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| The Pablo Sextet |
The Independent
As spring turns to summer, southern Utah locals prepare themselves for the upcoming summer season and all that it brings. One of the greatest summer events in the area is the annual Groovefest American Music Festival from June 22-28. The last fundraising event for this great festival takes place at the newly remodeled Mike’s Tavern in Cedar City on Saturday, May 30, starting at 9 p.m. and will feature four of the longest running bands in Cedar City. There will be a $5 cover charge, and attendees must be over 21 years old.
The Groovefest support show will kick off with Bottled Monkey. Fresh off the release of their third CD, Bottled Monkey is one of the great roadside attractions in the area and features the incredibly talented songwriting of Brian Hoover and his unique lyrical style. The band also features local musician Steven Swift, the hard hitting drumming of Dennis Green and Chuck Triplett on bass. For more information on Bottled Monkey, visit www.bottledmonkeymusic.com.
The second band of the evening is the longest running band in Cedar City: Bila Gaana. The band has recently released a new album entitled “Bristlecone.” Bila Gaana plays a style of music that is uniquely their own. The band is led by guitarist/singer/songwriter Newvy, whose acoustic guitar and wah combination is something totally original. This is a band that is not to be missed.
The third band of the evening is the Pablo Sextet, AKA The Pableau Sextet. These are song for dance and romance. Songs of love. Sentimental songs of sincere surrender. Love lost, love found, love made. Songs of romance, but first, let’s dance! The band plays every type of music possible. For more information, visit www.thepablosextet.com.
The last band of the evening, Full Tilt Boogie, will be playing the iconic Pink Floyd album “Dark Side of the Moon” from beginning to end. Comprised of Steven Swift, Rhett Boswell, Kyle Gower, and Chuck Triplett, Full Tilt Boogie has brought in local Sax man Steven Wise and female vocalist Sarah Walther of local band Hello Oblivion and Beans and Wheels for the event.
This has been a tough year putting this festival together due to the lingering health issues of Groovefest co-founder Tim Cretsinger. Please come out and see this great show and help keep this amazing free music festival in Cedar City alive. If you can’t attend the show, you can always stop into the new Groovacious Record Store located at 195 West 650 South in Cedar and make a donation. For more information about Groovefest, go to http://www.groovefestutah.com.
