News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Nikki Hill is set to perform at Sisters Rhythm & Blues Festival.
Sisters is getting the blues - in a big way.
On August 3 and 4, the Sisters Rhythm & Brews Festival is bringing a powerhouse line-up of artists to town in a first-time event that also supports vital elements of Sisters' community.
Jen and Joe Rambo have ample experience in the production of musical events; they provide electrical and equipment support to many of Central Oregon's signature events, including the Sisters Folk Festival. This is their first plunge into producing and promoting their own event.
Both are passionate about music, and they had a desire to "bring something a little different to Sisters," as Jen put it. On a trip to the music hub of Telluride, Colorado, they reflected on the possibilities of helping Sisters become such a multi-festival center.
Jen says that the experience has, so far, "been fun; it's been stressful; it's been terrifying."
The line-up itself is exhilarating, featuring some of the most exciting performers in the genre: Walter Trout along with an award-winning lineup, including 2017 Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year Curtis Salgado; 2016 Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Shemekia Copeland; 2016 Album of the Year award-winner The Cedric Burnside Project; the 2014 International Blues Challenge winner Mr. Sipp; as well as former Blues Entertainer of the Year Tommy Castro and the Painkillers.
In a feat of turning lemons into lemonade, the festival lost its headliner John Mayall due to the legendary British bluesman's illness - but managed to replace him with a pretty solid outfit known as Los Lobos.
Festival co-organizer Jennifer Rambo said that the initial news was a blow, and that everyone is concerned about Mayall's well-being first and foremost. When the question turned to how to handle the impact of the cancellation, things lined up brilliantly.
Mayall's agent helped facilitate nailing down a replacement of appropriate stature.
"We got really, really lucky," she said.
She said that she and her partner, Joe, are "really excited" about presenting Los Lobos to a Sisters audience.
Asked what particular performer she is most excited about, Jen responded without hesitation: Nikki Hill.
"She's very high-energy. It's nice to see a strong female in the lead role in her band - and she's the star. And she's young, and adorable, and very talented."
The festival will have a unique feel, with open-air stages at Village Green Park and at Sisters Art Works on Adams Avenue.
"We were wanting a more open feel," Joe Rambo said. At the Village Green "the whole park will be the venue."
The festival is bringing a lot of folks from out of town to Sisters, which the organizers see as a boon to the local economy.
"Over 60 percent of our ticket sales are coming from outside Central Oregon - and a lot of those are from out of state," Joe said.
The Rambos are currently focusing on encouraging local folks to come out for the show, which will directly benefit local organizations. The festival is working closely with Sisters Habitat for Humanity and the Heart of Oregon Youthbuild to help demonstrate their positive impact upon the Sisters community. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to these two organizations (see story, page 10).
Eight local breweries and Bendistillery will be on hand for the festivities, along with a selection of food carts.
The festival will take place at Village Green Park and Sisters Art Works (204 W. Adams Ave.) Friday, August 3, 5 p.m. to midnight; and Saturday, August 4, noon to midnight.
Joe Rambo notes that the festival is trying to be a good neighbor and expects the park to be cleared by midnight.
For tickets and information visit www.sistersrhythmandbrews.com.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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