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| Festival Jam | Thursday, 6-10 p.m., Eric Stein Stage |
Get your party on! It all begins with the amazing Festival Jam - 16 bands of every possible musical style, changing every 15 minutes! The Jam showcases regional and local entertainers in a quick-time format building to the spectacular Giant Jam at evening's end. Food vendors open their booths at 4:00 p.m. with a full menu of Festival fare. Start with the Jam and stay till Sunday - there's a lot more ahead! Admission to the Jam is by Festival button.
| Mingo Fishtrap | Friday, 8:30 p.m., Eric Stein Stage |
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Mingo crafts melodic pop songs reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Dr. John, and Tower of Power and serves them up in tight, horn-fueled arrangements with a healthy pinch of funky stuff. Mingo garnered top honors during South by Southwest at the Austin Music Awards, placing best in four categories: Best Funk Band, Best Jam Band, Best Horns and Best Keyboards. The group has also received more than a dozen other mentions, including Band of the Year, Best Pop Band, and Producer of the Year. So bring in da funk!
Justin Roberts
(with Liam Davis) | Friday, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Children's Stage |
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Four-time Parent's Choice Gold Award winner Justin Roberts has emerged as a key player in the world of hip kids' music. Justin has performed on the road in renowned venues ranging from NYC's Symphony Space to LA's Getty Museum. His fifth kids' album, Meltdown!, a James Taylor-esque collection about imaginary rhinos and tattling, has made him a favorite of the sippy-cup set. "Justin is rapidly becoming a superstar of this scene. His sophisticated music could be mistaken for that of an unusually jaunty alt-rock band, if it weren't for his peppy delivery and lyrics about kid-specific topics." - Nick Jr. magazine.
Big Band Dance, featuring
Bobby Layne & His Orchestra
with vocalist Trudy DuMay | Friday, 7-10:30 p.m., Bicentennial Center |
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Celebrating 51 years in Big Band, Layne is keeping the traditional music of the 30's, 40's and 50's alive with "String of Pearls", "In the Mood", "Stardust" and many other favorites. Trudy DuMay joined the Orchestra in 1974, with a talent for "bringing out the best in a song, in the big band style." Together they make an evening under the sparkling mirror ball one to remember.
| Asleep at the Wheel | Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Eric Stein Stage |
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For Ray Benson, the will to play the guitar began in Philadelphia, PA -- far, far away from the city of Austin, Texas, which the Wheel has proudly called home for the last thirty-three years. "I was born in 1951, and big band music was still very much around, and in my community it was still very much the thing," Benson explains. I was also into folk music, Chicago blues and country. My goal was to be more different than anybody, and that's
what Asleep at the Wheel was all about: doing roots music that was different and eclectic."
Over the course of the last 36 years Benson and the Wheel have boldly defied the fickle lures of the mainstream -- and thrived -- by sticking to their noble cause of keeping that distinctly American of art forms, western swing, alive and kicking. Along the way, they've entertained thousands and won praise and admiration from everyone from Willie Nelson to Bob Dylan, George Strait to Van Morrison.
Asleep at the Wheel is not just your typical dance band, they're an institution: an ever-shifting lineup (over 80 members to date) of like-minded musicians united under Benson's crusade to carry the torch of big band Western Swing music into the 21st Century.
"Every time that I figured I was going to quit, we'd have a wonderful, incredible show where the people were so appreciative that we were doing this music that it's like, 'Well, hell -- this beats working, so why not keep doing it?' Honestly, I would like to see this go on forever. Western swing ain't going away."
| Needfire | Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Eric Stein Stage |
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Needfire's music is a unique mix of all original high energy modern rock and traditional Scottish and Irish music. This five-piece Texas-based Celtic-rock band combines the talents of an award-winning Highland bagpiper, Celt-rock fiddle, and tribal didgeridoo with electric guitars, bass and drums. Last year's breakout band, they're back, and they're better than ever!
Throughout the weekend . . .
