The Festival at Sandpoint: Week 1

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

Thursday, Aug. 4 – Opening Night

Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers headline this opening night to the 2016 Festival at Sandpoint. The Grammy Award-winning singer and keyboardist Bruce Hornsby is known for spontaneity and creativity during his live performances. Hornsby draws frequently from classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk, Motwon, gospel, rock, blues and jam band musical traditions with his songwriting and seamless improvisations. Sandpoint’s own Bridges Home featuring Dave and Tami Gunter with Paul Gunter will be opening for Hornsby. Bridges Home’s Americana style is driven by Celtic influences and warm melodies. Gates open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $44.95. Brew tasting tickets are available for $10, which includes a commemorative pilsner glass and premium microbrew tastes.

Friday, Aug. 5 – Dance Night

Railroad Earth is a roots and Americana-based newgrass jam band from Stillwater, New Jersey. Their music combines elements of bluegrass, rock and roll, jazz, Celtic and more. The virtuosic band members are known for their extensive live improvisation and lyrical songwriting within an acoustic base. The high energy folk rock quartet Rabbit Wilde out of Bellingham, Wash., will be opening for Railroad Earth. This will be a dance show, so wear comfortable shoes! Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.95.

Saturday, Aug. 6 – Super Saturday

Country Music Hall of Fame singer songwriter Emmylou Harris headlines a Super Saturday show. Harris has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992 and has famously collaborated with some of the hottest names in music, including Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, John Prine, Willie Nelson and Mark Knopfler. Harris is one of the most decorated artists in music with 13 Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association, and is currently ranked #22 on VH1’s “100 Most Influential Women in Rock and Roll.” Opening for Harris are The Brothers Landreth—a red-hot Canadian alternative country and folk music group. Also opening is The Powers, a regional favorite indie folk/country band based out of Coeur d’Alene. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the music starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $54.95.

Sunday, Aug. 7 – Family Concert

The Festival presents its Family Concert, “Peter and the Wolf” featuring the Festival Community Orchestra and Sandpoint’s Studio One Dancers. There are a host of pre-concert activities including the instrument petting zoo, an animal petting zoo, pony rides, clowns, face painting, games galore and the popular Parents’ Corner where moms and dads can take a break from the chaos for a complimentary mini-massage. Activities begin when the gates open at 2:30 p.m. and the musical performance starts at 5 p.m. All tickets are $6.