'Dam Show' This Weekend
Heavy hitters from the 2008 festival scene will converge in Potter County over the July 18-19 weekend for the sixth annual Dam Show at the Austin Dam Memorial Park.
On Friday night and all day and night Saturday, the stage at the base of the Austin Dam ruins will be filled with the sounds of bluegrass, country, rock, old-timey music, gospel and other genres with broad appeal.
Several of the bands will be accompanied by a legion of faithful fans who have been following them along the festival circuit across the country, headlined by world-class fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band, Flamekeeper. They’ll play a 90-minute set on Friday night.
Other acts who will attract their own roving fan base to Austin include the Ryan Montbleau Band, the Hackensaw Boys, and Buddhahood. Lighting specialist Groovin’ Lumens will be back to paint the dam ruins with a colorful light show in support of Dam Show sponsor, the Potter County Fine Arts Council, in partnership with the Austin Dam Memorial Association. Additional support comes from the Dominion Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Potter County Commissioners.
“This is the best musical lineup we’ve had since the Dam Show began,” said Art Metzger, music director for the committee. “Mike Cleveland is a world-class fiddler, while Ryan Montbleau and the Hackensaw Boys have been packing them in at festivals this summer, and that’s just the start!”
Performers at the top of the bill are playing longer sets this year, in response to surveys showing that many Dam Show attendees are particularly attracted by one or more acts and less enthused about variety.
“In response to that, we have been pretty particular about our music line-up this year,” Metzger said. “At the same time, the people who have come to see the four featured performers should be very pleased.”
Primitive camping is available at the park for $10 nightly or $15 for the weekend. Food and other vendor booths will be set up both days, with painting, beading, sand art, horse-drawn wagon rides and children’s games featured. Tickets for individuals are $15 per day or $25 for both days; a family pass is available at $30 for one day or $45 for both days. Shuttle bus transportation is available for Dam Show attendees and some parking is available at the park entrance along Rt. 872.A $5.00 discount is available on tickets purchased in advance. They’re available in Austin at Big Mike’s Dairy Dine; at the Wharton General Store and Costello General Store; in Coudersport, at the Corner Store, Second Street Roost, Olga’s Living with Art, and Potter County Education Council; and at Alyson Leach Studio and Gallery in Galeton.
Additional information on the Dam Show and the individual performers, including samples of their music, is available at the website, damshow.com.
Friday, July 18:
5 pm: Dam Jam. Talented musicians from the local area kick off the show with an hour-long set of picking, jamming and singing.
Free Grass Union
6 pm: Free Grass Union. The band spins its blend of mountain music with bluegrass, dance tunes, blues, and more. There’s a generous dose of mandolin, guitar, banjo and dobro work mixed in with rich harmonic vocals. Free Grass Union has opened for David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs and other bluegrass legends.
7 pm: Cherylann Hawk. They say she “awakens the soul.” Hawk is graced with jazzy, percussive and dynamic acoustic guitar skills, rhythmic lyrics, catchy melodies, and a voice that saturates the senses. She is often compared to Joni Mitchell.
7:30 pm: Gail Ayers. Gifted with a deep and powerful voice, this Potter County resident stirs the soul as she sings gospel music from the heart.
Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
8 pm: Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. Considered one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Cleveland has played at the Grand Ole Opry with Allison Krause, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson and others. He has won five Fiddle Player of the Year honors from the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and has also been honored for two IBMA Albums of the Year.
Blue Sky Mission Club
9:30 pm: Blue Sky Mission Club. The funky and inspiring band features world-class musicians with a deep understanding of roots, rhythm and bluegrass. Drummer Ron Riddle, formerly of Blue Oyster Cult, helps deliver a unique blend of soul, country and rock.
10:30 pm: Willy Jack and the Northern Lights. This Sunbury band jams all types of music, from jazz, funk, rock, and reggae with lots of improv. Willie Jack is in demand on college campuses.
