AUSTIN, Pa. – The Dam Show, one of the region’s most eclectic
and popular music festivals, observes its fifth anniversary Friday
through Sunday with a line-up of performers as diverse as the
audience it traditionally attracts.
Among the headliners are the Gordon Stone Band, headed by a
former member of the jam superband Phish, and Blue Sky Mission
Club, featuring former Blue Oyster Cult drummer Ron Riddle.
Dam Show V, at the Austin Dam Memorial Park, also boasts a
massive light show spread across the breadth of the tall, concrete
columns that remained after the dam failed in 1911, unleashing a
torrent of water that killed upwards of 80 people.
Located two miles north of Austin on Route 872, the park has
undergone recent improvements, including road upgrades, electrical
service and a portable stage. Primitive camping is available. Food
booths and other vendors will be in operation all three days.
Here’s this year’s schedule:
Friday (6 to 11 p.m.)
• Blue Sky Mission Club. This melodic band demonstrates a deep
understanding of roots, rhythm and bluegrass. Drummer Ron Riddle,
formerly of Blue Oyster Cult, helps Blue Sky Mission Club deliver a
blend of soul, country, zydeco and rock traditions, with lyrics
addressing a spectrum of political and spiritual themes.
• Music of the Underground Railroad, featuring local student
musicians led by Charles Kennedy Jr.
n Jakob’s Hollow. One of the highlights of Dam Show IV was the
debut of original songs based on the 1911 Austin flood by the local
folk trio, Jakob’s Hollow. Those haunting melodies, based on actual
accounts of the tragedy, will return in 2007.
n Dam Jam Session. Professional and local musicians will gather
onstage to explore some unscripted dimensions as a warm-up for
Gordon Stone Band’s headlining finale.
• Gordon Stone Band. Stone is coming off successful gigs in
Boston and New York City, where he performed with Lou Reed and
other notables. Stone, a world-class banjo and pedal steel guitar
player, delivers as a blend of bluegrass, Latin, jazz, world beat
and funk. His work with the well-known jam band, Phish, exposed a
whole new audience to his unique style of music.
Saturday (2 to 11 p.m.)
• Tom Martin. Coudersport balladeer covers songs by other
musicians with original compositions based on real-life
experiences.
• Fetish Lane. The band’s folk music with a kick is highlighted
by three-part harmonies and energetic percussion work. The band has
shared venues with Fairport Convention, Marshall Tucker Band, Jerry
Garcia Band and other notables.
• “Drums Along Freeman Run.” A lively, hands-on drum workshop
featuring Buddhahood.
n Bonnie Kyofsky. A celebrated storyteller, Dr. Kyofski will
share colorful tales passed down through the generations, along
with Civil War stories and some humorous tall tales.
• Jonathan Haley. This young singer, songwriter and guitarist
branches from contemporary Christian, to classical, to
inspirational.
n Brother Dietze and the Dixie Boys. Accomplished musicians in
their own right, the other band members take a back seat when their
inimitable vocalist, the 94-year-old Rev. Kenneth Dietze of
Shinglehouse, takes the microphone.
• The Slant. A band with Potter County roots defies conventional
description and takes certain pride in traveling along a slight
detour from the mainstream. The band’s latest album demonstrates
The Slant’s evolution and maturity, with a blend of folk, rock, and
self-styled music.
• Redheaded Stepchild. Kathryn Koch’s fiery vocals are
complemented by stellar harmonica and saxophone work. David Nanni’s
driving guitar style completes the mix.
• The Buddhahood. Vocals, folk, rock, world music, drums, horns
and plenty of energy are all rolled into this popular festival
band. Styles range from West African, Brazilian and Middle
Eastern.
Sunday (2 to 6 p.m.)
• An ecumenical worship service will be held at 11:00 a.m.,
sponsored by the Austin United Methodist Charge.
• Freznel Lenz. A five-piece original Christian band, Freznel
Lenz delivers rock, country, blues, bluegrass, funk, jazz, Latin
calypso, and even reggae.
• Redheaded Stepchild. See above.
• Essence of Motion Dancers. Students will be demonstrating
their skills in various dance styles, under the direction of Anita
Bartlett and Margaret Spahr.
• Student performances under direction of Larry Herbstritt
(Songwriter for the Stars)
• Fetish Lane. See above.
Tickets are ,15 per day on Friday and Saturday and ,5.00 on
Sunday, with discounts for the full weekend tickets and for
families. There is a discount on advance-sale purchases. Tickets
available from Olga’s Living With Art, Coudersport; Perry’s Store,
Austin; Costello General Store and the Wharton Store.
The Dam Show is sponsored by the Potter County Fine Arts
Council, in cooperation with the Austin Dam Memorial Association
and the Pa. Council on the Arts.
Photos, sounds, information and links to the bands can be found
online at damshow.com. For more information, call (814)
647-3318.
