GET OUT: Spring and summer festivals, concert series offer outdoor opportunities for live music

By Steve Wildsmith
of The Daily Times Staff

With the announcement of the lineup for this year’s Sundown in the City concert season and the recent arrival of spring, it’s time to start thinking about getting outdoors.

To say that it’s been a long, cold winter is a bit melodramatic; after all, winters in East Tennessee have been mild of late. But when surrounded by so much natural beauty, East Tennesseans naturally gravitate outdoors when the mercury climbs above 60 degrees. Perhaps that’s one reason the archetypal image of sitting on the front porch or around a campfire, picking an instrument with friends, is so closely associated with the Great Smoky Mountains.

Whatever the case may be, area organizers have plenty of festivals and concert series on tap for the coming months. Here’s what’s in store for music lovers who prefer their tunes outdoors:

CONCERT SERIES

Sundown in the City
WHAT: A free weekly concert series put on by AC Entertainment, the driving force behind mega-festival Bonnaroo
WHEN: 6-10 p.m. Thursday nights, April 17 through July 3
WHERE: Market Square, downtown Knoxville
PERFORMERS: April 17, Galactic; April 24, Susan Tedeschi; May 1, Umphrey’s McGee; May 8, Josh Ritter with The Hackensaw Boys (double bill); May 15, North Mississippi Allstars; May 22, The Presidents of the United States of America; May 29, Robert Earl Keen; June 5, to be announced; June 12, Citizen Cope; June 19, Marc Broussard; June 26, The Everybodyfields; July 3, Wild Magnolias
HOW MUCH: Free
ONLINE: www.sundowninthecity.com

‘The Shed’ High Life Series
WHAT: Weekly music concert series at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, held in the covered pavilion adjacent to the dealership
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday nights starting April 12 and running through October
WHERE: 1820 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville
PERFORMERS: April 12, Cruz Contreras and Jay Clark; April 19, Michelle Malone and porterdavis; May 10 (at 7 p.m.), Jenna and the Joneses with Soulfinger; May 17, Kincaid with The House Band; May 24, Blue Mother Tupelo with the T. West Band; July 5 (at 8 p.m.), The Mulch Brothers; July 19 (at 8 p.m.), Damon Fowler; Aug. 2, Mic Harrison and The High Score with the Tim Lee 3; Aug. 9 (at 8 p.m.), Jescoe; Aug. 23 (at 8 p.m.), Stacie Collins; Aug. 24 (at 8 p.m.) Jamie McLean
HOW MUCH: Free unless noted otherwise
SPECIAL CONCERTS: May 2 and 3, “Smoky Mountain High Life Shed Bash,” featuring Hayseed Dixie at 7:30 p.m. May 2 and Ray Wylie Hubbard with Jimmy Davis at 7:30 p.m. May 3; tickets are $13 per show or $20 for a two-day pass ... Smoky Mountain Animal Center Benefit Concert featuring Tres Hombres (a ZZ Top cover band) with The Bearded at 7 p.m. May 9; admission is $10 ... the annual Tennessee State H.O.G. Rally, featuring Bonepony with The Dirty Guv’nahs at 6:30 p.m. June 5 ($5), Cross Canadian Ragweed with Caddle at 7:30 p.m. June 6 ($20) and Big Gun (an AC/DC tribute band) at 8 p.m. June 7 ($5) ... the Susan G. Komen Rumble for the Cure benefit concert at 6 p.m. June 14 featuring RobinElla with Sam and Ruby and the Dreadful Hillbillies; $20 per bike/$12.50 per person for non-riders ... the Save Chilhowee Mountain Benefit concert featuring The Earl Brothers, Scott McMahan and Friends, Garage DeLuxe and more at 6:30 p.m. June 21, $10 ... Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson anniversary party featuring the Kentucky Headhunters at 8 p.m. Aug. 30; $13 ($8 for biker ride-ups)
CALL: 977-1669
ONLINE: www.smh-d.com/shed.php

WDVX Americana Music Series
WHAT: Special ticketed concerts held at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, featuring nationally recognized singer-songwriters and performers
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., various dates throughout spring and summer
WHERE: “The Shed” at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, 1820 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville
PERFORMERS: April 26, Scott Miller and the Commonwealth with Caddle; May 31, Todd Snider with Garrison Starr; June 28, Billy Joe Shaver with Mic Harrison and The High Score; July 12, John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties with Jay Clark and Friends; July 26, The Hackensaw Boys with the Maid Rite String Band; Aug. 16, Mary Gauthier with Erick Baker
HOW MUCH: $13 ($8 for bikers who ride up to the gate)
CALL: 977-1669
ONLINE: www.smh-d.com/shed.php, www.wdvx.com

