Dance the night away under the stars this summer at Tinhorn Creek Winery, which is kicking off its summer concert series on May 25.
“We look for up and coming Canadian bands, with Canadian being key. We try and get the upbeat bands that get people up and dancing,” said Lindsey White marketing co-ordinator for Tinhorn Creek. “The concerts are just a really great time.”
Tinhorn Creek’s Canadian Concert Series kicks off on May 25 with Brickhouse, known as Vancouver’s hardest working band. This funk band has a huge repertoire and have grown a loyal fan base that call themselves the Brickettes.
“Yes, indeed we do, and they are a group of insane people. I don’t know what is going on, or how it happened, but they just keep coming out,” joked lead singer Rob Bracken. “When we head out of town it is funny because usually anywhere from 10 to 15 people will come out. Doesn’t matter where we go, Edmonton or anywhere, they just get in cars and come out. It is a social scene as well the music scene and it is really quite interesting.”
Bracken said the fan group consists of people from all walks of life, from kids to grandparents to motorcycle enthusiasts, and the band loves it.
“We attract an eclectic group of people, from kids just barely allowed in a bar to those who can barely make it there. One leg, two legs, four wheels you name it and it is come as you are and leave your ego at the door, enjoy yourself the music and there is no drama. It’s just cold beer and rock and roll,” he said.
The six-person band has been together for over 20 years and Bracken said they are planning to head into the studio “fairly soon” to either put out a full-length album or a couple of singles. Known for their blues-funk-rock infusion, Bracken said they have their own Brickhouse sound and that comes from playing so long together.
“We love playing on the road, playing new places and meeting new people. This is going to be a great show. I can feel it,” said Bracken.
June 22 features the high energy and phenomenal musicianship of Jackie Treehorn. Funky, upbeat original tunes with a retro flavour and sassy dance choreography will have the dance floor bumping when this six-person troupe hits the stage.
On July 27, the roots-rock sounds of The Matinée evokes memories of family camping trips, men with guitars around the campfire belting out tunes while rising tempos bring everyone to their feet.
On Aug. 24, Five Alarm Funk brings their horn-powered percussion-fuelled sonic and visual assault to Tinhorn. An unstoppable orgy of energy on stage, Five Alarm Funk’s 10 musicians perform intricate arrangements with delirious dance moves and full-on headbanging.
Watch for choreographed arm movements coinciding with melodic climaxes while the four percussionists create a true spectacle.
The grand finale concert will feature the Juno award-winning band Blackie & the Rodeo Kings. Tickets for the final show on Sept. 7 are $65. Blackie & the Rodeo Kings is a folk-rock/alternative country trio formed in Hamilton, Ont. Tom Wilson, solo artist Stephen Fearing and guitarist/producer Colin Linden, first started the band as a tribute to one of their favourite Canadian folk artists, Willie P. Bennett. They have since evolved into one of the finest roots-oriented bands in North America.
Tinhorn Creek’s outdoor amphitheatre sits atop the winery’s hillside overlooking the famed Golden Mile, and is a one-of-a-kind venue. Shuttles are available with pick-up spots in Penticton at the Lakeside Resort and Wine Info Centre and in Osoyoos at Spirit Ridge, Walnut Beach and Watermark. Tickets for the shuttle can be purchased on Tinhorn Creek’s website. Miradora Restaurant, located at the winery, is doing a pre-concert reception starting at 5:30 p.m. on concert days with appetizers for $20 — wine is extra.
For $100, the season pass includes one ticket to each of the first four concerts in the series, and works out to getting four concerts for the price of three.
The season’s pass does not include the grand finale concert of Blackie & the Rodeo Kings. Individual tickets for each show are priced as following: Brickhouse $20, Jackie Treehorn $20, The Matinée $40 and Five Alarm Funk $40.
All concerts start at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Minors allowed if accompanied by an adult.