Sandpoint Set To Encounter Root Awakening

The Festival at Sandpoint will hold its first Full Moon Mountain Fest this Saturday.

And what better way to celebrate a full moon and the beautiful Schweitzer Mountain summer than with the dance-happy sounds of reggae.

Root Awakening, a five-piece band based in Santa Cruz, Calif., will break out the Jamaican rhythms at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

The band, which features four-part harmonies and musicians from the United States and the Caribbean, is made up of saxophonist Wes Anthony, bassist Herb Daly, keyboardist/vocalist John Nevin, guitarist David “Roots” Yusem and percussionist Cedric Angila.

Tickets are $6. One free chair lift ride on Saturday or Sunday is included with the purchase of each ticket.

Gates at Schweitzer Mountain Resort open at 5:30 p.m. with the opening act, Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips, performing at 6 p.m. Root Awakening follows at 7 p.m.

Audience members may bring coolers with food, but no alcohol or glass containers will be allowed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Of course, this is just the beginning of the summer musical lineup.

Scheduled later this summer are: The Doobie Brothers (July 30), Martina McBride (July 31), George Benson (Aug. 1), Booker T. Jones & the Blind Boys of Alabama (Aug. 2), Umo Ensemble (Aug. 3), John Prine (Aug. 7) John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (Aug. 8) and Maestro Gunther Schuller and the Spokane Symphony (Aug. 9)

Tickets are available at The Festival at Sandpoint (Suite 207 of The Old Power House, 888-265-4554), Schweitzer Mountain Resort, The Pend Oreille Brewing Co., G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, or call (800) 325-SEAT.

For more information, check out the festival’s Internet page at www.keokee.com/festival.

, DataTimes