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Bio Ritmo - is a salsa band based in Richmond, Virginia. The name Bio Ritmo is a Spanglish play on the term "Biorhythm," the hypothetical description for the rhythm of life. Embracing the straight-up, street-wise classic salsa sound of the 1970s Puerto Rican New York, Bio Ritmo brings hard-core groove, creativity, and pure energy back to the forefront of music. These musicians are serious, their songs original, their arrangements tight, and their live shows raise the roof. This band can play!
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The Ditty Bops - is a band from Los Angeles, California that plays a blend of folk, bluegrass, jazz, western swing, ragtime and musical theatre. Headed by Abby DeWald (vocals and acoustic guitar) and Amanda Barrett (vocals, mandolin and dulcimer); they are noted for their excellent harmonies and generally playful style and tempo, as well as their live shows, which all have different themes and theatrical elements. Six of their songs have been included on the hit show "Grey's Anatomy". Their song "Theres a Girl" is on the series soundtrack. Last summer, the Ditty Bops embarked on a cross-country tour by bicycle (stopping in Lucas, KS) to commemorate the release of their second album. They traveled from Los Angeles to New York City, logging 4,502.75 miles. Their 2007 Vegetable Bikini Calendar features vegetables in bikinis as well as bikinis made of vegetables. Friday and Saturday only.
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The Chris McCarty Band - based out of Gainsville, Florida and fronted by the charismatic Chris McCarty, their live show is sure to leave an impression. The sound is acoustic, flavored by a mature blend of pop rock, funk and soul, hip hop, and even some latin rhythms. The band has been described as having the lyrical style and roots-driven flavor of Dave Matthews, the pop sensibilities of Maroon 5, and the tight musicianship of Santana. "Maroon 5 meets O.A.R ... these guys are going to be huge." - Peter Griesar, Satellite Ballroom
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Lisa Henry Jazz Group - Lisa Henry is a combination of swingin' cool and down-home class. Her professional jazz career began in the nightclubs of Kansas City at the age of 17. Lisa is an artist of vast accomplishment, including first-runner up in the T. S. Monk International Jazz Vocals competition. Lisa has shared the spotlight with many artists; Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Hargrove, Lou Rawls, Frank Mantooth, T. S. Monk and Claude "Fiddler" Williams, to name a few. In September 2006, she performed at the White House for the T.S. Monk Institute of Jazz Dinner.
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Ryan Montbleau Band - Having begun his career playing Boston's coffee shops and folk venues as a solo artist with an infectious, percussive, finger picking guitar style, the charismatic Ryan Montbleau has evolved into the front man for the eclectic ensemble that bears his name. Montbleau is building a bridge between Americana, folk, blues, ragtime, soul, and the contemporary singer/songwriter vibe, with "...guitar playing reminiscent of a funk bass player channeling John Lee Hooker. Lyrically, the phrasing runs the gauntlet of a '70s Stevie Wonder, a '90s Jamiroquoi, and a healthy helping of Robert Plant." - The Noise
NeedFire - This five-piece Celtic-rock band from Dallas blends traditional Celtic melodies, original songs and high stage energy for an incredible show you'll want to catch more than once. Ready for a little rock 'n' roll with your Celtic music? Get set for NeedFire playing modern rock with deep Celtic roots, fire-driven instrumentals and hard-rocking songs.
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Old School Freight Train - blending jazz, Latin, Celtic, bluegrass and pop, Old School Freight Train (OSFT) creates electrifying acoustic music. This young Charlottesville, VA based group instantly carved their own unique sound, attracting a diverse audience since their inception in 2000. After gaining a loyal local following, the band earned national recognition touring the country and winning awards at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass and Rockygrass Bluegrass Contests.
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Runaway Express - are self-described as a "bunch of folkies, rockers, and insufferable song junkies, who have a 2,000 song repertoire and are not afraid to use it!" Runaway Express musically explores everything from the songs of the Woodstock generation to Buddy Holly and points in between. Runaway Express is led by Salina native, Jim Ratts, although the band is based in Englewood, Colorado, where they have taken "Best of Denver" awards for Country Recording, a reader's choice for Best Dance Band, and Best Collaboration for work with the Dirt Band's John McEuen.