Sunset Concert Series
WHAT: Evening concerts in the amphitheater against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains in Townsend
WHEN: 7 p.m., June 20-Oct. 11
WHERE: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, 123 Cromwell Drive, Townsend
PERFORMERS: June 20, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker; June 27, Ghost Mountain Rhythm and Blues; July 18, Blue Mother Tupelo; July 25, Labron Lazenby and LA3; Aug. 1, Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle; Oct. 4, Wild Blue Yonder; Oct. 11, Jenna and the Joneses
HOW MUCH: $4 per person
CALL: 448-0044
ONLINE: www.gsmheritagecenter.org

FESTIVALS

Rockin’ Womyn’s Music Festival
WHAT: A celebration of women and the arts and a fund-raiser for the Family Justice Center
WHEN: 1-10 p.m. April 6
WHERE: Market Square, downtown Knoxville
PERFORMERS: Singer-songwriters Brandy Robinson, Vicki Blankenship, Karen E. Reynolds; the band Hudson K; and more
HOW MUCH: Free
CALL: 773-6673
ON THE WEB: www.myspace.com/rockinwomynsmusicfestival

Knoxville Opera’s Rossini Festival
WHAT: To “bring a taste of Europe to East Tennessee and celebrate the color, fun and excitement of opera and Italian culture”
WHEN: April 18-20
WHERE: Performances of the opera “Tosca” will take place at 8 p.m. April 18 and 2:30 p.m. April 20 at The Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. in downtown Knoxville; the festival’s Italian Street Fair will take place all day on April 19 along Gay Street in downtown Knoxville
ACTIVITIES: An Artisan’s Market, three stages of entertainment, Mediterranean food and beverages, children’s activities and more
HOW MUCH: Tickets to the opera performances range from $15-$88; admission to the Italian Street Fair is free
CALL: 524-0795
ON THE WEB: www.knoxvilleopera.com/rossini/

Earthfest 2008
WHAT: An annual celebration of Earth Day to promote environmental awareness and opportunities for individuals “to reduce their environmental footprint on East Tennessee”
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 26
WHERE: The Hardin Valley Road campus of Pellissippi State Technical and Community College in Knoxville
PERFORMERS: The MacDaddies, The Dirty Guv’nahs, Lofash, Jodie Manross, Wires and Wood, Four Leaf Peat, The Road Scholars, West Side Cats
OTHER ACTIVITIES: A film room, a silent auction, a mercury thermometer exchange, a performance of Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax,” a compost bin sale and more
HOW MUCH: Free
CALL: 525-9694
ON THE WEB: www.knox-earthfest.org

The Sixth Annual Taste of East Tennessee
WHAT: A day of fun, music and entertainment as local restaurants, caterers and chefs prepare and offer their wares to the public
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 26
WHERE: World’s Fair Park, downtown Knoxville
ACTIVITIES: Various food-related sales and live music from local performers, including singer-songwriter Brandy Robinson
HOW MUCH: Free; food tickets are $1 each
ON THE WEB: www.wtnzfox43.com

The 16th Annual Townsend in the Smokies Spring Festival and Old Timers Day
WHAT: A celebration of mountain life and Appalachian music, culture and the arts
WHEN: April 25-27 and May 2-3
WHERE: The Great Smoky Mountains Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend
ACTIVITIES: Craft demonstrations and sales, live music, storytelling, an antique engine and tractor show, food, children’s activities and more
HOW MUCH: Free
CALL: 448-6134
ON THE WEB: www.smokymountains.org

The Big BBQ Bash
WHAT: Sponsored by Leadership Blount, the event celebrates barbecue and features live music, cooking contests and more to benefit the Blount Community Campus, a centralized location for various social services
WHEN: Starting at noon May 10
WHERE: Springbrook Corporate Center (adjacent to the Alcoa Public Works building), Alcoa
PERFORMERS: The Backseat Delilahs and the Can’t Hardly Play Boys (noon); Blue Mother Tupelo (1:30 p.m.), Soulfinger (4 p.m.), The Retroholics (at 6 p.m.)
HOW MUCH: Free to attend
ONLINE: www.blountbbqbash.com

Vestival 2008
WHAT: A celebration of the arts and culture of South Knoxville
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 10
WHERE: The old Candoro Marble Company (on the corner of Candora Avenue and Maryville Pike in the Vestal community)
PERFORMERS: Phil Pollard and His Band of Humans, The Tennessee Sheiks, Jake Winstrom (of The Tenderhooks), The Ghosts, Karen Reynolds, John Myers, Clearbranch, the Johnson Swing Quartet, Los Breakfast Meats
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors, food, children’s activities, and a Mother’s Day brunch at 11 a.m.
HOW MUCH: Free
CALL: 579-7555
ON THE WEB: www.myspace.com/vestival

