Georgefest to Celebrate Luck O' the Irish March 3 - Get Your Green On!

Dick Earl of Dick Earl's Electric Witness
belts the blues at Main Stage March 2016

Historic Downtown St. George will be sporting green, Friday, March 3, when Georgefest celebrates its “St. Paddy’s Spring Fling.” A nod in equal parts to St. Patrick’s Day and the imminent arrival of springtime, the monthly nightlife event will mark the start of St. George’s most idyllic months for sunshine and outdoor entertainment.

Salt Lake City’s electrifying Andrew Goldring band is sure to deliver when they take Main Stage at 8 p.m. At the Georgefest Jazz Garden, presented by The Desert Pulse, scorching blues will meet ferocious funk when Dick Earl’s Electric Witness teams up with Soul What?! Two of southern Utah’s most revered bands will churn out high-energy, danceable tunes for adults 21 and over. Perennial favorites Soul What?! will be joined by journeyman blues-harpist Dick Earl and his Electric Witness band for an evening of funky, blues-infused covers and original music.

Alice Erickson of Soul What performs
at Main Stage Dec. 2015

Comprised of powerhouse vocalist Alice Ericksen (Earl’s wife), guitarists Michael Moulton and Elaine Stoddard, and drummer Chris Flaig, Soul What?! has been performing together since first meeting at a local blues jam in 2012. Featuring beloved classics from their soul influencers (including Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Aretha), the band’s set list honors younger performers as well. All four members of the group are accomplished musicians who bring decades of experience to the project, drawing appreciative crowds throughout southern Utah.

Georgefest is southern Utah's favorite nightlife event
held every first Friday at Historic Downtown

Dick Earl’s raw, growling vocals and goose-bump-raising assault on the harmonica have been devoured by audiences from New York to Las Vegas. He has opened for such artists as Billy Currington, Firehouse, Janet Robin, and Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and is frequently tapped by performers to add his musical magic to their studio projects. When not touring as a solo act or with Electric Witness, he makes regular appearances at schools across the country to share his passion for music. He and Alice also own The Academy, an after-school program for youths wishing to acquire music performance skills.

Members of The Academy perform with
Dick Earl's Electric Witness at Georgefest March 2016

Along with outstanding entertainment, the Jazz Garden will offer its usual assortment of artisan tapas prepared by Sego Restaurant in Kanab, as well as craft brews from Wasatch Brewery and Squatters, and premium wines from Cedar City’s Iron Gate Winery. The Georgefest Jazz Garden is located in Green Gate Village on Tabernacle Street, next door to One Hot Grill.

Georgefest, a nightlife event designed to celebrate the best of southern Utah, is held on the first Friday of every month from 6-10 p.m., with the Jazz Garden open until midnight April–October. The event is sponsored by the City of St. George, St. George Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Canyon Media, St. George News, Etched Magazine, The Independent, The Desert Pulse, Iron Gate Winery and Wasatch Brewery.

For more information, or to become a vendor, visit georgestreetfest.com, or email info@georgestreetfest.com. Georgefest organizers are now accepting applications for street market vendors, buskers, and food vendors.

Photos by Nick Adams, courtesy Emceesquare Media. 

Kissing Winter Weather Goodbye, Indie Rock Bands Return to Main Stage March 3

When the electrifying Andrew Goldring band takes the stage March 3, spring will have sprung in southern Utah. And while Georgefest diehards danced to the beat of the DJ drum through Georgefest winter months, first Friday nightlife crowds are ready to rock with original sounds of indie performers under southern Utah's warm summer skies.

The Andrew Goldring band of Salt Lake City leads out the springtime
lineup for Georgefest's free first Friday Main Stage concert series March 3.
Photo by Ryan Jorgensen Photography

March 3 features Salt Lake City indie rock band, Andrew Goldring. A fixture in the Utah music scene for many years, Andrew has been part of notable acts including Golden Sun, Sleeping Giant, and All Get Out. Andrew has released several solo albums, and recently announced his next featuring the single, "Cosmic Dance." The album is scheduled to drop Feb. 24, and his products will be available March 3 at The George Store merch tent near Main Stage. Andrew is owner and operator at The Sound Cave music studio in Salt Lake City.