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Turbine - a four-piece band from New York that writes in just about every style imaginable, Jambands.com says, "Their music wails, whispers and directs our thoughts to the deeper mysteries of life." Just utilizing guitars, harmonica and vocals, Turbine plays organic and reflective music that hits the target. Their sound is exhilarating, with flurries of melodic guitars and wailing harp propelling complex improvisations built around a base of blues and folk, with a folk/blues meets jamband mentality.
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TurpinTyme Ragsters - are a seven-piece Ragtime music ensemble based in Kansas City. The Ragsters turn the clock back, musically, to the era of ceiling fans, ice cream socials and Sunday concerts in the park (sound familiar)? In the early 1900's the Midwest was a hot bed of Ragtime activity from KC to Sedalia to St. Louis. Formed just a hundred years later, the TurpinTyme Ragsters perform the music of a list of local composers that reads like a "Who's Who" in Ragtime music - playing Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, and their namesake Tom Turpin.
roving around the Festival - South East of Saline Madrigal Singers, vocals; StoneLion Puppet Theatre, Jamie Adkins, clowning; John and Johnna Perry, balloon twisters, Company's Comin', acoustic/vocals; RoJean Loucks, harp; Acme Fife and Drum; Kenny J, Dance Party; Martin Bates and Janie Stein, guitar/vocals.
In the Loop - Brandon Draper, Joshua Conner, and Brett Maltbie present these musical performances where the audience creates the music on a "Jam Wagon." Imagine the equipment from the musical "Stomp" where anyone can walk up and jam on it! This audience interactive performance combines loop-based music, tribal drumming and found-sound percussion elements. The whole contraption (with the artists) will move to a different location at the Festival each day. Contribute your tuneful "junk" and join the artists in creating the "Jam Wagon" prior to the Festival. Times/Location TBA
| Storytelling Stage | North of the Statue of Liberty |
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People in all times and places have told stories. In the oral tradition, storytelling includes the teller and an audience. The storyteller creates the experience, while the audience perceives the message and creates personal mental images from the words and gestures. In this experience, the audience becomes the co-creator of the art. Our 2007 tellers are masters in the storytelling world. Don’t miss a chance to create art with them!
2007 Storytellers include:
Leeny Del Seamonds - Leeny is an internationally known master performer of Hispanic/Latino, original and World stories spiced with exquisite mime, a cornucopia of characters, and love of people. Leeny stars in "Ribert & Robert's WonderWorld," a multi award-winning national PBS Television and DVD series distributed worldwide. Watch for Leeny's new show about her amazing trip to China, "The Red-Faced Goddess: My Nu Wa Adventure!"
Onawumi Jean Moss - When Onawumi tells a story, warm tones, gentle humor and soulful rhythms draw you in, and then the meaning dawns. Her dramatic voice, expressive face and graceful movements transport you into the worlds of adventurous girls and women, charming creatures, scheming tricksters and wicked demons. Onawumi Jean Moss is a talking book and rhythm master whose timeless stories and acappella songs of Africa and African descendants include tales of wonder, liberation, praise, trickery and spirituality.
David Novak - a master of literary collage, David animates his programs - contrasting simplicity with complexity, the familiar with the surprising, the ordinary with the fabulous. David tells his stories with great physical awareness, a real sense of suspense, humor, and integrity. His range, personality, warmth, truthfulness, imagination, ability to transform, taste - all combined, make him a unique artist. "In him, the Brothers Grimm and Carl Jung meet Monty Python." Jeannine Pasini Beekman, Houston Storytelling Festival
Joyce Slater - loves to tell stories to listeners of all ages and it shows in her performances. Her theatrical background is evident in her animated style. She tells the old stories and applies them to a new world. Joyce returns to the Festival storytelling stage, not only as a teller, but also as our highly skilled emcee. She'll grab you right off the sidewalk, and sit you down in the Storytelling tent, so don't fight it! You're in for a wonderful ride!
| Story Swap | Saturday, June 9, 6:00 p.m., Storytelling Stage |
Here's your chance to take the stage! Come and tell us your favorite story, be it a personal family one, something once read in a book, or a made-on-the spot whopper. Emcee Joyce will have a story game or two to get us started. So let's see what you've got, Salina!
 | The Smoky Hill River Festival is a
member organization of the
National Storytelling Network |
| Children's Stage |
Northwest of the Tennis Court |
A merry introduction to the performing arts for the young and young at heart, the Children’s Stage presents a grab-bag of smiles, songs, and silliness designed with families in mind.
