Head to Darrington, center of the musical universe this summer, for one of the largest locally produced festivals in the state.
All ages can enjoy music, art, food and camping at the Flowmotion Summer Meltdown this weekend, which deserves a crowd to hear the line-up that the band Flowmotion from Arlington has put together.
The music festival is completely separate from last weekend’s troubled classic rock festival.
Featured performers this weekend include Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Frisell, Critters Buggin’ Trio, Vince Herman from Leftover Salmon, Flowmotion, DJ Ursula 1000 and more than 40 other bands, late-night DJs and improv acts on four stages.
Frisell, 2005 Grammy winner for Best Contemporary Jazz Album (“Unspeakable”), has been called the “Clark Kent of the electric guitar” for his soft-spoken manner and personality change on stage. People have tried to label his music; most have given up. He’s simply taken it into a different universe.
Any festival that includes The Children of the Revolution is worth the trip. Revolution is a fusion of world music and sophisticated pop, a true original. Vicci Martinez is young and on the way up with her acoustic-based singer/songwriter format, wake-up live performances and literate lyrics.
The electronic dance music trio that is Zillah includes Michael Travis of the String Cheese Incident. Critters Buggin’ Trio is Sherik, mad scientist of the saxophone; Mike Dillon, who plays with Ani DiFranco; and Brad Houser, original member of the New Bohemians.
The March Fourth Marching Band, voted Best Portland Band, comes with fire dancers, stilt walkers and a fabulous horn section.
Any Elvis fans out there? Elvis impersonator Justin Shandor will rock ‘n’ roll with Elvis’ songs Wednesday in Bothell, 29 years after the singer’s death.
Shandor has won loyal fans for his portrayal of a young, talented and vulnerable Elvis. He first heard Elvis’ music when he was 12, and has been on the same wavelength since.
Comedy hypnotist Ron Stubbs will open the show. Stubbs graduated from Everett Community College and has several advanced certificates in hypnotherapy. He teaches hypnotherapy classes at EvCC and Skagit Valley Community College.
The Camano Island resident has appeared in films, written six books and was considered for seven Grammy nominations in 2003 for his CD “The Heart’s Journey.”
Stubbs performs his solo show tonight in Tulalip.
Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band: The spirited 30-piece brass and wind band performs Sunday in Edmonds. It’s dedicated to playing music from the golden age of marching-band music, 1890 to 1945. The repertoire includes “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Liberty Bell March.”
Toad the Wet Sprocket: Named in honor of a sketch by the Monty Python comedy troupe, the four-piece band will perform Sunday at the Stillaguamish River Festival and Pow Wow in Arlington. The alternative rock band’s melodic folk-pop sound has carried them since 1986. “All I Want” was a chart-topper; “Fall Down” was a top-40 hit.
Other bands include Bottom Line Duo, Leroy Bell and English Beat.
Peter Frampton: In 1976, “Frampton Comes Alive” was the best-selling live album of all time, a distinction it held for more than 20 years. Frampton performs Thursday in Tulalip. Once a teen idol in Britain, he became a U.S. citizen after the attack of Sept. 11, 2001. He’s been a rock ‘n’ roll artist all of his life, but now he sometimes performs with a symphony orchestra.
Lucius Clay: Four brothers in electro funk-rock from Port Townsend perform Thursday on the Everett waterfront. Expect an unpretentious party-like atmosphere with infectious grooves, and perhaps their song about the Dalai Lama that they presented to his holiness.
Blues Therapy: The dance-oriented band starts with a rhythm and blues base and ranges through funky blues, Motown hits, classic rock and reggae. Blues Therapy performs music from the 1950s-’90s Sunday in Everett. “Second Opinion” is the band’s second CD.
Eric Herman: Herman brings his Invisible Band to a Tuesday concert for children. In addition to recording and performing music, Herman has also written two stage musicals.He’ll bring music, comedy, fun and enthusiasm, and songs that he has created for children.
A scene from the 2003 Summer Meltdown.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
