Sunbanks Spring 2023
It’s that time again! We spent the weekend at Sunbanks back in May for Bluesfest!
We went up on Thursday this year to ensure we could catch the evening music at the Cantina. On the way we stopped in Quincy at the Jones Winery. We visited the cute summer market style shopping center and enjoyed wine tasting! I (D) enjoyed yummy bubbly wine and Zeek had a glass of great Cab Sauv. While it isn’t our thing, they also had delicious looking wine slushies, perfect for a hot afternoon in eastern, WA.
I’ve decided this is my new thing, finding shops named after Barb!
18 Bands or Acts in 3 days!
Thursday at the Cantina was a blast to start the weekend. Dustin Lafferty, a Pierce County favorite followed by Older & Wiser, one of our eastern Washington favorites, and finishing up with Nick Vigarino, who we've enjoyed on several occasions up & down the I5 corridor. Over 4 hours of music, dancing, and friends in a beautiful outdoor setting. Several of us donned mustaches in honor of Dustin Lafferty’s song “Power of the Mustache”!
A lot of the folks come in Friday. This year Friday was 7 hours of music, and 90 plus degree Temps on the dance floor. Reconnecting with folks we haven't seen since September, dancing, and hanging out with friends Barb & Milo, Jeannette & Donovan, and Darin.. it felt like home, again. Friday's highlight was of course, Billy Stoops and the Dirt Angles (we may be a bit biased, but honestly... this band is Phenomenal).
Saturday's line up started with Octopus Ballet setting the bar pretty high. Another local group (Pierce County) featuring Leanne Trevalyan, Cheryl Clark, and now including Drummer Chad Russel. They kicked things off a little after Noon, and the bands kept it going until Midnight.
Right in the middle of that was the Tyron Beniot Band, who I've been excited to hear since the moment I heard they were coming. Tyron performed at Bluesfest about 20 years ago, and rocked the place then. Well he didn't disappoint this time either. We danced to nearly every song in spite of the heat and were able to get a quick pick with Tyron as he came off the stage. We hope to see him back in the area soon.
He even got award winning percussionist Leanne Trevalyan up to play washboard on one of the songs! (Photos below by Gordy Mitchell)
Sunday starts with Dark Side of The Moon over the stage speakers, and then bands from 12:30 to 7:30.
In the middle of Sunday was Portland's own Ben Rice & the Hustle. Ben was part of some of the acts earlier in the weekend and had been enjoying the rest of the shows also... so when it was time for him to perform, he was ready. Ben & the group were engaging to say the least, even getting Billy Stoops up on stage to play with him.
After the music ended Sunday, several performers, fans, audience members, and technical, promotional, and grounds folks celebrated another great festival at the Cantina.
The Condo, Home Away from Home
When Barb and Milo first invited us to the festival last year, we didn’t realize just how much fun came from within the condo itself as a social gathering space! Some of our closest friends and best memories have been built within the condo!
