First off, I’m really digging the North Star Craft Brewery’ s beer. I’m likin’ the Pango, Bright and IPA.
Secondly, I’m very impressed with the music that brewery owner Shawn Sease is bringing into the north state this summer.
The big date to remember next month is July 18, where the Shasta Lake brewery will host its Summerfest event, featuring five bands including Poor Man’s Whiskey, Blue Turtle Seduction, 2Me, Freddy Diablo and his Victims and (in an after party in the tap room) The Last Ambassadors.
Poor Man’s Whiskey at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco
I recently saw the San Francisco band Poor Man’s Whiskey at the Strawberry Music Festival, and I noticed they’re playing the Kate Wolf and High Sierra music festivals. It’s a high-quality act featuring some super-nice folks in the band (they camped right next to us at Strawberry).
Should be a fine day of music and there are some shade trees at the brewery to beat the heat.
Coming up in the brewery’s tap room are:
• Wednesday, July 1 – Greensky Bluegrass from Kalamzoo, Mich. (bluegrass/folk/acoustic)
Performing at High Sierra Music Festival and winners of the 2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition.
• Thursday, July 9 – Pete Herzog from Trail, Ore. (blues/roots/Americana). A Solo “Homestyle Blues” guitarist/vocalist.
• Friday, July 10 – Gigi Love from Durango, CO (Americana/folk/blues). Gigi Love and guitar player Michael Coble are performing at the Kate Wolfe festival.
• July 11 – Absynth Quintet from Humboldt Co. (jazzy/gypsy/jamgrass).
• July 17 – Your Divine Tragedy from Seattle, WA (rock/metal/alternative).
• July 21 – O.T.S. from Santa Cruz (jam band/funk/jazz/fusion)
• July 24 – The Bucky Walters from Arcata, CA (bluegrass/acoustic/roots).
• July 25 – Thick Soup from Stockton/Sacramento, CA (fusion/roots/jazz/blues/bluegrass)
• July 28 – Sprout from Saginaw, MI (jam band/western swing/funk)
• July 30 – Tom Savell Band from Scotts Valley, CA (rock/pop/progressive).
That’s a lot of music for July, and August is packed as well. Check out the brewery’s website calender for August’s shows.
In September (the 12th), North Star is combining forces with the Honey Bee Festival to present a lineup of music featuring six bands. San Francisco’s Ten Mile Tide and Seattle’s The Acorn Project are on that bill (also, my band and Wild Bill and the Mud Whompers).
In October, there are two huge shows. Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings are performing what promises to be a great blues show on Oct. 3.
Floater
Then, the alternative rock band Floater is performing on Oct. 17. You may not have heard of Floater, but check in with someone in their 20s. This band has a huge underground following and has played some wild shows in Chico. People will travel here from out of town and this show will likely sell out.
Rock on North Star Brewery!
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What kind of town is Redding? A ZZ Top town, that’s for sure. The people love classic cars, “Legs” and Billy Gibbons. The show is Aug. 18. The tickets are $77.
The show at the 2,000-seat Redding Convention Center is almost sold out.
Wow. Make that double wow.
They should add another night.
