(News release) – The entertainment schedule for the City Stage and Family Stage at Trails West!® 2017 has been released and features a wide variety of acts.
Entertainment on the City Stage and Family Stage ends before the Main Stage entertainment. Main Stage entertainment opens with funk rock fan favorite, Here Come the Mummies, who take the stage Friday night; music stars Trace Adkins and Clare Dunn entertain crowds Saturday; festival attendees Sunday will enjoy the musical talents of Stars Go Dim and Grand Funk Railroad. And don’t forget the Eclipse on Monday!
The City and Family Stage schedule is full of local favorites, mixed in with some brand new acts.
“We can’t wait to introduce this fantastic lineup for the 2017 festival,” said Shana Meyer, Trails West 2017 Co-Chair. “It will be a great weekend, full of talented musicians and performers. We are proud of the lineup we were able to secure this year, and we are really looking forward to showcasing these artists and highlighting them for their incredible gifts.”
City Stage
Friday, August 18th, 2017
5:30 p.m. – Under the Big Oak Tree. Under the Big Oak Tree describes their musical style as heartfelt, picturesque, and timeless. Band members include Kristin Hamilton, Doug “Sluggo” Ward, and Simon Fink. American Roots Magazine described their first album as “A strong group of original songs that are perfect for warm summer nights, a classic country feel, and a sophisticated repertoire of music played by excellent musicians.”
6:30 p.m. – Flannigan’s Right Hook. This popular band, out of Kansas City, has been called a combination of country and Irish music. The band trio performs high energy concerts, and their instruments include a fiddle, a guitar, and a set of drums.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
10:15 a.m. – The Dance Arts Center. For thirty years the Dance Arts Center has taught students the art, discipline and joy of dance. The studio was founded in 1985 by Ms. Lynn Fankhauser. In 2005, former student and professional dancer Marla Heeler returned home from Chicago to carry on the tradition Ms. Lynn instilled in many students during her twenty-year career. The Dance Arts Center offers a wide variety of dance, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, musical theater, contemporary, hip-hop and tumbling. Students at the Dance Arts Center not only learn grace, poise and confidence, but they also gain a lifelong appreciation of dance, and develop skills such as team work, time management and problem solving.
11:15 a.m. – Stephanie Gummelt. This American Idol contestant is quickly becoming a Saint Joseph favorite. Stephanie Gummelt first began teaching herself guitar at age 12 and to date has written over fifty tracks. Her mix of pop-folk with a touch of rock topped with powerful vocals is sure to delight.
12:30 p.m. – Like Rabbits. Americana, Bluegrass, Folk
1:30 p.m. – The Sons of Brasil. In Kansas City, there is a popular jazz group that has performed every week since their inception in 1991. This would not be so remarkable, as Kansas City is renowned for its tradition of great jazz since the days of Count Basie and Charlie Parker. What is remarkable, is that this group of native Kansas Citians plays nothing but Brazilian jazz, with a flavor and passion one might think could only be found at a night club in Ipanema or Leblon. The Sons of Brasil invite you to sample these sounds, which stem from their love and admiration of “musica bem brasileira.”
2:30 p.m. – Oxymoron. Oxymoron is an up and coming band with funny antics and off-the- cuff interactions with their audience. They play a unique variety of music from multiple genres and multiple decades, appealing to most any crowd. Oxymoron has played at a variety of venues including Kauffman Stadium, Civic Arena, and several local venues including regular visits to The First Ward House in St Joseph, MO. However, the band’s most common performances have been private parties amongst the community due to their personable interactions with their crowds.
3:30 p.m. – Retro Active. RetroActive is a high energy classic rock cover band that brings back the memories with songs you will remember that you’ve forgot from the 70’s and 80’s. Over nine decades of combined experience, RetroActive has played at numerous festivals, private parties, and many local hangouts including Stingers in Wixom, Plymouth Roc, Baker’s in Milford, Captain Joe’s Lounge in Whitmore Lake, Northwood in South Lyon, Dam Site Inn in Hell, Pinckney Pub and Grill. Expect an energetic set list that gets people up and dancing.
4:30 p.m. – Oxymoron.
5:30 p.m. – Retro Active.
6:30 p.m. – State Line Drive. This band is made up of Micah and Mason Marrs along with Joel and Jordan Mills. The four play a mix of folk-pop with a country influence and is sure to be a crowd favorite.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
1:30 p.m. – Valentine & The Ticklers. Valentine & The Ticklers are Mark Valentine, (guitar & vocals) Jay EuDaly (guitar & vocals) and Phil Brenner (alto and tenor sax, flute, clarinet and vocals). The band plays covers from artists including Johnny Cash, CCR, Eric Clapton and others. Their mix of high energy and musical talents is sure to keep the crowd on their feet and singing along.
3:30 p.m. – Das Furbender. This new comer to the festival stems from Lawrence, KS and offers a mix of music including jazz, rock, and funk. Their high energy and crowd involvement is sure to delight festival goers.
4:30 p.m. – Under the Influence. Rock
5:30 p.m. – Casey Brett Acoustic. Casey Brett is a singer and songwriter from Savannah. He says his unique sound rides the line between Red Dirt and Texas Country. Casey performs over 250 shows a year in various cities and towns, giving a not to miss performance laced with energy, excitement and great music. He’s toured the Midwest circuits in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska as well as performing in Alaska, Texas and Tennessee. Casey won the 2007 Missouri State Talent Show, 2008 Kansas City’s Q-104 Country Crooner Contest, and performed in the 2009 Country Stampede.
6:30 p.m. – Under the Influence.
Monday, August 21, 2017
10:30 a.m. – Eclipse! Musical revue with songs associated with the eclipse.
11:30 a.m. – The Baker Family. The Baker Family is a high energy bluegrass band located in south central Missouri. We perform at bluegrass events throughout the United States from Maine to California.
2:00 p.m. – The Baker Family. The Baker Family is a high energy bluegrass band located in south central Missouri. We perform at bluegrass events throughout the United States from Maine to California.
3:00 p.m. – Wooden Nickell Studios. Join Wooden Nickell Studios for a family friendly art class. Leading the instruction is Megan Thomas, a local painter. Born in 1985 in Trenton, Missouri, she studied art throughout her high school career and continued her art education at Missouri Western State University. She is the owner and operator of Wooden Nickell Studio. Currently she has been working on Abstract pieces, but also takes special requests form clients. Including but not limited to landscapes and portraits.
Buttons (tickets) are on sale now through August 16. They are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. All festival guests under the age of 10 are free while accompanied by an adult. Buttons will grant admission to all four days of the festival. Purchase your festival buttons at the Allied Arts Council office, your local bank, online or at one of the many local businesses listed on the Trails West!® website, www.trailswest.org.
Trails West!® is an outdoor arts festival, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of St. Joseph, Mo. Hosted by the Allied Arts Council, the festival is coordinated by a volunteer steering committee and receives financial assistance from the Saint Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city of Saint Joseph, and the Missouri Arts Council; a state agency. Now in its 25th year, the festival features fine arts, folk arts, culinary arts, music, dance, and theatre. The 2017 festival will be held August 18-21 at Civic Center Park.