Condensed Rendezvous Packs Punch

Thu., July 27, 2000

By Heather Lalley heatherl@spokesman.com

For the first time in a decade, the Moscow Rendezvous in the Park will take place over three days instead of two weekends.

There’s still the same number of bands, which means more music crammed into less time.

“We did that largely to provide a better package for out-of-town folks,” Rendezvous director Julie Ketchum said. “It serves our local folks better, too.”

This will be the festival’s 18th year. The Rendezvous began after Moscow residents petitioned the city’s arts commission for a summer concert series. A nonprofit group took control of the event in 1990, after it grew too large for the arts commission to handle.

This year’s performers include:

* Saffire the Uppity Blues Women. This saucy female trio wowed a Spokane crowd a few months ago with honky-tonk piano, lively lyrics and fine singing. The women have recorded six albums together and several solo projects.

* File. Pronounced “FEE-lay,” this Louisiana band blends traditional French songs with Cajun and country tunes. The band recently released its fourth CD, “La Vie Marron” (“The Runaway Life”). The five-piece group has been called “one of the best Cajun dance bands in French Louisiana” by The Washington Post.

* Ray Wylie Hubbard. The Texas singer-songwriter gained fame in the 1970s for his uncharacteristic novelty song “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother.” But he’s gone on to release a string of intelligent albums melding folk, country and roots rock, and has been labeled a “honky-tonk hero.”

Also performing at the Rendezvous are gospel group Heartfriends, Cajun band How’s Bayou, country-rock quartet Reckless Kelly, soulful singer Tracy Nelson, and blues group Mark May and the Agitators.

The festival will also include workshops for children and food booths.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IN CONCERT Rendezvous in the Park

Moscow’s Rendezvous in the Park runs today through Saturday at East City Park. The lineup includes: today, 5:15 p.m., Heartfriends; 6:15 p.m., How’s Bayou; 7:45 p.m., File. Friday, 6:15 p.m., Reckless Kelly; 7:45 p.m., Ray Wylie Hubbard. Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Tracy Nelson; 6:15 p.m., Saffire the Uppity Blues Women; 7:45 p.m., Mark May and the Agitators. Tickets for tonight are $8 in advance (available through G&B, 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT) or $12 at the gate. On Friday and Saturday, tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under get in free. All seats are on the lawn.

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