Sandpoint, Sinatra, shooting stars
The Festival at Sandpoint is a midsummer institution around these parts, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t use a brush-up course.
So, as you prepare to hear Lou Rawls sing the songs of Sinatra tonight (the first in the eight-concert schedule), remember these festival tips:
• Arrive early to stake out the best lawn spots. In general, gates open 90 minutes before show time.
• Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, or rent one at the event. (Low-slung chairs are allowed closer to the stage than the full-sized variety, but space is limited; arrive early or you’ll be stuck in back with the big chairs.)
• Or, if you prefer, sit in the grandstand behind the lawn area.
• Have dinner at the concert. The event has a mini-restaurant fair called Festival Street, consisting of a line of food booths featuring cuisine both high and low. The huckleberry parfaits are legendary. (Beverages, including beer and wine, are also for sale on site.)
• Or if you prefer, bring a picnic baskets or cooler from home.
• Watch for the osprey overhead.
• Keep an eye out for shooting stars.
• Bring a sweater even if you don’t think you’ll need one. The nights can chill down quickly.
So, now that you’re back in festival mode, here’s a brief rundown on the first week of concerts:
Lou Rawls, tonight, 7:30 ($29.07): During his heyday in the ‘60s, Rawls was not exactly known as a Sinatra-style crooner; he was more of a smooth R&B man turned tasteful jazz singer. But with that butterscotch voice of his, he should have no trouble doing the “Rawls Sings Sinatra” part of his set. He’ll also sing his own hits, including “Love is a Hurtin’ Thing” and “A Natural Man,” backed by a 14-piece band.
Jim Messina, Friday, 7:30 p.m. ($26.95): Messina is best known for the 1972 hit “Your Mama Don’t Dance (and Your Daddy Don’t Rock ‘n’ Roll)” when he was paired with Kenny Loggins. But boomers also remember him as an important part of Buffalo Springfield (though probably not as important as Stephen Stills and Neil Young). Then he went on to further success with Poco, an influential country-rock band. Expect to hear music from every part of Messina’s career.
Super Country Saturday with Dierks Bentley and Delbert McClinton, Saturday, 6 p.m. ($37.55): This show pairs a new Nashville sensation, Bentley, with one of the old warhorses of bluesy country-rock, McClinton. Bentley had a recent chart-topper with “What Was I Thinkin’.” McClinton has been a Texas institution for decades, and is known for his 1992 duet “Good Man, Good Woman” with Bonnie Raitt. Yet his roots go back all the way to the early ‘60s. He is even credited with teaching the blues harp, while on tour in Europe, to a young musician in Britain: John Lennon.
Family Concert with the Spokane Youth Orchestra, Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ($5.80): The theme is “Music From Outer Space” and the selections will include Holst’s “The Planets,” Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony and music from John Williams’ “Star Wars” scores. The gates open at 4:30 p.m. for the pre-concert activities, which include the Classical Instrument Petting Zoo, games and face-painting. The concert itself gets under way at about 6:30.
The festival continues in its second week with Bruce Cockburn on Aug. 12, Buddy Guy on Aug. 13, BeauSoleil and Marcia Ball on Aug. 14 and the Spokane Symphony on Aug. 15.