Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
With Strange Weather and Howlen Wynd on the calendar for Friday afternoon, you might think it a terrible day for a beach benefit concert.
Fortunately, those are the bands, not the forecast, for El Dorado county CASA’s third annual benefit concert at Lakeview Commons beach in South Lake Tahoe.
Founded in Seattle in 1977 in order to provide volunteer advocates to observe and speak on behalf of minors involved in a variety of types of legal cases, Court Appointed Special Advocates has since expanded to operate in all 50 states. With an area ranging from Kyburz to Stateline to Tahoma, the South Lake Tahoe-based branch of the El Dorado County chapter currently has 30 volunteers serving 40 children with active cases.
“On average, 50 children are removed from their families from the South Lake Tahoe side of the county per year,” CASA El Dorado Program Coordinator Alexis Foley said.
For this year’s concert, CASA chose two up-and-coming local bands in Strange Weather and Howlen Wynd.
“We found the bands through Base Camp Pizza, which is one of our biggest supporters for a lot of our events,” Foley said. “They both have pretty rocking music and were willing to donate their time for free. A big incentive for them is to be able to perform on the Live at Lakeview stage.”
The folks behind Live at Lakeview are a big part of CASA’s annual benefit.
On Thursday, the Seattle group the Polyrhythmics headline Live at Lakeview. Big Sticky Mess opens at 4:30 p.m.
“If it wasn’t for the support of the folks over at On Course events, we wouldn’t be able to put on this show. They provide the structure for the sound, the stage, the beer and wine garden and a lot of the bigger logistics,” Foley said. “We really want to thank Rob Giustina and Leslie Schultz for all the hard work and time they have put in for us.”
The headlining act is a new rock band on the South Lake Tahoe scene. Strange Weather has a dynamic, multi-faceted sound that varies between aggressive, driven rock and moodier melodic tones.
Formed in 2014, the group is Vinny Berry (lead vocals, guitar), John Munroe (guitar), Todd Christensen (bass) and John Gardner (drums). Strange Weather has been hard at work since forming in 2014, recording nine original tracks at Play Your Own Music in Carson City in 2015, and playing its first summer season of shows.
Opening for Strange Weather is self-described “new-age folk” trio Howlen Wynd, comprised of Trent Bailey (guitar, vocals), Jared Baisely (percussion) and John Sills (cello). A staple at various venues around the Heavenly Village and Stateline area, Howlen Wynd offers up classic hits as well as original tunes via a blend of acoustic guitar, cello and a variety of hand percussion.
“We’re super excited to be playing at Lakeview Commons,” Bailey said. “It’s something we’ve been looking forward to for awhile.
“We’re really excited that it’s for a good cause. We’re definitely grateful to be given the opportunity, and we’re looking forward to more shows on the beach in the future.”
Howlen Wynd kicks off the music at 4:30, and Strange Weather will take the stage at 6:00. The event will include a number of vendors and amenities, including a beer/wine garden, a massage table, face painting and more. Lakeview Café will be providing a variety of food and snacks for sale.
With a double dose of live music nights at Lakeview Commons on the forecast this week, it’s a great time to head to the beach.
Related story: Strange Weather tears up Whiskey Dick’s Saloon: LINK
Related story: Howlen Wynd blows on to the scene: LINK
- Strange Weather and Howlen Wynd
What: Benefit concert for CASA
When: 4:30 pm, Friday, August 14
Where: Lakeview Commons, South Lake Tahoe
Tickets: Free - Polyrhythmics and Big Sticky Mess
What: Live at LakeviewWhen: 4:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13
Where: Lakeview Commons, South Lake Tahoe
Tickets: Free
Seattle’s Polyrhythmics play Live at Lakeview on Aug. 13.
