UPPER LAKE — Beneath the sycamore trees and white string lights, the third night of the annual Blue Wing Blues Festival took place on Sunday in the garden between the Tallman Hotel and the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant.
Blues guitarist Barry “Big B” Brenner opened for a performance by Steve Young and the Rhumba Bums; both had guests out of their seats and dancing throughout the courtyard.
Upon entering the festival, guests were personally escorted to their tables, which were set with candles atop white table cloths. The intimate setting had a feeling of serenity with the water fountain centered in the garden.
Brenner played more than an hour, referring to his regular and metal resonator guitars as his “four working girls.” He played an assortment of original tunes as well as several blues classics during his set.
Bernie Butcher, owner of the Tallman Hotel and the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant in Upper Lake, circulated through the crowd during the evening.
Butcher spoke several times throughout the event, making it a point to individually thank the sponsors which made the event possible. During the opening set, he walked from table to table, inviting guests to enjoy the gourmet barbecue, giving the event an exclusive and comfortable feel, almost as if the guest were in their own home.
After a short break, the headliners for the evening, Steve Young and the Rhumba Bums, performed.
The Bay Area band featured blues from the 1930s and 1940s. Steve Lucky played the keyboard, while Carmen Getit was guitar and vocals.
The event, now in its seventh year, continues Sept. 2 with Ladies Day. Opening that evening will be the “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” with Wendy DeWitt backed by Kirk Harwood on percussion. Dewitt is followed by a six-piece, all-female Girls Got the Blues band led by Lara Price and featuring vocalist Pam Hawkins, Nancy Wright on saxophone and Janice Maxie Reid on keyboards.
Tickets are limited to 100 and may be purchased directly at the Tallman Hotel, located on Main Street in Upper Lake, or by calling the hotel reception desk at 275-2244 ext. 0. Tickets cost $50 plus tax if purchased in advance or $55 at the door. For information visit www.TallmanHotel.com.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and performances begin at 5:45 p.m. Tickets, which include a barbecue dinner, cost $50 plus tax in advance and $55 at the gate.
Amber Dems is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. She can be reached at 263-5636, ext. 39, at adems@record-bee.com or follow her on twitter @AmberLeeDems.
