Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Summer music arrives in Hailey

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By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

Liven up, Hailey. This summer live, weekly outdoor concerts are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning today and continuing through the end of the summer, at the Wicked Spud in Hailey. The free musical gatherings will take place outdoors under the backdrop of Carbonate Ridge behind the Main Street restaurant.

Figgleaf Productions, in association with Heidiglyphics and sponsored by the Wicked Spud, is organizing the concerts. "The Northern Rockies Folk Festival weekend is the biggest weekend of the year in Hailey, everyone goes. Clearly there is an audience that wants live, inexpensive, accessible music in Hailey," one of the organizers said. Thus, the idea for the weekly community concerts was born.

"I wanted to be able to combine what I love to do by bringing families together with a friendly, fun atmosphere," explained organizer Heidi Albrecht.

The concert series will offer a lineup of Wood River Valley bands combined with the Spud’s family friendly atmosphere and an invitation to enjoy a casual evening of live music under the stars.

Bands such as In Search of a Red Headed Fiddler are excited to play their alternative mountain folk at the new venue. The venue was tested last year at the Firemen’s benefit. Other bands that will be playing include the 812 Band, Will Bell, Kim Stocking, Public Radio, Straight Up, and Ümlaut and the Barbers. An open mic night is also scheduled. The space just behind the Spud proved to be a perfect climate forming a natural amphitheater with ample room to dance and enjoy a relaxed down home Idaho evening.

The concerts will also benefit a variety of local charities. Albrecht explained that each week donations will be collected for a "cause of the week." Proceeds will benefit Camp Rainbow Gold, Head Start, Hailey Cultural Center, the Build a School Project and HUB among other beneficiaries. The evenings will also encourage recycling with bins provided by the ERC.

Musicians interested in playing at one of the events should contact Mary Ellen Mahar or Craig Sakimoto.

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