The Festival at Sandpoint celebrates its 33rd annual summer concert series Aug. 6-16. Enjoy eight nights of music under the stars on the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho. The season serves up an eclectic line-up of classic favorites and progressive artists, including headliners Arlo Guthrie, Ziggy Marley, Vince Gill, Lake Street Dive, Trampled By Turtles, The Devil Makes Three, and Wilco.
Aug. 6: American folk music treasure Arlo Guthrie opens the festival. As a singer, songwriter, and lifelong social activist, Guthrie carries on the legacy of his legendary father, Woody Guthrie. Guitarist Jonatha Brooke returns to the Festival to open for Guthrie. Her 2008 album “The Works” pairs her original music with previously unheard lyrics from Woody Guthrie’s journals. Tickets are $44.95. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 7: The festival presents reggae and world music icon Ziggy Marley. The oldest son of the late reggae legend Bob Marley, Ziggy has toured the world performing his Grammy Award-winning music, which is imbued with social awareness and driving compassion. The Maw Band opens for Marley with infectious, acoustic-driven rock tunes. Tickets are $59.95, with an additional $1 for each ticket sold going towards Ziggy’s charity, U.R.G.E., to benefit children in developing nations. Doors open at 6:00 PM, concert starts at 7:30 PM.
Aug. 8: Country Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Vince Gill headlines a “Super Country Saturday.” Gill has recorded more than 20 studio albums, charted over 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard charts, and sold more than 26 million albums. Also playing is The Barefoot Movement, award winners at the 2013 Telluride Bluegrass Festival, who draw from styles of bluegrass, folk, acoustic rock and Americana. Sandpoint local Troy Bullock rounds out the evening with a high-energy country performance that rocked stages in Nashville and Las Vegas. Tickets are $54.95. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the music starts at 6:00 p.m.
Aug. 9: The young and young at heart will enjoy the Family Concert “Season’s Greetings” (as in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) featuring the Festival Community Orchestra and Sandpoint’s Studio One Dancers. Pre-concert activities include the Instrument Petting Zoo, an animal petting zoo, pony rides, clowns, face painting, games galore, and the popular Parents’ Corner where moms and dads receive a complimentary mini-massage. Tickets are $6.00. Activities begin at 2:30 p.m. and the musical performance starts at 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 13: Enjoy the indie pop, jazz and soul band Lake Street Dive. The unique and talented group, based in Brooklyn, is influenced by classic pop and swing-era jazz. Their infectious, reinvented covers prompted Rolling Stone Magazine to cite them as Ten New Artists You Need to Know. The Ballroom Thieves open with their captivating mélange of acoustic styles. Tickets are $36.95. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 14: Progressive bluegrass co-headliners The Devil Makes Three and Trampled By Turtles are sure to please. The Devil Makes Three is an Americana band from Santa Cruz, California, blending bluegrass, old time, country, folk, blues, jazz, ragtime, and rockabilly music. Trampled By Turtles is a hot, fast-pickin’ bluegrass/folk-rock band from Duluth, Minnesota. Both bands have garnered plenty of national attention. Tickets are $44.95. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 15: The second Saturday at the festival stars experimental folk and alternative rock band Wilco, formed in 1994 by the remaining members of the popular alternative country group Uncle Tupelo. With lead singer Jeff Tweedy at the helm, Wilco draws influence from alt country, The Beatles, Beach Boys harmonies, classic pop and more. Vetiver, an indie folk/jam band, joins Wilco on their summer tour. Sandpoint’s homegrown rock-inspired duo Owen & McCoy opens, performing original music and covers of classic rock, blues and folk songs. Tickets are $59.95. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the music starts at 6:00 p.m.
Aug. 16: The Grand Finale Concert: Viva Italia! features the Spokane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Gary Sheldon. Jazz pianist Vadim Neselovskyi will make his world premiere at this concert. The annual “Taste of the Stars” Wine Tasting precedes the concert, complimentary for all concert-goers over the age of 21. This concert is also part of the festival’s 5th Grade Music Outreach Program, and includes a performance by the festival’s Music Scholarship award winner. A fireworks finale closes the season.Tickets are $39.95 for adults and $10.95 for youth under 18. Gates open early at 4:30 p.m. for the wine tasting event. Concert starts at 7:30 PM.
All tickets are available for purchase at www.FestivalAtSandpoint.com, by calling (888) 265-4554, at the Festival at Sandpoint Office (525 Pine Street), and at all TicketsWest locations.