Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival

Yes this is off my normal beat but the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival is one of my favorite festivals ever. If you enjoy small town festivals, great music, good food, exceptional wine and beer AND friendly people you owe it to yourself to hop into your favorite ride and head to Bodega (not Bodega Bay), California.

some photos in this mailing by   Margot Duane Banner collage by Margot Duane and Alexis Kestler SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 & 28, 2011 10-6 SATURDAY  10-5 SUNDAY 16855 BODEGA HIGHWAY, BODEGA CALIFORNIA   The 17th annual   Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival   Hello Festival Fans and Followers! This is the second newsletter of the season so there are some updates and additions here. The big news is we finally have our on-line ticket sales available! The Home Page of our website has a link, but for your convenience you can use the link right here: click here Another fun bit of news is we now have a great little ad, which can be seen on movie screens various locations in Sonoma County. Here it is: click for ad   Below you will find all the latest information about the 2011 show.  Thanks to everyone and see you at the festival!    THE FESTIVAL TASTING THIS YEAR...      Here is the list of festival wineries and breweries for 2011. What a wonderful line-up of old friends and new, boutique companies! Alexander Valley Vineyards BR Cohn Winery Barefoot Wines and Bubbly Battaglini Ca' Momi Cline Cellars Crane Brothers Winery CT Cellars Deerfield Ranch Winery DeNovo Vineyards Draxton Wines  Fogline Frey Vineyards Greater Purpose Handley Cellars Jacuzzi Vineyards James Family Cellars Jigar Wines KB Cellars Kelley & Young Kenwood Vineyards Korbel Champagne Cellars Long Gamma Wines Lucas and Lewellen Vineyard Martin Ray Old World Winery Reynoso Robert Rue Russian River Vineyards Sandole Trentadue Winery    Anderson Valley Brewing Co Bear Republic Brewing Co Black Diamond Brewing Co Faultline Brewing Co Firestone Walker Brewing Co Iron Springs Brewery Lagunitas Brewing Co Lost Coast Brewing Co Sonoma Springs Brewing Co Third Street Aleworks  INCREDIBLE ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE!   As organizers of this event we are aware of creating a balance at the festival to please everyone. But our hearts lie with the artists most of all, if we were to be honest, as that is the world we come from. This year the festival has even a broader range of stellar exhibitors: some who have been coming for years, and some who are coming from across the state, and across the country! Here are some beautiful examples... Brian Goldenberg Polly Poldolsky Carla Arimes    Lori O'Neill Pam Wood  Click here to see the work of many more on our website.  PERFORMANCES 2011  As usual, our line-up combines great jazz, blues, Latin, flamenco, traditional and world, as well as hilarious non-musical performers. Both days are stellar! Come to dance on our dance floor or just sit on the haybales and enjoy! SATURDAY  AUGUST 27   MAIN STAGE 11:00 - 12:00  Kevin Fitzsimons Quartet   The Kevin Fitzsimons quartet is made up of top local artists, well known in jazz circles. Members have toured or recorded with Art Blakey, George Shearing and Russell Ferrante to name a few. They are featured in this year's Healdsburg Jazz Festival and are very popular performing at local resorts and wineries. 