Discover:
Justin Roberts
(with Liam Davis) | Special Friday Only Event, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. |
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Four-time Parent's Choice Gold Award winner Justin Roberts has emerged as a key player in the world of hip kids' music. Justin has performed on the road in renowned venues ranging from NYC's Symphony Space to LA's Getty Museum. His fifth kids' album, Meltdown!, a James Taylor-esque collection about imaginary rhinos and tattling, has made him a favorite of the sippy-cup set. "Justin is rapidly becoming a superstar of this scene. His sophisticated music could be mistaken for that of an unusually jaunty alt-rock band, if it weren't for his peppy delivery and lyrics about kid-specific topics." - Nick Jr. magazine.
Jamie Adkins - From Montreal, Canada, master vaudevillian Jamie Adkins balances on slack rope, pops ping-pong balls, catches grapes on a fork and juggles just about everything around him. "...playing the role of the clumsy oaf, Jamie Adkins grabs the audience's attention with fast-paced juggling and keeps us laughing with his mimicry and knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time..." (Recklinghauser Zeitung, Germany)
I Am Kenny J Productions - It's a dance party on the childrens stage! Dancing "like no one is watching," Kenny J and his assistants will rock the house! IAKJP is one of the most progressive line dance groups with in the "Soul" line dance community from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. Celebrating their mission of "footwork with a purpose" through healthy lifestyles and community enrichment, IAKJP dances "like no one is watching." Look for them roving around the Festival, you may just want boogie along!
StoneLion Puppet Theatre - Enjoy two different puppet plays! "It's a Jungle Out There" focuses on environmental concerns in a lighthearted way, narrated by Felicia Flash and her sidekick, Karma the elephant. Based on the book "The Wind in the Willows," Mr. Toad is struck with a new obsession, "AUTOMOBILE"! Mayhem breaks out when he gets behind the wheel. Led by founder and puppeteer Heather Nisbett-Loewenstein, catch StoneLion puppeteers and their amazing collection of puppets roving around the Festival.
Watch your favorite kids and local artists perform for you! - Don't miss songstress Ann Zimmerman, The Salina Children's Choir and Sunset Elementary School's S.T.A.R.
D.R.U.M.* group. *Students That Are Ready with Discipline, Respect and Unity to make Music.
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Jamie Adkins - From Montreal, Canada, master vaudevillian Jamie Adkins balances on slack rope, pops ping-pong balls, catches grapes on a fork and juggles just about everything around him. "...playing the role of the clumsy oaf, Jamie Adkins grabs the audience's attention with fast-paced juggling and keeps us laughing with his mimicry and knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time..." (Recklinghauser Zeitung, Germany) 
I Am Kenny J Productions - It's a dance party on the childrens stage! Dancing "like no one is watching," Kenny J and his assistants will rock the house! IAKJP is one of the most progressive line dance groups with in the "Soul" line dance community from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. Celebrating their mission of "footwork with a purpose" through healthy lifestyles and community enrichment, IAKJP dances "like no one is watching." Look for them roving around the Festival, you may just want boogie along!
StoneLion Puppet Theatre - Enjoy two different puppet plays! "It's a Jungle Out There" focuses on environmental concerns in a lighthearted way, narrated by Felicia Flash and her sidekick, Karma the elephant. Based on the book "The Wind in the Willows," Mr. Toad is struck with a new obsession, "AUTOMOBILE"! Mayhem breaks out when he gets behind the wheel. Led by founder and puppeteer Heather Nisbett-Loewenstein, catch StoneLion puppeteers and their amazing collection of puppets roving around the Festival.
