Down home music up north

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Homegrown talent and nationally known acts will descend on the little town of Hansville Saturday for the annual Concert in the Park at Buck Lake.

The day of music, food and fun is hosted by the Hansville Community Center, and runs 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29.

Hansville resident Chick Edwards, professional musician and owner of No Point Studio, has gathered together a schedule of performers with an interesting variety of styles.

The performances start “as close to 11:30 as possible,” according to Edwards, with local youth Eli Dayley and Kristen DeBoer. Dayley just received a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, and DeBoer will be heading to Julliard School of Music.

Edwards said Dayley is one of the best flamenco guitarists he has ever heard, and DeBoer sings like an angel.

They are followed by Rick May and Gil Yslas on fiddle and guitar, playing traditional Irish music. The duo has been honing their musical skills every Friday night at Tizley’s Europub in Poulsbo.

The music takes a turn toward rock with the Van Gees. They are professional musicians who make their home in Las Vegas, but are originally from Kitsap County.

“They have played backup with everybody,” Edwards said. This time they’ll be the front men, playing rock and roll and rockabilly.

Jazz singer Kat Spitz, from Seattle, will sing accompanied by a pianist. Her strong vocal style has been compared to Pat Benatar and Ann Wilson.

Closing out the day is Foxfire Bluegrass Band. This group of siblings is originally from New Mexico, but they have spent the last year on the road, garnering fans, fame and awards along the way. They will play earlier Saturday at the Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival, so it worked out to book them for the Hansville concert as well.

The Concert in the Park also features hot dogs, hamburgers and potato salad, and a potluck dessert table.

Concert co-chair Becky Ellison said the concert is bigger and better than ever this year, with more up and coming local talent.

A fire truck and crew from North Kitsap Fire & Rescue will be on hand, not to put out fires hopefully, but to give youngsters a chance to check out a real fire truck, and to talk to them about fire safety.

The concert in the park is free, and Ellison said it is a great family event.

To get to Buck Lake, from State Route 104 head north on the Hansville Highway until the Hansville city limits. Buck Lake Road is on the left, the lake is a short ways ahead. Just listen for the music.