We'll have more on the Dam Show tomorrow -- including information about The Slant's performance.
Thanks to Paul W. Heimel for passing along this information
On Friday night and all day and night Saturday, the stage at the base of the Austin Dam ruins will be filled with the sounds of bluegrass, country, rock, old-timey music, gospel and other genres with broad appeal.
Several of the bands will be accompanied by a legion of faithful fans who have been following them along the festival circuit across the country, headlined by world-class fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band, Flamekeeper. They’ll play a 90-minute set on Friday night.
Other acts who will attract their own roving fan base to Austin include the Ryan Montbleau Band, the Hackensaw Boys, and Buddhahood. Lighting specialist Groovin’ Lumens will be back to paint the dam ruins with a colorful light show in support of Dam Show sponsor, the Potter County Fine Arts Council, in partnership with the Austin Dam Memorial Association. Additional support comes from the Dominion Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Potter County Commissioners.
“This is the best musical lineup we’ve had since the Dam Show began,” said Art Metzger, music director for the committee. “Mike Cleveland is a world-class fiddler, while Ryan Montbleau and the Hackensaw Boys have been packing them in at festivals this summer, and that’s just the start!”
Performers at the top of the bill are playing longer sets this year, in response to surveys showing that many Dam Show attendees are particularly attracted by one or more acts and less enthused about variety.
“In response to that, we have been pretty particular about our music line-up this year,” Metzger said. “At the same time, the people who have come to see the four featured performers should be very pleased.”
Primitive camping is available at the park for $10 nightly or $15 for the weekend. Food and other vendor booths will be set up both days, with painting, beading, sand art, horse-drawn wagon rides and children’s games featured. Tickets for individuals are $15 per day or $25 for both days; a family pass is available at $30 for one day or $45 for both days. Shuttle bus transportation is available for Dam Show attendees and some parking is available at the park entrance along Rt. 872.A $5.00 discount is available on tickets purchased in advance. They’re available in Austin at Big Mike’s Dairy Dine; at the Wharton General Store and Costello General Store; in Coudersport, at the Corner Store, Second Street Roost, Olga’s Living with Art, and Potter County Education Council; and at Alyson Leach Studio and Gallery in Galeton.
Additional information on the Dam Show and the individual performers, including samples of their music, is available at the website, damshow.com.
Friday, July 18:
5 pm: Dam Jam. Talented musicians from the local area kick off the show with an hour-long set of picking, jamming and singing.
6 pm: Free Grass Union. The band spins its blend of mountain music with bluegrass, dance tunes, blues, and more. There’s a generous dose of mandolin, guitar, banjo and dobro work mixed in with rich harmonic vocals. Free Grass Union has opened for David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs and other bluegrass legends.
7 pm: Cherylann Hawk. They say she “awakens the soul.” Hawk is graced with jazzy, percussive and dynamic acoustic guitar skills, rhythmic lyrics, catchy melodies, and a voice that saturates the senses. She is often compared to Joni Mitchell.
7:30 pm: Gail Ayers. Gifted with a deep and powerful voice, this Potter County resident stirs the soul as she sings gospel music from the heart.
8 pm: Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. Considered one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Cleveland has played at the Grand Ole Opry with Allison Krause, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson and others. He has won five Fiddle Player of the Year honors from the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and has also been honored for two IBMA Albums of the Year.
9:30 pm: Blue Sky Mission Club. The funky and inspiring band features world-class musicians with a deep understanding of roots, rhythm and bluegrass. Drummer Ron Riddle, formerly of Blue Oyster Cult, helps deliver a unique blend of soul, country and rock.
10:30 pm: Willy Jack and the Northern Lights. This Sunbury band jams all types of music, from jazz, funk, rock, and reggae with lots of improv. Willie Jack is in demand on college campuses.
We'll have more on the Dam Show tomorrow -- including information about The Slant's performance.
Thanks to Paul W. Heimel for passing along this information
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