festival news

ARTISTS & SCHEDULES

Patron's Party Reception - Friday, September 7, 2001 at The Masonic Hall in Stanwood

7:00 - 9:00 pm - Champagne, hors d'oeuvres, desserts and music by:

Sonja Ronning, harpist - Sonja is a Stanwood native and 1993 graduate of Stanwood High School. A talented harpist, she was schooled in the Suzuki method and has a classical repertoire, but also enjoys pop, jazz, and folk music. Sonja has performed with the Skagit Valley Chorale, Sammamish and Whatcom Symphony Orchestras and Western Washington University Symphony Orchestra.

Misty Greene, vocalist - Misty has been singing since the age of five. A year 2000 Stanwood High School graduate, she sang in the Jazz Ensemble and the Concert Choir in high school and was an "Ovation" winner. She is currently employed in Everett at both the Village Theatre and Sky Theatre, and appears at special events for "Cloud 10" Entertainment.

The Midnight Duo - accordion and guitar by Bonnie Birch and Nick Heiting - Originally from Seattle, Bonnie has classical and jazz training and started playing accordion at age 7. She performs frequently locally. Nick is a native of Munich, Germany and began actively performing on guitar and singing at age 16. He is a popular talent at the Elks Club and also sings in the German Choir. Together they appear at private parties and many public events such as the Columbia Winery, Leavenworth Snow Train, and numerous clubs and restaurants.

Patron's Party is by invitation only. Tickets are $75 per person - call 387-1393 or 387-0203 for information.

Block Party and Barbecue - Saturday, September 8, 2001 at the D.O. Pearson House in downtown Stanwood

11:00 - 11:40 - The Hugo Helmer Accordion Band - Founded in 1935 and reunited in 1994, the Hugo Helmer Accordion Band plays in concert and at a variety of community events throughout the year.

12:00 - 12:40 - Just Plain Folk - The Stanwood Duo, 'Just Plain Folk' has performed in local and regional events for the last five years. They offer a unique blend of traditional and contemporary tunes, sung with country flavored harmonies. Featuring guitar, accordion, they will add in mandolin and upright bass for this event.

1:00 - 1:40 - Sympatico - Three of Skagit Valley's finest musicians join their diverse experience to breathe new life into the already rich legacy of jazz music. The members of Sympatico share in the belief that the sheer joy of presenting music in a sincere and spontaneous fashion can only result in a "compatibly responsive" reaction in all who listen.

2:00 - 2:40 - The Stilly River Bluegrass Band - Performing together for more than 15 years, the Stilly River Band delivers an exciting range of music, from bluegrass to progressive folk, Latin, Irish, rock and rhythm 'n blues. Instrumentation features banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, accordion and upright bass, all performed accoustically.

3:00 - 3:40 - Juba Marimba - Juba Marimba is a group of eight Bellingham musicians who play traditional and contemporary dance music from Africa and the Caribbean. Group members rotate between 7 different marimbas, with the steady beat of the hosho and occasional drums. The music is a blend of up-beat energy, rhythm and power.

The Block Party is FREE with a no host barbecue

Electric Equinox Concert with Fireworks- Saturday, September 8, 2001 at the Stanwood/Camano Fairgrounds

(equinox: "one of the two times in the year when the sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of equal length" - World Book. The autumnal equinox occurs in September)

4:00 ... Gates Open

6:00 to 6:40……Shale (Christian contemporary rock)

6:55 to 7:35……The Splinters (ageless guitar rock and world beat) - This group of local musicians has been making music together for over twenty years, in and around Skagit Valley. Today they limit their appearances to special parties and events and weddings, but their music represents a wide range of styles. From straight-ahead rock to a ska take on a Beatles tune or a Tex-Mex polka in Spanish, the group brings to every song their own unique interpretation. Members are: Stuart Torgerson and John Amber-Oliver of Stanwood; Philip Nakano of La Conner, Jonathan Schneider of Mount Vernon and Robert Bell of Bellingham.

7:50 to 8:30……King Bees of the Bayou (zydeco and Cajun) - By their own admission, this Bellingham-based dance band "cross pollinates" American roots music and world beat rhythms. The four-piece group will range from the fiery Zydeco sounds of Louisiana to wailing Zulu jive from Africa, and the music is lively and definitely eclectic.

8:45 to 9:25……World 7 (contemporary guitar rock) - Jamming together for over 3 years, World 7 is "sonically intense" with "in-your-face" heaviness. They hop, skip and jump through a myriad of styles, but make it all work with a captivating intensity. The group includes Travis Law on guitar and vocals, Mike Pearson as front man, Joe Hampton on bass, and Brian Fisher on drums. Check the World 7 web site for more info.

9:40 to 10:20……Mytslplck (contemporary guitar rock) - Here comes the high-energy rock you've been waiting for. Based out of Skagit Valley, the three-man group brings complex dynamism and individuality to their music. Mr. Brown is responsible for lead vocals and guitar; Jason Maddox is bass guitarist, and "The Smokeshow" is the "man behind the beats" with vocal harmony and melody. Their full-length album is nearing completion.

10:35 to 11:15……Valis (contemporary guitar rock) - Quite possibly the high point of this inaugural event, Valis will perform accompanied by pyrotechnics (yes, fireworks) specially choreographed to their music by Port Gardner Fireworks. Valis includes former members of Screaming Trees and TAD; they bring a new sound to the stage. The rock act features Van Conner (Screaming Trees) on vocals, guitar and keyboard, Pat Conner (Kitty Kitty) on guitar and vocals, Kurt Danielson (TAD) on bass and distorted vocals, and Sean Hollister formerly of Screaming Trees on the skins. Valis prides itself on "operating on your subconcious." Check out the VALIS web site for more info.

VALIS' performance is courtesy of Les Schwab, Pat Rimmer Tire Center

Pyrotechnics choreographed by Port Gardner Fireworks - sponsored by Dwayne Lane's Arlington Chevrolet

12:15 am - Gates Close

Guitar door prize sponsored by Hugo Helmer Music, Inc.

Tickets for The Electric Equinox are $15; children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by a responsible adult

Classical Afternoon Concert - Sunday, September 9, 2001 at the Stanwood High School Theatre

2:00 - Concert starts featuring:

Orchestra Seattle, George Shangrow, conductor
Program includes:

FARINA: Capriccio stravagante
VIVALDI: Violin Concerto, with Svend Ronning, soloist
CORELLI: Concerto Grosso
BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5

Seattle Chamber Singers

Tickets for the Classical Concert are $12