Published in the May 11-25, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Photo courtesy Crystal Nadeau/Goodbrain.com The Northern Rebels will release their first CD May 13 at GVA.

Photo courtesy Crystal Nadeau/Goodbrain.com
The Northern Rebels will release their first CD May 13 at GVA.

The weather is warming and the outside festivals and music events are coming out of hibernation as festival season is once again upon us. The Mushroom Mardi Gras May 28 and 29 to me is the official kick off for the festival season. It takes place at the Community and Cultural Center and along Depot Street between East Dunne and East Main avenues. There are two stages with music all day, both days.

On the Amphitheater Stage the band line up is as follows: Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. Bent kicks off the festival with ’90s rock hits. At 11:30 a.m. Hitsville Soul Sisters take over with Motown moves and soulful grooves. At 12:45 p.m. Sonic will play a mix of R&B with a rock and Latin vibe. They are followed at 2:15 p.m. by the All Stars Band/Rick Stevens offering up classic R&B. At 5 p.m. Take 2, is billed as the ultimate party band.

Sunday, May 29 begins at 10 a.m. with the Tsunami Band performing a variety of classic rock from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. At 11:30 a.m. Live Wire the high energy dance cover band kicks it up a notch. At 2 p.m. Bay Area favorites The Houserockers breaks out their classic rock and soul covers. Then it’s the K.J. All Stars at 4 p.m. playing top-40 variety.

The Depot Stage is located between 3rd and 4th Street and features a full line up of top bands.

Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. it’s Undercover playing ’80s cover tunes and at 11:30 a.m. it’s the band Iretide playing Reggae music. Do not miss the 1:30 p.m. band Chubby’s All Stars playing a mix of vintage classic rock. At 3:30 p.m. Heartless a Heart tribute band is followed by local favorites JJ Hawg playing their mix of classic rock at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 29 at 10 a.m. local resident Frank Dicker, often seen as a soloist, will be with his full band The Frank Dicker Band performing his blend of original rock. Following at noon Moondance takes over featuring ’60s and ’70s dance music. At 2 p.m. Vital Sign kicks up their heels. Locals Pat and Patty Curtis play at 4 p.m. with their Fast Lane Band playing a variety of dance music.

There is something for everyone at two days of live music this year at the 37th Annual Mushroom Mardi Gras.
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On another note, The Northern Rebels a Morgan Hill-based band will be putting on a CD release party hosted by The GVA Cafe in downtown Morgan Hill at 8 p.m. Friday May 13. All four members, Stephen Beard, Christian Seek, Aaron Blas and Dylan Kral are Morgan Hill residents. (Aaron and Dylan grew up here and attended Live Oak High School). The CD was recorded at Griffin Recording Studio, owned by Morgan Hill’s own, Sam Curtis and the photography for the website and album were done by Crystal Nadeau, formerly with the Granada Theater. Their music has many influences, from hard rock to classical, but the principal influences are blues and southern rock. The disc will be available at GVA Cafe and can be found online on iTunes, Amazon Streaming, Google Play, and CD Baby beginning May 13.

Got a music tip? Email Mark Fenichel at [email protected].