Opening on Main Stage is Telestial, southern
Utah's newest indie rock band sensation.
Photo by Shane Ivy Stewart

Opening for Andrew Goldring is southern Utah's own rising indie rock sensation, Telestial. Recently featured as cover story for the "Where It's At" section of The Spectrum and Daily News, writer Emily Havens described the band stating, "Telestial's sound has less abandon than one might find in a stereotypical hardcore project. It's reminiscent of hardcore punk and strongly resembles noise rock."

Featuring artists Richard Curl and Jade Whitlock, "Telestial is nearly everything we need from community bands," Havens wrote.

Ryan Groskreutz, Georgefest talent booking agent, believes Georgefest's commitment to featuring indie rock artists is a critical element of the event's appeal. "We are always working to bring the best up-and-coming bands and artists to Georgefest," he said. "This has been a big part of what makes the event interesting and worth coming out for."

According to Georgefest founder and executive director Melynda Thorpe, warm spring temperatures offer a welcome return to Main Stage bands. Because cold temperatures make it difficult for bands and their instruments to perform through the winter, Thorpe says, "we have to get creative about our stage talent," she said. DJ dance parties, choirs and vocal groups dominate the stage from December to February, "so we all get excited to welcome the return of indie rock bands with the first signs of spring."

Georgefest is a first Friday nightlife event designed to celebrate the best of southern Utah artists, entertainers and musicians. The event offers a free Main Street concert at the intersection of Main and St. George Blvd. Performances begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue through 10 p.m. The event's Jazz Garden venue presented by The Desert Pulse offers live music until midnight and is open to adults 21 and over at Green Gate Village on Tabernacle Street. Additional event features include a street market, Food Truck Village, and buskers performing for tips.

Follow the searchlight to Historic Downtown every first Friday night. This kind of fun is good for you. More info at georgestreetfest.com. Follow Telestial on Facebook.

Experience Georgefest in 15 Seconds

Georgefest is nightlife you can get excited about every first Friday at Historic Downtown St. George. This kind of fun is good for you. #georgefest

NEWS MEDIA RELEASE

January 2, 2017

For More Information

Contact: Marianne Hamilton

(408) 489-0140

New Year, New Name, New Jazz Garden Venue: 

 George readies to rock through winter and into 2017

As the New Year gets underway, George Streetfest officially becomes “Georgefest,” signaling a host of exciting changes for southern Utah’s monthly community nightlife celebration. Significantly, the event established in June 2015 transitions to non-profit status, and The Desert Pulse Jazz Garden moves to the newly remodeled Green Gate Village at 76 West Tabernacle Street.

Georgefest – which marked its 21st event on Dec. 2 – quickly earned a reputation as Southern Utah’s most electrifying nightlife event, known for offering something fun for everyone on the first Friday night of every month at Historic Downtown, St. George.

“We have been working hard to roll out these new changes with the new year,” said event founder and Georgefest Board Chair Melynda Thorpe. Regarding the relocation of the Jazz Garden, Thorpe said, “Green Gate Village offers all the charm of historic downtown with space for the Jazz Garden to continue to grow. It is a delightful fit, and one we’re very excited about.”

Located near Judd’s Store, Green Gate Village features a newly remodeled and landscaped retail commons area. Its quaint courtyard – which includes a performance stage, water feature, and fire pit – is surrounded by historic buildings, and offers extended capacity for expanding the venue. Currently in its first phase of development, the Village is being carefully designed and constructed to compliment the hotel and retail development projects being planned for downtown St. George.

The Jazz Garden also welcomes the addition of artisan tapas and catering by Sego Restaurant of Kanab. “Sego brings culinary artistry with a dash of urban infusion to the Jazz Garden,” Thorpe said. “We are thrilled to be able to offer their artisan menu paired with local craft brews, boutique wines, and vintages from well-known winemakers.”

