BY
BILL BRADLEY
The last bash of the summer is kicking into high gear as
Summerfest gets ready to rock the Nickel City next weekend.
"We offer a complete weekend of music both for the fans, the
community and the musicians themselves. Summerfest is last big
outdoor bash of the summer, that's why it is such an event,"
says promoter Vic Theriault.
The evening headliners encompass a wide range of musical
genres and appeal to all age groups.
"We kick it off Thursday at Bell Park from 6 pm with an
all-ages night, which includes seven to 10 punk and metal
bands, including unique headliners Wolven Ancestry, along with
Wrong Formula, a hot new act, and favourites High Deafinition
and all-girl band Betty Beats Veronica," says Theriault.
"On Friday evening, the main music festival begins at 6 pm
with a host of local bands. The East Coast band, the Trews,
headlines the night.
"The Trews played to a sold-out crowd at the Towne House for
two nights last winter. Best of all, two other out of town
bands, Rocketface and Idle Sons, open up for them. They
themselves are worth the ticket price," says Theriault.
"Next day the gates open at noon with more local bands. In
fact, we have 300 local musicians participating throughout the
weekend. Not only is that good for the musicians because there
are no auditions required…but it is good for us because it
brings in their friends and families," he says.
Saturday night the venerable Canadian rock band, April Wine, with special guest Johnny Williams, headlines.
Another hot local band playing is Tightrope.
"They specialize in the Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughn and
the lead guitarist, A.J. Lane, is up to the challenge.
Tightrope played at Blues For Food in June and surprised a
lot of people. I hear some people decided to stick around for
more acts after they heard Lane play his big black Fender
Stratocaster guitar," he said.
Sunday night finishes with the ever-popular Downchild Blues
Band, complete with Mr. Downchild himself.
"They are Canadian blues icons and were here a few years
back for Blues For Food in Memorial Park."
Individual tickets for Friday and Saturday night are $19.08.
Sunday night tickets for Downchild are $15.90. Day passes are
$6 for adults and $3 for children under 10 years.
Weekend passes are $47.70.
Tickets are available at Black Cat Too downtown on Durham
St., Jett Landry Music on Lasalle Blvd., Guitar Clinic on
Barrydowne Rd. and Music Al on Errington St. in Chelmsford.
Visit www.sudburysummerfest.org for more information.
