Stage 1 rewinds for Rotary’s 100th

NEWS RELEASE
ROTARY CLUB OF SAULT STE MARIE
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Rotaryfest Rewind is a blast from the past: six decades of musical memories from the Sault Ste. Marie music scene showcased on Stage 1 at Rotaryfest, The Sault’s Summer Festival from July 19 to 21.

Stage 1 is put on in conjunction with the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District, sponsored by OLG, and partially funded by the Government of Canada.

“I am very excited with this year’s Stage 1 lineup,” shared Shaun Antler, stage director. “The rewind concept will feature some of the best local bands from the past 50 plus years.”

Three days of excellent entertainment will welcome back bands and musicians who have carved a niche for themselves in Sault Ste. Marie’s music history from the 1960s to present day.

“In coming up with the concept, I thought it would be cool to help The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie celebrate their 100th year by trying to get some bands and musicians that would represent past decades of the Sault music scene over at least part of those 100 years,” Antler added. “I was surprised and pleased with the response I got from many former bands and their willingness to participate.”

Many of the featured bands are no longer together but have agreed to reunite for the festival, while others will present a rarely seen local performance. Musicians will be travelling from all over Canada and even from outside of the country.

The lineup will highlight a variety of genres of music including jazz, country, indie, pop, punk, hard rock, and of course classic rock! Original music will also be featured on Stage 1 this year, with many bands performing some of their self-penned songs.

Each decade from the 1960s to the 2010s will be represented by bands that were standouts when they played at the various watering holes around town. Some have nationwide resumes while others were popular bar bands that kept the crowds dancing to the music of the day.

The 60s will be represented by The Dark Side and Polisi Bassoon. From the 70s, George Pinder and Patches and the Chicago-style Pegasus will perform. The 80s will feature Zak’s All Stars, Road Fever and former Champagne Breakfast/Wailing Aztecs members, Sue Martinelli, Kelly McGillivray and Sue Roy.

From the 90s there is The Northern Jazz Ensemble and Tripod The Dog. Representing the turn of the millennium will be Odd Man Out and That’s Chester. Finally, highlighting the most recent decade is Turner UP!, The Kids from 'Sally' and The Suicide Kings.

Friday will feature a tribute to Journey and Bon Jovi as presented by Mustang Heart. Friday’s headliner will be Sault Ste Marie Walk of Fame inductees Treble Charger with founding members and Sault natives, Greig Nori and Bill Priddle.  

New this year, we are celebrating the season on Saturday afternoon with a Beach Party and a musical summertime tribute by The Sun Dogs with a playlist from Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys, Bob Marley and more. If summertime tunes make you happy, put on your best beach party attire and join us for some fun in the sun.

Saturday evening will begin with a tribute to the songs of Chicago and Lighthouse by Pegasus. Dustin Jones and The Rising Tide will be the opening act for Saturday’s headliner.

Hailing from Sault Ste Marie, The Tide guarantee a foot stompin’, harmony filled, fiddle and stand up bass riddled, humdinger of a good time. Topping off the evening is the Juno Award winning Canadian rock trio, The Stampeders, with hits like Sweet City Woman, Wild Eyes, Devil You and Hit the Road Jack.

“I guarantee you will want to take this trip down memory lane on Stage 1 and enjoy all Rotaryfest has to offer,” said Antler.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.rotaryfest.com or the Rotaryfest, The Sault’s Summer Festival! Facebook page.

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