This year’s performers share a sample of the Northwest’s eclectic originality. Musicians will be gracing the main stage at Third and Broadway Friday night from 6:30 – 10:00 and Saturday from 11:00 am-10:00 pm. Come prepared to listen, dance and be amazed!
Friday Evening July 27th 2018
The New Iberians
6:30 – 8:00pm
The New Iberians plays a wide variety of music, combining traditional Louisiana forms with Northwest Rock and Chicago Blues for a spicy, danceable gumbo they call Stumptown Zydeco.
Spirit of Ojah
8:30 – 10:00pm
Ghanaian high life, reggae and soukous. The Spirit of Ojah Dance Band gets audiences up on their feet – lead by legendary drummer Roger Ocquaye from Ghana.
Saturday July 28th 2018
Unit Souzou
12:30 – 1:30pm
UNIT SOUZOU (pronounced “sohzoh”) is at the forefront of a growing artistic movement within the world-wide taiko community. With over 20 years of professional experience, Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe, co-directors of UNIT SOUZOU are relentless innovators known for their fusion of taiko and Japanese folk dance.
Axè Didè
2:00 – 3:00pm
Axé Didé performs dynamic interpretations of dance and music based in Cuban and Brazilian sacred and secular dances. The existence of these traditions, passed down orally for hundreds of years, speaks to their complex and elemental nature, captivating audiences with movements as unique as the history of the people who bore them across oceans of tragedy. Taken literally, Axé Didé means Rising Vital Energy.
The Casimir Effect
3:30 – 4:30pm
The Casimir Effect pulls from a diverse range of influences to create a unique sound which combines Pop melodies and vocal arrangements with rock and electronic sounds, hip-hop beats, progressive song formats and even rapping.
The Dusty Herd
5:00 – 6:00pm
Dusty Herd is a Classic Country Music Band playing venues in the Eugene/Springfield area, and now visiting Estacada just for the Summer Celebration.
Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips
6:30 – 8:00pm
Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips have been playing high-energy funky dancin’ blues and R&B around the Inland Northwest since 1994. The Inland Empire Blues Society honored this band with the Best Blues Band award in 2012. Charlie has been nominated in 19 of the 20 years of the Empire Awards; recognized as best horn player seven times and twice for the harp.
The Rae Gordon Band
8:30 – 10:00pm
In May 2016, Rae Gordon assembled a new band featuring some of Portland’s most notable players. The fresh lineup quickly picked up steam, and by the 4th of July Rae’s new outfit had won the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis competition at the Waterfront Blues Festival. This local win sent them to Memphis in January 2017 for the renowned International Blues Challenge, where they ultimately took third place overall after competing against standout acts from all around the world. The band was recently named Best Portland Blues Act in a Willamette Week reader poll. In November 2017 the Cascade Blues Association honored the Rae Gordon Band with two Muddy Awards: one for Best Contemporary Blues Act and another naming their latest CD Better Than I Was Best Northwest Recording.