Sorrento Centre on Saturday Aug. 25 from noon until 9 p.m., is the place to be for some primo bluegrass music.
The venue is a bring your own lawnchair event, with food vendors and beer garden, surrounding the outdoor theatre setting.
Traditional music complete with bullet-proof harmonies and complex instrumentation form the full sound that is bluegrass.
In the mix, some innovative surprises are sure to please the crowd.
Plan for a day-long showcase of some of the most dynamic bluegrass performers in North America.
Local acts Chris Steven Family Band and Blu and Kelly Hopkins kick off the festival at noon and 12:45 p.m. respectively.
At 1:30 p.m. with an Appalachian sound is Shout!White Dragon on stage with Craig Korth and Julie Kerr, with their original music from the Kootenays following at 2:30 p.m.
Taking the stage at 3:30 p.m. is Annie Lou, a Juno-nominated artist from Ontario, offers original and innovative music while sounding old and familiar.
Late Thaw is the ’tweener group, theirs is a lot of standard bluegrass and country along with a little blues brought into the mix.
At 4:30 p.m., some surprise combinations in an Old Time Extravaganza with Sarah Jane Scouten who is on a mission to make remarkable Canadian folk and country music. Formerly from Bowen Island, Scouten is now based in Montreal.
Jason and Pharis Romero are build fine open-back banjos as the J. Romero Banjo Co. When they’re not building, they’re learning, playing or teaching dreamy old-time country and original music. The couple gets up on stage at 5:30 p.m.
Mandolin player and composer of five CDs of original music, John Reischman hails from Vancouver and is up on stage at 6:30 p.m.
The Breakman are back at the festival taking the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Known for exceptional vocal harmonies, the group has been deemed “Vancouver’s kings of harmony” by the Rogue Folk Club.
The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band combines gutsy, heartfelt vocals, brilliant instrumental talents and a powerful, contemporary sense of song choice and arrangement into one of the most compelling new sounds in bluegrass today.
The closing act of the festival, they start performing at 8:30 p.m.
With the variety of the performers, original music, and quality instrumentation, the Sorrento Bluegrass Festival will please the most discerning ear.
For more information please contact the Sorrento Centre office: 1-866-694-2409.
Showcasing local talent
On Friday, Sept. 28, the Cedar Heights Community Association will host a Pig and Whistle/Talent Night at Cedar Heights Hall, 2316 Lakeview Dr. in Blind Bay.
Thespians, singers, dancers, jugglers, animal trainers, any talent will do, if you want to be part of this really big show. The event is a fundraiser to support new construction on the Cedar Heights Centre building.
Call Peter at 250-675-3004 for more information.
Call for performers and volunteers
The Sorrento 100 Organizing Committee is looking for Shuswap youth who are musicians or entertainers wanting to showcase their talents at the Sorrento 100 Family Festival weekend on Saturday, Sept 8, at the Sorrento Blind Bay Park.
If you are interested in performing, contact Dale Bush at 250 675-3015 or at dnsbush@shaw.ca, and provide a description of your talents.
More volunteers are also required for the Sept. 8 Family Festival day at Sorrento Blind Bay Park.
If you have some time available that day and would like to help, please contact Louise Barber at 250 253-5776.