While the Jazz Garden always boasts an array of outstanding food and beverage options, it’s all about the music, with an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, and acoustic rock performed by local and guest artists each month. Thus, since its inception, the Jazz Garden has proven to be nightlife that adults 21+ can get excited about. “It’s become a matter of tradition for a large segment of the community,” Thorpe noted. “We see many groups of friends meeting here on first Fridays, and it’s wonderful to know that the Jazz Garden is now such an anticipated part of the local landscape.”

Kicking off the 2017 Jazz Garden schedule will be Bombay Heavy, one of the most sought-after acts to come out of the burgeoning Las Vegas scene. The band boasts a style that Las Vegas Review Journal music columnist Dave Herrera describes as “built on groove-heavy guitars … with moderate doses of psychedelia. Bombay Heavy is made up of some heavy hitters.” In 2016 Bombay Heavy was selected to open a pair of shows for The Killers, whose members frequently collaborate with Bombay Heavy in songwriting and practice sessions. With Bombay Heavy’s first full-length album due to drop in early 2017, it’s the ideal time for Jazz Garden guests to experience what Herrera deems “sensational songs and a solid lineup.”

Opening for Bombay Heavy will be local favorite Nic Chamberlain. A self-described roots rocker, Chamberlain counts as his greatest inspirations the Delta Blues-influenced British Invasion bands of the 1960s. Today, Chamberlain – an attorney and father of five – compliments his percussive work on guitar (and numerous other instruments) with his trademark high, clear tenor.

To further the New Year celebration, Arts to Zion is sponsoring a “Color Me George” art contest that will culminate at Georgefest on Jan. 6. To enter, would-be artists should apply their imagination, color and designs to the George template (available at georgestreetfest.com) and submit it to Gallery 35, located at 35 S. Main Street, before Thursday, January 5. Entrants are also welcome to use the familiar George image to inspire their own custom artwork in the categories of watercolor, oil/acrylic, mixed media, or photography. Winners will be selected in three categories: children ages 2-10, youth ages 11-17, and adults 18+. Entries will be displayed at Gallery 35 during Georgefest on Jan. 6 from 6-10 p.m. All custom artwork entrants will receive one free ticket to the upcoming Arts to Zion Studio Tour, slated for Jan. 12-16.

During winter months Georgefest features the DJ Spinz Dance Party at Main Stage, along with talented street buskers performing on Main Street for tips, and a street market offering goods sold by local artists and crafters. In addition to dancing on Main, fire barrels provided by the St. George City Fire Department ensure that Georgefest attendees will stay warm.

                                                                                              

“We are committed to keeping the event running year round,” Thorpe said. “Truly, we are lucky to live in an area where winters are relatively mild, and where we can continue to join together for good music, good food and nightlife in the heart of our community.”

Added Thorpe, “Achieving non-profit status is a significant milestone that sets the stage for Georgefest to become a permanent resident event in our community.” Formerly managed by Emceesquare Media, Georgefest is now governed by a board of directors that (along with Thorpe as board chair) includes George Scott, vice president; Marianne Hamilton, secretary; Stephen Lambert, treasurer; and John Kessler, member at large.

Georgefest, a nightlife event designed to celebrate the best of Southern Utah, is held on the first Friday of every month from 6-10 p.m., with the Desert Pulse Jazz Garden at Green Gate Village open until midnight April–October. The event is sponsored by the City of St. George, St. George Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Canyon Media, St. George News, Etched Magazine, The Independent, Wingate by Windham Hotel, TDS Tel­ecom, The Desert Pulse, Tuacahn, Iron Gate Winery and Wasatch Brewery.

For more information, or to become a vendor, visit georgestreetfest.com, or email info@georgestreetfest.com. Georgefest organizers are now accepting applications for street market vendors, buskers, and food vendors.

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