Celebrate Music American Music Festival Brings Hot Acts For Weekend Of Fun

The American Music Festival, Spokane’s new Fourth of July festival, makes its debut in Riverfront Park today and continues through Sunday.

The festival is about American music, the dozens of genres this country has given birth to over the years. Jazz, the blues, rock, zydeco, Cajun music, country, funk and soul and R&B are represented by 18 bands, both national and local.

Among the highlights are Chris Isaak (Saturday), the Platters with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra (tonight), Geno Delafose (Saturday, the Dirty Dozen and Tower of Power (both on Friday).

In addition to the music, the American Music Festival offers a variety of other attractions, such as a food court featuring local restaurants, a beer and wine garden and a festival store.

Tonight will be punctuated by a fireworks spectacular. A bouquet of color, fire and light will blossom over the park. In honor of the year, 1,996 pyrotechnics will be launched - the largest fireworks display the park has ever produced. The show starts at dark (approximately 10 p.m.).

Of course, the other entertainment will be ongoing throughout the day.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (All events free except Chris Isaak concert.) TODAY Clocktower Meadow Festival Stage 11 a.m. Alex Bedini, jazz guitar 1:30 p.m. Jim Boyd & Rez Bound, Native American rock 4 p.m. Grant Smith & Doug Johnson, blues duo 5:30 p.m. Inland Empire Brass, brass band Clocktower/IMAX Meadows Children’s Parformer Noon-4 p.m. Jason Garfield, juggler/clown Lilac Bowl Beverage Garden (must be at least 21) 3, 6:30, 10:30 p.m. Ben and Don, ‘30s, ‘40s popular music Lilac Bowl Festival Stage 7:30 p.m. Official greeting 8 p.m. Spokane Jazz Orchestra, big band music 8:45 p.m. The Platters, ‘50’s and ‘60s hits, with Spokane Jazz Orchestra 9:45 p.m. Fireworks

FRIDAY Clocktower Meadow Festival Stage 11 a.m. Night Wind, country 2 p.m. 96 Frog FM Showdown (country talent show contest) 5:30 p.m. Dirty Dozen, Dixieland jazz 8 p.m. Tower of Power, urban/ soul music

SATURDAY Clocktower Meadow Festival Stage 11:30 a.m. Group du Jour, folk 1:30 p.m. Mama’s Dogma, jazz i 4:30 p.m. Geno Delafose, zydeco Lilac Bowl Festival Stage 8 p.m. Chris Isaak, with Patti Rothberg opening, contemporary rock. Admission: $22.50.

SUNDAY Clocktower Meadow Festival Stage 11:30 a.m. Hall & Nixon, oldies 1 p.m. Etouffee, Cajun boogie 4 p.m. Too Slim and the Taildraggers, blues