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Millpond Music Festival a Resounding Success
by Paul Hancock
Dancing, high spirits, music from around the world-- Millpond Music Festival was a grand weekend of entertainment with the Sierra Nevada escarpment for a stage. Held September 17,18, and 19 just north of Bishop, it presented a fine variety of traditional and contemporary music to a bigger than ever audience. Not only live music, but also small workshops with individual performers or combinations from several groups, local artists and craftsmen, fine foods and activities for children were part of the weekend.
Sponsored by the Inyo County Council for the Arts, musicians also visited local schools. Lo-Inyo and Lone Pine High School were treated to performances by the West African Highlife Band, who usually play amplified, high-spirited African rhythms meant for dancing. For the students, they performed songs with acoustic instruments, told about their countries and traditional instruments, and shared songs from their childhood, inviting the students to join in.
David Lindley (most noted as Guitarist for Jackson Brown) photo by Paul Hancock
The Friday night opener featured a fiddlefest starting with Phil Salazar and Jon McCuen. Next came Tom Rigney and his band cooking up "jambalaya jump and alligator boogie" that had the crowd hopping. Followed by Joe Craven Trio and a grand finale of all three fiddlers playing together might have been enough for most. But to top off the evening, we were treated to David Lindley and Wally Ingram, for a unique performance of slide guitar and percussion that had the audience on its feet again.
Saturday featured Che Zero Whiting with personal stories set to guitar and Golden Bough with Celtic tunes, Phil Salazar and Jon McCuen fiddled and crooned, followed by Kristina Olsen and Peter Grayling, an interesting combination of cello and guitar and some great stories, just back from a tour of Australia. Karry Walker, winner of the 1998 Sierra Singer/Songwriter contest shared her original songs. Meanwhile, the Workshop Tent featured the Sierra Rhythm Group who invited everyone to drum along, and Ken Okulolo telling stories of his childhood in West Africa. Golden Bough started of the evening set, followed by the West Africa Highlife Band, Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women and the dynamic Laura Love Band. Saturday night had the biggest crowd ever, but you could still get a close view of the musicians, talk with many of them after their performance, or dance your socks off.
Laura Love & Rod Cook photo by Paul Hancock
Sunday started by highlighting local talent including Charlie Broten, Fiddlin' Pete Watercott and Blue Moon String Band, followed by Laura Love Band. A young and talented group called Galunlati was a pleasant surprise and featured Michael Witcher on dobbro and digeridoo, accompanied by brothers Gabe and Lauren on fiddle, guitar, bass and flute. Michael followed this performance with a dobbro workshop with Fred Travers from Seldom Scene that was awesome to watch and hear. Alex Degrassi was a favorite of the afternoon, both at the Workshop Tent and on the Main Stage, followed by Tish Hinojosa's beautiful voice and music of the southwest. Peter Rowan returned in grand style with a 10 gallon Panama hat and his eloquent voice. He invited Michael Witcher, Tish Hinojosa and drummer Christopher from Gunalati to perform with him. Seldom Scene, a legendary traditional bluegrass band finished the evening with a spirited and skilled performance.
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend with opportunities to enjoy all the Eastern Sierra has to offer in scenic views and great fall weather while listening to music both local and world renowned--a special opportunity to have it all at our doorstep. If you missed the festival, be sure to plan on attending next year. Nancy Talent, Inyo Council for the Arts Council members, and many community volunteers and organizations work all year to make this festival possible and well organized. They are to be commended for their hard work. Check out their website at www.inyo.org for information about next year and the many other events and activities sponsored by the council.
Above article copyright Time Link 1998
Last modified on Sunday, October 25, 1998
| © Time Link 1998 | Author Dale Kay |