News From Britt Hill – July 2019

What you might be missing…

Oh my, it’s July! The epicenter of summer and picnic weather. We kick-off July 1st and 2nd with blockbusters, Kris Kristofferson and Michael Franti. And who doesn’t know the masterful work of Dwight Yoakam, the iconic band Chicago and Jackson Browne? So let’s discuss some of our lesser known and very skilled artists. They come to the Britt stage with our highest recommendations. Surely one or more of these acts is worth discovering!

Umphrey’s McGee, Friday July, 5:00-7:00pm—Come early and enjoy this American rock band from South Bend, Indiana. The band experiments with many styles, including rock, metal, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, electronic, bluegrass, and folk. Truly talented, they have appeared in the past on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” alongside Huey Lewis, and have been featured at many of the major U.S. festivals throughout the summer. This concert is my son’s number one pick of the season.

These next two bands feature virtuoso women musicians and mix in the roots of acoustic music with a new modern sound.

Mandolin Orange, Saturday, July 6, 7:30pm—Mandolin Orange is an Americana/folk duo. The group was formed in 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and consists of the group’s songwriter Andrew Marlin (vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo) and Emily Frantz (vocals, violin, guitar). Mandolin Orange has produced five albums of Marlin’s original works of American roots music. In the last three years, the group has toured throughout the U.S and Europe, including appearances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival. You won’t be disappointed! Sit back and let the beautiful acoustics of the Britt venue resonate with this skilled fleet-fingered duo.

And speaking of nimble fingers, Rodrigo & Gabriela return, Thursday, July 18, 7:30pm—Whether you have had the riveting pleasure of seeing them before or are coming for the first time—you will be jaw-droppingly entertained. Reviewing one of their gigs, The Independent noted that, “Rodrigo y Gabriela’s secret is maybe quite simple. They are resourceful musicians, and are open-hearted, happy entertainers.” Rod & Gab are influenced by a number of genres including nuevo flamenco, rock, and heavy metal. And they make it work and work hard! They have released five studio albums, three live albums and one EP, and have performed at the White House.

The last week of July, the Britt Festival Orchestra begins, opening with a family night on Tuesday, July 23. In late July, you can checkout Teddy’s Discovery Tuesday’s on KOBI, Channel 5 as they are running a great ad campaign featuring Teddy!

Take a chance on some artists that you are not familiar with and check them out at www.brittfest.org. I believe you will be surprised and impressed. See you on the Hill!