Summer in the City Music Features Musselwhite, 20 Bands

Organizers say 'Summer in the City' is a true family event.

Charlie Musselwhite at Del Mar Blues Festival, By Karen Chambers www.KarenLChambers.com. Courtesy: charliemusselwhite.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Legendary bluesman Charlie Musselwhite will headline the second annual Summer in the City Wine and Music Festival in Downtown Salem Saturday and Sunday. It happens August 15th and 16th.

Local favorites Curtis Salgado, Pepe and the Bottle Blondes, Terry Robb, the $100 Jayhawks, rock violinist Aaron Meyer and Big Monti Amundson are among the 20 musical groups that will perform throughout the weekend to benefit the Marion Polk Food Share.

Twenty Oregon wineries and 16 area restaurants will provide food and refreshments during weekend, which will also include tequila tasting in the Hornitos Garden of Agave, Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments, B Pong competition, sports and BBQ challenges, a children’s entertainment area, and classic car show.

Most of the events take place on Liberty and Court Street pavilions beginning at noon both Saturday and Sunday. A $10 ticket admits one to all events all day Saturday.

Sunday admission is $7.50. And student tickets are $5.

A free Super Sidewalk Sale by Downtown merchants will be staged simultaneously from noon until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, and noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

The Musselwhite band, featuring Tom Waits on vocal, will perform a two hour show at 8:00 p.m. on the main Court Street stage near the corner of High Street.

Registration for the Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, which has a $1,000 first prize, begins at 2:30 p.m., according to Suzi Bicknell, executive director of Go Downtown Salem, organizer of the Summer in the City Event. Pre-registration is available at AbsolutelyTix.com.

“Summer in the City is a true family event,” says Ms. Bicknell, “with fun activities for all ages, including Hula Hoop championships, coconut bowling, beach ball volleyball, bungee racing, flip flop Frisbee competition, Salsa and Latin dance lessons by Mz. Jitterbug, Debra Seeck, plus the B Pong tournaments. Lots of prizes will be awarded, and the events will help raise needed funds for Marion Polk Food Share.”

Attendees at the free Classic Car Show near the Carousel at Riverfront Park are urged to bring canned food donations to use as ballots for the Best of Show automobile. The car show begins at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and will end about 3:00 p.m.

The Saturday performance schedule:

Main Stage
12:00 JR and the Farm
2:00 Meziere Big Band
4:00 Big Monti (Amundson)
6:00 $100 Jayhawks
7:00 Gary Burford Brass Band
8:00 Charlie Musselwhite

Wine Pavilion Stage
12:00 Randy Flook Trio
2:00 Terry Robb
4:00 Captain Banks
6:00 Aaron Meyer

Garden of Agave Stage
12:00 Surf’s Up
1:00 Kola Nuts Percussion Ensemble
2:00 Doc Titus “Party Doctor”
4:00 Rhythm Culture
6:00 Third Editions
8:00 Salsa and Latin Dance Lessons by Mz. Jitterbug, Debra Seeck

The Sunday performance schedule:

Main Stage
12:00 Brothers in Christ
1:00 Sonny Hess & Women in Blues
2:00 Pepe and the Bottle Blondes
4:00 Curtis Salgado

Wine Pavilion Stage
12:00 Neon Jay Kinnie
1:00 Cher and the B-Siders
2:00 Joe Stoddard Band
3:00 Terry Robb

Garden of Agave Stage
12:00 Kola Nuts Percussion Ensemble
1:00 Tommy Hogan and the Killer Bees
2:00 Rhythm Culture
4:00 Doc Titus “Party Doctor”

Here is Charlie Musselwhite with Andrew 'Jr Boy' Jones - guitar, Felton Crews - bass, Tommy Hill - drums, performing "BLUES WHY DO YOU WORRY ME ?"

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