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Quirky Oregon Coast Winery Hosts Big Bluegrass Festival |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
08/01/08
Secrets of the Season |
Quirky Oregon Coast Winery Hosts Big Bluegrass Festival
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| Brownsmead Flats headlines the festival this year. |
(Nehalem, Oregon) - It's the first year Nehalem Bay Winery's famous Bluegrass 'n' BBQ goes it alone, as the usual bluegrass summer camp in Manzanita was canceled this year. So, instead of being held on a Wednesday - as was tradition - the 15th Annual Bluegrass 'n' BBQ is held on Saturday, August 16, and it even spills over to the next day with a special event.
This year, the Nehalem Bay Winery's 15th Annual Bluegrass 'n' BBQ also goes local, with Astoria bluegrass masters Brownsmead Flats headlining the show. Seattle alt country rock outfit Western Star goes on just before Brownsmead Flats, and Nehalem songstress the Denise Drake Trio opens the show.
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| Nehalem Bay Winery is set in the middle of lush, green fields and small mountains clustered around, creating an atmosphere of wine-yielding areas of Europe. |
The music starts at 5 p.m. and admission is $30, which includes seafood specialties and other cuisine. Beer wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Financially challenged individuals can be accommodated by reservation. Tickets are available at Nehalem Bay Winery or by phone. (888-368-9463).
Catering
is provided by master Chef Wes McMillan, who has returned to the north
Oregon coast. McMillan was known for his accomplishments at The Wayfarer
and Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach.
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| The crowd at the winery's bluegrass festival is alway jovial and quick to enjoy the outdoor surroundings. |
The festival really takes on the role of being a festival this year, as a free jam session and barbecue will be held the following day, Sunday, August 17.
Nehalem Bay Winery’s Bluegrass ‘n’ BBQ festival has featured numerous national acts over the years, such as David Grisman, Austin Lounge Lizards and Laurie Lewis.
The changes this year gave the winery a little more freedom to branch out.
“We are not doing this in conjunction with Bluegrass at the Beach this year,” said winery manager Melissa Stetzel. “The camp was cancelled, so we are putting on a bluegrass show here for our customers. That's why we can have it on a Saturday. It was always on a Wednesday before due to the schedule of the musicians at the camp.”
Astoria’s Brownsmead Flats is known for their goodtimes vibe, especially with the release of their “Live at the Liberty” CD, which was recorded at Astoria’s Liberty Theater. They are, however, just as well known for speaking their mind politically. A review of their album “Potluck” from The Daily Astorian said they offer “a tempting spread of down home sounds for listeners… The Flats also are capable of delicate beautiful balladry… Sometimes giddy, sometimes serene, ‘Potluck’ is a thoroughly satisfying repast.”
The magazine Victory Review said: “the music is a jaunty, bluegrass-oid hybrid with some hammered dulcimer interjected.”
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| The tasting room at the winery |
Seattle’s Western Star is the flipside of frontman Rob Allison’s other band, Bipolar Star. Plenty of hiccuppy, old country music stylings are fused with modern instruments and shades of rock ‘n’ roll, giving the players a chance to explore music history through a variety of Americana blends and decades.
See www.brownsmeadflats.com and myspace.com/westernstarseattle for more on those bands.
Local Denise Drake has been a favorite in the Nehalem Bay area for about a decade, with her poppy, emotive and subtle folk rock.
Nehalem Bay Winery is on Highway 53, between Wheeler and Nehalem. 34965 Highway 53 Nehalem, Oregon. 503-368-9463. 888-368-9463. www.nehalembaywinery.com
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 Inn
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Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
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Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
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