The Southeast Alaska State Fair will once again have three stages abuzz with a mix of homegrown musical talent and national headlining acts, including the up-and-coming “transcendental folk” group Elephant Revival.
The Colorado-based five-piece will take the main stage Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., said the fair’s executive director Jessica Edwards.
Edwards, who referred to the group as “lively but lovely,” said Elephant Revival’s mellower sound is a great fit for the fair. “We’ve been getting a lot of buzz about them,” she said.
Fair entertainment coordinator Beth Bolander said she ended up booking Elephant Revival almost by accident, after another artist pulled out. With instruments ranging from washboards and djembes to mandolins and fiddles, Bolander said the group will provide fitting entertainment for the dinner crowd before the more “danceable, rockin’ bands take the stage.”
The Ukulele Russ Band and fan favorites the Whiskeydicks will follow Elephant Revival Friday night.
The Skagway Aerial Company, the fair’s “kinetic” act, will perform Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m.
Bolander discovered the company at the Buckwheat Ski Classic in March, where a duo of performers dangled from scarves affixed to the Skagway Recreation Center’s ceiling, spinning and contorting themselves in midair.
Following the aerial company’s performance Saturday, a big night of music kicks off with Playboy Spaceman at 6:30 p.m. followed by Harrison B, a progressive American soul singer from Lascassas, Tenn.
“It’s loud, but he has a beautiful voice,” Edwards said of Harrison B. “He can really hold the stage.”
Vagabond Swing, a seven-piece from Lafayette, La., goes on after Harrison B and is sure to wow the crowd, Bolander said. “They just have this really funky, French, gypsy, show-tuney, circus-vibe flavor.”
Capping off Saturday evening is Split Lip Rayfield, a high-energy, cowpunk bluegrass trio from Wichita, Kan. “Anyone who knows bluegrass probably knows Split Lip,” Bolander said.
“They are just extremely talented musicians,” she added. Plus, the bass player built his stand-up bass out of a pick-up truck gas tank and weed wacker.
Local and regional acts who will be circulating on the three stages include the Windy Valley Boys, Fishpickers, Sweet Sunny North, the Hot Toddies, Devine Funk, the North Country Cajun Club, Shiver Twins, and Julia Scott and the Psychotic Apogee.
“The beauty of having a return act is you know the artist likes to come and people do enjoy having a chance to see the band again,” Edwards said. “I think the lineup will be a new experience for people this year.”
The fair runs from Thursday, July 31, to Sunday, Aug. 3.