Photo by Rachel Kumar
Inflation, wildfires, pandemic. What on earth could be next for Lake Tahoe, a tsunami? Well, yes, South Shore will be inundated with music on Memorial Day weekend with more than 40 bands and artists at 14 venues. And there will be beer everywhere, too.
Starting to feel better?
The Big Blue Music & Brews Festival May 27-29 will be held at Lakeview Commons, Heavenly Village at each of its breweries, The Beacon and TIKI Bar at Tahoe Beach Resort. All of the music is free.
Headliners who will perform underneath the Heavenly Gondola below the majestic mountainside are classic rockers Pablo Cruise on Saturday, May 28 and jump blues band Rick Estrin & The Nightcats on Sunday, May 29.
At Lakeview Commons, the Bruce Lee of Rock ‘n’ Roll Scott Pemberton O Theory headlines Saturday, with L.A. rock and roots band Kareeta opening at noon, and Sunday high-energy blues Laurie Morvan Band headlines at 3 p.m. with slide guitar virtuoso Dennis Johnson & The Revelators opening at noon.
Recently formed Kareeta has made a big splash in Northern California sharing the stage with The Mother Hips.
“We’re very excited to be playing the festival,” Kareeta guitarist Jon Siembieda told Tahoe Onstage. “Tahoe is always a blast, and performing lakeside only seems like it will add to the vibe. We’ll have some tricks up our sleeve for the occasion, plus a large dose of songs from our debut album and forthcoming LP we just recorded.”
Pablo Cruise, which included founding members David Jenkins and Cory Lerios, has found its place in the sun at Tahoe for decades with a huge fan base at both ends of the lake.
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
Harmonica virtuoso with a flair for humor, Rick Estrin has received the Blues Music Award’s greatest honor, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. High flying drummer D’Mar might smack his head on the Gondola if he’s not careful. And guitarist Kid Andersen is producer of the acclaimed Greaseland Studios in San Jose.
Some local bands will be featured as well, including the Wesley Orsolic Band, Local Anthology, Ted Kennedy and the Residents and Americana singer-songwriter Darren Senn.
“I am thrilled and honored to participate in the Big Blue Music and Brews Festival, which celebrates the astounding beauty and groovy vibe of the Jewel of the Sierra, The Lake of the Sky, my beloved place of residence,” Senn told Tahoe Onstage. “The lineup is loaded with talent, both local and touring artists. I might even have to learn a couple fancy new chords for this epic event.”
Morvan has never performed with her full band at Tahoe before but she a penchant for building an instant fan base.
“People get hooked in,” she said. “Music is a powerful connection force and it’s exciting when people connect to my music and they come back. I am a mountain girl and I will be in Nirvana when I get there.”
There will be a free bike valet at Lakeview Commons. And alternative transportation into the Casino Corridor is always a good option.
-Tim Parsons
Big Blue Music & Brews Festival
The Shops at the Heavenly Village:
- Ted Kennedy + The Residents, Friday, 1-5 p.m.
- Wesley Orsolic Band, Saturday, 1-6 p.m.
- DJ Osirus, Saturday and Sunday, 6-7 p.m.
- Pablo Cruise, Saturday, 7-9 p.m.
- Pamela Parker Fantastic Machine, Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Sunday, 7-9 p.m.
LAKEFRONT VENUES:
- Kareeta, Saturday, 12-2:30 p.m.
- Scott Pemberton O Theory, Saturday, 3-6 p.m.
- Dennis Johnson + The Revelators, Sunday, 12-2:30 p.m.
- Laurie Morvan Band, Sunday, 3-6 p.m.
TIKI Bar at Tahoe Beach Retreat
- Local Anthology, Saturday, 2-6 p.m.
- Taking Root, Sunday,2-6 p.m.
The Beacon Bar & Grill at Camp Richardson Resort
- Bread and Butter, Saturday, 1-5 p.m.
- In Kahoots, Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
BREWERIES/TAPHOUSES:
- Green Buddha Band, Friday, 5-9 p.m.
- Audiobox, Saturday, 5-9 p.m.
- Arizona Jones, Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
South Lake Brewing Company (SLBC)
- Darren Senn, Friday, 5-8 p.m.
- Bison Bluegrass Band, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. to celebrate SLBC’s 5th year anniversary
- Thomas Brandolin, Saturday, 12-4:30 p.m.
- Sean Hodge, Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
- Randall Ide, Sunday, 12-4:30 p.m.
- Mark Sheets, Sunday, 5-10 p.m.
- Josbeatz, Friday, 5-8 p.m.
- The Gold Souls, Saturday, 3-6 p.m.
- Pat Hull, Sunday, 3-6 p.m.
RESTAURANTS:
Azul
- Ditchweed Harvest, Saturday, 12-3:30 p.m.
- Ash Relics, Saturday, 4-8 p.m.
- Fred Archer Wilson, Sunday, 12-3:30 p.m.
- Dan Zook & Jon Sils, Sunday, 4-8 p.m.
- Jordan Michael Bagheri + Kristen Lynn Stephens, Saturday, 12-4 p.m.
- Luis Rubio, Saturday, 4:30-9 p.m.
- Kris Munn, Sunday, 12-4 p.m.
- Kaizaac “Kai” Porter Late Night Show indoors, Saturday, 9:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Rox Christensen Late Night Show indoors, Sunday, 9-11:30 p.m.
- Bread and Butter, Friday, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
- In Kahootz, Saturday, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
- TBD, Sunday, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
- Luis Rubio, Saturday, 12-4:30 p.m.
- Off Piste, Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
- Ash Relics, Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