12:45 - 2:00  California Honeydrops    Digging deep into the roots of American music, The California Honeydrops embrace the traditions of Blues, Gospel, Second Line New Orleans Jazz, and early R&B. With stellar performances of traditional material as well as their own innovative music, The California Honeydrops get people out of their seats and onto the floor, dancing and singing along. http://www.cahoneydrops.com/ 2:45 - 4:00  Lava Steeped in Latin rhythms Lava covers such artists as Santana, Malo, Poncho Sanchez and War. Lava also plays a number of standards that have been in the top 40 over the past 30 years. Lava has had the privilege of opening for headliners Sapo, Malo, Pete Escovedo, and former lead vocalist of Tower of Power, Lenny Williams. http://www.lavamusicrocks.com/ 4:45 - 6:00  Volker Strifler Band   The Volker Strifler Band, a popular Northern California based tour-de-force of musical talent, has become a rising musical phenomenon garnering local, regional and national recognition for excellent blues. VSB is fronted by their namesake and founder, Volker Strifler, whose remarkable talents as singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist extraordinaire are helping propel both him and the entire band toward world-wide recognition. http://www.volkerstrifler.com/default.asp?section=home SATURDAY AUGUST 27 WINE STAGE 11:15- 2:00, 12:15-12:45, 2:00-2:45, 4:00-4:45  Oscar Reynolds   Oscar Reynolds is an accomplished composer, internationally-acclaimed Andean flute master, guitarist, flute-maker, recording engineer, and lawyer from the Andes Mountains of La Paz, perhaps best recognized for playing the Bolivian pan flutes and guitar simultaneously. With a professional career of over 40 years in music, he has recently received honors from the Bolivian government for his lifetime achievement in music and dedication in developing, performing, and promoting Bolivian music in Bolivia and around the world.   http://www.karumanta.com/  1:00 - 1:45, 3:00 - 3:45 Kevin Fitzsimon Quartet The Kevin Fitzsimons quartet is made up of top local artists, well known in jazz circles. Members have toured or recorded with Art Blakey, George Shearing and Russell Ferrante to name a few. They are featured in this year's Healdsburg Jazz Festival and are very popular performing at local resorts and wineries. SUNDAY  AUGUST 28  MAIN STAGE 11:00 - 12:15  David Correa and Cascada   Entertaining audiences since 1999 with its passionate and distinctive blend of instrumental Latin Guitar World Fusion. Blending the Spanish guitar with Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms from Old Mexico & Central America with a hint of middle-eastern influenced melodies. http://www.davidcorreaandcascada.com/?section=home 1:00 - 2:15 Big B and the Snakeoil Saviors   Whether uptown swing or downtown boogie is your thing, Big B and his Snakeoil Saviors are just what the doctor ordered. The 8 piece band is inspired by the classic swing and jump bands of the 40's and 50's with their dancer-friendly party music that became the bridge between the eras of the big band and rock and roll. The sound of the swing and shuffle beats, the horn section, the hot boogie-woogie piano, all combined with the western/Hawaiian steel guitar are what gives Big B and his Snakeoil Saviors their uniquely West Coast sound. http://www.snakeoilswing.com/ 3:00 - 5:00  Pride & Joy   There are no other performers that creates the joyful, ecstatic, excitement at our festival that this group brings. Covering music from the 70's 80's and beyond, Pride and Joy are the ultimate good time band to see. SUNDAY AUGUST 28 WINE STAGE 11- 11:45 12:00 - 12:45  2:00 - 2:45  4:00 - 4:45 Spark & Whisper   Original folk with gorgeous harmonies is the trademark of this local trio. Originally 3 at Last, who played at the festival in recent years, we brought them back to wow our audiences for another year.  http://sparkandwhisper.com/index.php?splash=1  1- 1:45  3:00 - 3:45  David Correa and Cascada Entertaining audiences since 1999 with its passionate and distinctive blend of instrumental Latin Guitar World Fusion. Blending the Spanish guitar with Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms from Old Mexico & Central America with a hint of middle-eastern influenced melodies. http://www.davidcorreaandcascada.com/?section=home  SATURDAY AUGUST 27 AND SUNDAY AUGUST 28 ENTERTAINMENT STAGE 11:00-11:45, 1:00-1:45, 3:45-4:30  Karen Quest, Cowgirl tricks   Hold your horses! A unique fun-filled Vaudeville-style Western Comedy Act complete with Trick Roping, Whip Cracking, Music and Lots of Surprises!   