Festival at Sandpoint kicks off tonight
<p>Sandpoint's Kyle McAvoy drives in a tent stake Wednesday night at War Memorial Field, as the Festival at Sandpoint venue was buzzing with workers taking care of the final preparations. "We're" dialed in this year; half a day ahead of normal," said Rug Ruskie, stage manager at the Festival for more than 20 years. "A really good, smart and hard working crew."</p>
SANDPOINT - The tent is up, there are taste treats aplenty on Festival Row, and volunteers are primed and ready for action.
That means only one thing - it's time for another great season at the Festival at Sandpoint as the annual summer concert series kicks off tonight with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
"It's just going to be a great show," said Dyno Wahl, Festival at Sandpoint executive director. "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is one of the best live shows anyone can see."
The multi-platinum Big Bad Voodoo Daddy exploded onto the forefront of the music world in 1996 when their exuberant style was immortalized with hits "You and Me and a Bottle Make Three (Tonight)" and "Go Daddy-O."
They have played the White House, the Orange and Super Bowls, The Tonight and Late Shows, mixing energetic originals with souped-up versions of older classics. Their eighth studio album, How Big Can You Get? A Tribute to Cab Calloway, captures the essence of an American icon in a rowdy celebration of musicianship, mischief, genius, street smarts and fun.
The popular local band, Tennis, will open the show. The Festival's traditional red-carpet welcome and complimentary glass of champagne for every Festival fan that evening will add to the exciting Opening Night festivities.
Tickets are $34.95 and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
The concert is one of the best live shows around, Wahl said.
With Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's big sounds, a great horn section and swinging music, she said concertgoers will have a hard time sitting still and predicted packed dance sections.
"Everyone is going to leave the field feeling really good and energized," she added.
Adding to the excitement is the fact that it's opening night where concertgoers are greeted by a red carpet and a champagne for those old enough.
"I think there's always a real sense of excitement about opening night, no matter what the group is," Wahl said. "There's a real sense of excitement and fun."
Overall, Wahl said the Festival season is shaping up to be a great one with one sell-out already on the books. That concert - Michael Franti - set a record by selling out more than a week ahead of time.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert is close to selling out and several others also are doing well, including Brandi Carlile, an up-and-coming talent attracting a lot of attention; and Keb' Mo', who can take control of a 3,500 seat venue and deliver a great concert.
Information: festivalatsandpoint.com