
Village Stage
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The troubadour has been idealized and mythologized through
the years, but few of those to whom the word has been applied
have actually earned it. Sarazin Blake is the real deal. A
storyteller with a guitar and a head full of ideas who roams
the land playing his tunes for any open-minded human with a
matching set of ears. For the past decade - during which he
was known, until now, as Robert Sarazin Blake, or just plain
Robert Blake - the Bellingham, WA based singer-songwriter has
made his way across the states and back who knows how many
times, and found an enthusiastic audience in Ireland too. Now,
on his newest self-produced album, The Air Your Lungs Forced
Out, Sarazin Blake is poised to take his music to the next
level. |
Check back often for new updates to this page.
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