Karen also performs on stilts as "Lucky Starr" - an eight-foot tall cowgirl - as she engages audiences with her special brand of Western humor. http://www.cowgirltricks.com/ 12: 00 - 12:45, 2: 45 - 3:30, 4:45 - 5:30  Captain Jack Spareribs   We had to bring this amazing performer back to our stage! Professional actor, magician,  juggler, ventriloquist, puppeteer, prop comic and all around scallywag sort of fellow, Captain Jack Spareribs will delight every person who has the good fortune to see his show. http://www.pirate4hire.com/who.html  SEBASTOPOL BALLET SCHOOL   Each year we bring back this most lovely group of young dancers and their presence brings grace to our stage.  INCREDIBLE FOOD!    There is no question that this festival has a stellar food selection, and you do not need to be a seafood lover to enjoy the offerings here, so many options are available. BIG BOY'S BARBEQUE BBQ OYSTERS CRAB CAKES FISH TACOS CEVICHE AND CHIPS COCONUT PRAWNS PULLED PORK SANDWICHES    THE CHOWDER HUT CORN CHOWDER CRABCAKE TACOS  CEVICHE & CHIPS HOT PANINI SPICY HEIRLOOM TOMATO GAZPACHO W/DUNGENESS CRAB GRILLED CALAMARI PO'BOY OYSTER BRUCSHETTA HALIBUT PANINI WRAP GOURMET FAIRE KEY LIME CALAMARI TURKEY AND VEGETARIAN CORN DOGS BEER BATTERED GARLIC FRIES NOINA'S THAI FOOD CURRIED CHICKEN W/ RICE CRAB RANGOON IN RICE PAPER PAD THAI W/TOFU AND CHICKEN THAI SPRING ROLL THAI SHRIMP FRIED RICE ULTRA CREPES SEAFOOD CREPE W/SHRIMP, FISH, SCALLOPS, MUSHROOMS IN BECHEMEL SAUCE SMOKED SALMON CREPE W/SPINACH, PARMESAN, CHIVES, LEMON, CRÈME FRAICHE ULTRA CREPE W/ AHM, TURKEY, MOZZERELLA CHEESE, EGG, SAUTEED MUSHROOMS, CARMELIZED ONIONS, CRÈME FRAICHE VEGETARIAN CREPE W/ GRUYERE CHEESE, SAUTEED MUSHROOMS, CARMELIZED ONIONS, GREENS, FRESH CREAM NUTELLA CREPE W/CRUSHED PLAZMA BISCUITS, WALNUTS & WHIPPED CREAM FRUIT EXPLOSION CREPE W/ BANANAS, STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, LA LECHERA, WHIPPED CREAM SONOMA TERIYAKI FISH & CHIPS TERIYAKI CHICKEN ON A SKEWER PRAWNS AND GARLIC FRIES DEEP FRIED ARTICHOKE HEARTS W/FRESH CRAB AND SHRIMP DEEP FRIED ZUCHINNI GARLIC FRIES HULA HUT SALMON BOWL LUMPIA BBQ KABOBS HAWAIIAN BBQ BOWLS KIELBASA SANDWICH W/FRIES BRISKET SANDWICHES PANCIT CHICKEN ADOBO MARY'S PIZZA PIZZA BY THE SLICE MEATBALLS AND SAUCE PENNE PASTA W.MEAT SAUCE PENNE PASTA W/PESTO SAUCE CAESAR SALAD CARRIBEAN SPICES SHRIMP CREOLE /SWEET POTATO FRIES AND HAITIAN COLE SLAW CREOLE CONCH W/NATIONAL RICE, SALAD AND FRIED PLANTAIN SEAFOOD GUMBO CREOLE CHICKEN CREOLE W/CASHEWS OVER FREID PLANTAINS W/ SPICY COLE SLAW    THE LITTLE HOFBRAU BODEGA BOUNTY SEAFOOD STEW  SALMON BURGERS BRATWURST GARLIC CHICKEN SAUSAGE  POLISH SAUSAGES  HOT DOGS  SAUERKRAUT POTATO SALAD     FUNNEL CAKES SMOOTHIES ESPRESSOS CHOCOLATE COVERED FRUIT FANTASIES  WHO'S IN CHARGE? The Festival Organizers If you have been to the festival you have probably seen one or both of us running around with walkie-talkies and worried looks. We are Michael Ecton, professional photographer, and myself, Janet Ciel, former craftsperson and now promoting not only this event but also the Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market. In creating Bodega Festival 17 years ago, we were looking to create a unique, high-quality festival in the county. We are so proud of this event and thankful to all of you for making it a success!   Our Beneficiaries A portion of the festival proceeds benefits two very wonderful organizations:   Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods , which is the non-profit working with the California State Parks in the Russian River region, and the   Bodega Volunteer Fire Department .  In the next month we will send out one more newsletter with all the final information, so look for it. Below this newsletter is a link to send it anyone you think might want to see it. Help us spread the word!  Thanks so much for being part of our festival family and we hope you'll be out there this year! Meanwhile stay in touch via our website: www.winecountryfestivals.com or