With an acoustic sound that "seeps deeply into our pores and permeates our core until their riffs merge with our pulse" (The Washington Post), Trampled By Turtles careens into spotlight with unbridled bluegrass tonight, August 19. The string stampede also includes opening bands: Elephant Revival and Amy Helm. Concert starts at 7 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Lawn and reserved seats are available online at www.bigstarsbrightnightsconcerts.org or 435-655-3114.
The Minnesota-based band, Trampled By Turtles, arrives in Park City hot on the heels of its newest and much-touted album, "Wild Animals." While TBT's most recent recordings in the words of NPR "use speed and aggression only as seasoning," their live concerts contain plenty of beloved "fiery freneticism."
Dave Simonett (guitar, vocals), Tim Saxhaug (bass, vocals), Dave Carroll (banjo, vocals), Erik Berry (mandolin) and Ryan Young (fiddle, vocals) - all of whom jammed in rock and punk before unplugging their instruments - have delivered a half dozen albums of both even-keeled and full-throttle bluegrass or as Esquire put it, "Supercharged songs with a hooky playfulness and white-knuckle power..."
TBT is joined by Elephant Revival, a Colorado-based quintet with a progressive knack for performing what the band describes as "transcendental folk" (i.e., a blend of folk, country, swing, Celtic and more). The multi-instrumental band members - all of whom take part in the songwriting and singing - include Sage Cook (banjo, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, bass and fiddle); Bridget Law (fiddle, octave fiddle); Bonnie Paine (washboard, djembe, musical saw, stompbox); Daniel Rodriguez (guitar, banjo, bass); and Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo).
The final member of the night's billing is Amy Helm, founding member of the band Ollabelle and daughter of The Band's Levon Helm. This Americana songbird/mandolin-player/percussionist (who has shared the stage with the likes of Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris, and Joan Osborne) lends her powerful vocals to blues standards, gospel and her original compositions.
"This triple billing fits the Deer Valley venue perfectly," says PCI's executive director Teri Orr. "The acoustic bands cover the gamut of roots music at every possible tempo - including break-neck, get-on-your-feet-and-dance speed."
CONCERT DETAILS
All St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concerts take place at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Lawn and reserved tickets as well as summer season punch cards are available at the Park City Institute Box Office at The Mega Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (435 Swede Alley, Park City), via phone at 435-655-3114 or online at www.bigstarsbrightnightsConcerts.org. General Admission tickets may also be purchased at Deer Valley Signatures stores located at 625 Main Street and Silver Lake Village or Deer Valley Etc. in Snow Park Lodge (please call 435-649-1000 or 800-424-3337 for store hours); The King's English Bookshop (Salt Lake City); and Hugo Coffee (inside Park City's Visitor Center). Discounted tickets are available for children (under age 16) as well as seniors (age 62 and older).
Gates open 90-minutes before show time. Coolers are permitted and a nine-inch chair height restriction (i.e. you shouldn't be able to roll a basketball under the seat) is enforced. Concerts will be held rain or shine.
Park City Institute: ENTERTAINING, EDUCATING AND ILLUMINATING SINCE 1998
Park City Institute is a non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing world-class performances and new ideas to the community. Since 1998, PCI has presented internationally renowned and cutting edge musicians, actors, authors, comedians, dancers, speakers and film at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (a joint-use facility with the Park City School District). The organization will present its 11th season of headliner concerts at Deer Valley Resort this summer. PCI is dedicated to introducing young people to the arts through free student outreach workshops, shows and demonstrations. They proudly launched the Mega Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ - an after school literacy program and very thinky retail store - in January 2010. And the organization continues to illuminate with TEDx events, Curiosities evenings and the Park City Institute / Strategic News Service Future in Review Speaker Series.
Pictured: Elephant Revival
Photo Credit: Anne Staveley
Videos