Media

Press Release - August 19 2005

Seattle Band Entertains at the Lytton River Festival

The music is reason enough to bring your family to Lytton on Labour Day weekend, September 3, 4 & 5.

Lots of music: three live bands, big and small drums, singing and chanting, fiddlers.

Most of the music is on Saturday, September 3. In addition to a day chock full of exciting family events and entertainment, the small community of Lytton comes alive with the sounds of three bands. Everyone's excited about the surprise late addition from Seattle, Soulflight.

Soulflight plays music that takes you back to the ‘70's and 80's and impulsively forces you to dance on the street.

The street is where the Lytton River Festival takes place.

One of this six member group is legendary guitarist Jimmy Hendrix's cousin. Same gene pool and flare with the guitar that made Jimmy a superstar.

The lead singer Valente sings from the heart and touches the soul. You can hear her (and the band) by clicking on www.soulflight.biz but for the real thing come to the Lytton River Festival on September 3.

Rockhound, our feature band last year and again this year, drifts down from Kamloops. These four guys – Lance (drums), Ray (guitar & vocals), Dale (guitar, vocals, keyboard) and Patrick (bass) – are as close to professional as it comes without being full time musicians.

In fact Ray Schultz and Dale Kallhood have made music together since they were 10 years old. Recently enticing Lance and Dale into the Rockhound fold, the band plays classic Rock ‘N Roll dating from the 70's and 80's. This is a tight group.

The local connection is Richie & the Fendermen . This is Lytton's own band and adds flare and local color to the River Festival. Easy to dance to, these guys are local legends and great entertainers.

Sunday's live entertainment focuses on some of BC's best fiddlers. When Don Olds and his group The Hot Fiddlers from Hope BC play a tune your feet start stomping. No controlling what they do once these guys start fiddling.

Big Drums? The second day of the Festival is filled with the sounds of drumming, chanting, and dancing. A mini First Nations Pow-Wow is happening. All day long, a great display of color and tradition supported by heart-thumping music and wonderful regalia delights viewers.

To spice up the Pow-Wow, the Interior Salish bone or stick game Sla-Hal is played alongside the drummers. Music and chanting accompanies the game. This is a rare chance to watch tradition unfold before your eyes.

The Lytton River Festival is a free, family oriented event that celebrates the role that the Thompson and Fraser Rivers have played in the small community of Lytton for centuries. It runs September 3,4 and 5 (Labour Day Weekend).

For more information and a detailed look at over fifty events, go to www.riverfestival.ca.