Bloomin’ Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival
WHAT: A family festival celebrating spring, barbecue and music
WHEN: May 16-17
WHERE: Downtown Sevierville
PERFORMERS: May 16 (music begins at 5 p.m.), Just Us Bluegrass Band, Shadow Ridge, Cadillac Sky, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time; May 17 (music begins at 2 p.m.), Trey Hensley, Cumberland Gap, Dave Peterson and 1946, Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, Brad Walker, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Food, children’s events, arts and crafts and more
HOW MUCH: Free
CALL: (865) 453-6411
ON THE WEB: www.bloominbbq.com

Maple Lane Farms Strawberry Jam Festival
WHAT: Music and strawberry festival
WHEN: May 16 and 17
WHERE: Maple Lane Farms, off Morganton Road eight miles past Foothills Mall, Greenback
PERFORMERS: May 16, a Big Band/swing night with a little rock ‘n’ roll, according to Maple Lane owner Bob Schmidt; May 17 will be a bluegrass day. Confirmed acts include Pine Mountain Railroad
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Face-painting, rock-climbing, strawberry-picking, hot air balloons, carnival rides, food and more; Saturday will include a special tribute to the armed forces
HOW MUCH: To be determined (last year’s admission was $10 per adult)
CALL: 856-3511
ON THE WEB: www.berryjamfestival.com

Get Outdoors Festival
WHAT: An event for outdoor enthusiasts, competitive and recreational athletes and families interested in fitness
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17
WHERE: World’s Fair Park, downtown Knoxville
ACTIVITIES: Family oriented activities and hands-on demonstrations in a variety of sports, from disc golf to fly fishing to skateboarding and rock climbing will be available; music by The Dirty Guv’nahs and more
HOW MUCH: Free
CALL: 215-6607
ONLINE: www.knoxcounty.org/parks/index.php

Wakin’ the Dragon Biker Rally 2008
WHAT: A motorcycle rally with live music
WHEN: June 6-7
WHERE: Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort, 7304 Old Railroad Bed Road, Maryville
PERFORMERS: Geneva; others to be announced
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Contests, vendors, food, parties, tattoos, body piercing, more
HOW MUCH: To be determined (last year, admission was $25)
CALL: 856-7244
ON THE WEB: www.wakinthedragonbikerrally.com

Bonnaroo 2008
WHAT: The biggest and most-anticipated music festival in the nation
WHEN: June 12-15
WHERE: On a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn.
PERFORMERS: Pearl Jam, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Kanye West, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Phil Lesh and Friends, My Morning Jacket, The Raconteurs, Willie Nelson, the Allman Brothers Band, Mastodon, the Drive-By Truckers, Cat Power, Sigur Ros, Death Cab for Cutie, Ozomatli, Ben Folds, Iron and Wine, B.B. King, M.I.A., Yonder Mountain String Band, Minus the Bear, Vampire Weekend, Little Feat, The Disco Biscuits, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Susan Tedeschi’s and Derek Truck’s Soul Stew Revival, Broken Social Scene, Lupe Fiasco, Against Me!, Umphrey’s McGee, Stephen Marley, Rilo Kiley, Aimee Mann, the Avett Brothers, Robert Randolph’s Revival, Talib Kweli and more
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Arts, camping and more
HOW MUCH: $275.45 for a four-day pass
ON THE WEB: www.bonnaroo.com

The Secret City Festival
WHAT: Celebration of all things Oak Ridge
WHEN: June 20-21
WHERE: City-wide; performances take place in Bissell Park at the Oak Ridge Civic Center
PERFORMERS: June 20, The Turtles with Dave Landeo; June 21, Mary Wilson of The Supremes with Larry Blair and LB1 (live music begins at 7 p.m. on the 15th and 16th)
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors, food, children’s activities, more
HOW MUCH: $20 per concert or $30 for both if purchased by June 13
CALL: (865) 425-3610
ON THE WEB: www.secretcityfestival.com

Little Tennessee River Music Festival
WHAT: Fund-raiser to benefit the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and the Monroe Area Council for the Arts
WHEN: June 28
WHERE: Sequoyah Birthplace Museum Amphitheater, Highway 360, Vonore
PERFORMERS: To be announced
HOW MUCH: To be determined (admission in previous years has been $10)
CALL: (423) 884-6246
ON THE WEB: www.sequoyahmuseum.org

Want your festival information listed in a future edition of Weekend? E-mail all information to: steve.wildsmith@thedailytimes.com