With its Winter Jam, June Lake’s T-Bar Social Club serves up a double dose of shows this weekend for a great cause.
September’s annual June Lake Jam Fest, which is going on its sixth year, is a 501c3 benefiting the Mono Arts Council, which puts music programs in schools in Mono County. The festival is run by June Lake’s own Janet Hunt, whose inspiring efforts to continue to grow the event little-by-little every year are borne out of her passion in helping the local children have access to a better musical education in their schools. The Jam Fest is putting on two fundraising shows this weekend at the T-Bar. All of the ticket proceeds directly go to the non-profit and music programs.
Friday night features Hempstring Orchestra, out of Orange County. Ted Tesoriero, the founder of Hempstring, has been playing guitar and singing in the long-standing jam outfit since the 1990s.
Saturday promises to be a scorcher, as the newly reformed GrooveSession rolls into town, with the Sanchez brothers (Manny and Ronnie) combining their rhythm section with the guitars and vocals of Kyle Merrill and Alex Mello (keyboards), formerly of Brothers Gow. Both bands are fixtures at the June Lake Jam Fest. Not to mention, it’s also Manny Sanchez’s birthday!
June Lake’s T-Bar Social Club is part of a three-phase entertainment destination. The T-Bar is the first phase, a 100-person live music club with a full bar and food. The venue often features acts seen in much larger rooms throughout California. The second phase is June Pie, a New York-style pizza parlor. The third phase (not open yet) is the Balanced Rock Saloon, which will attract larger national act concerts, and double as an event space for large gatherings. You can read more about all three in my recent interview with owner Jamie Schectman LINK.
June Lake Jam Fest is Sept. 10-12 at Gull Lake Park, showcasing many of the finest jam-based bands in California and beyond.
— Jon Siembieda
T-Bar Social Club
2588 Highway 158
June Lake, California
Phone: (760) 648-7774
June Lake Winter Jam
Night 1, Friday, March 6
Hempstring Orchestra, 8 p.m.
Night 2, Saturday, March 7
GrooveSession, 8 p.m.
Ticket info: https://balancedrocksaloon.com/t-bar-social-club/
