In July of 2006 Dave Rowley and his son Nate Rowley started a music production company called Under the Microscope Productions. The company was started mainly to function as a recording label and promote the band that Dave, Nate, and Nate's younger brother and sister Alex and Jessica played in called M.E.R.V.I.N. After finding out how difficult it was to secure live music performances not only for themselves but also for other very talented musicians in Washington State, especially in the central region of the state, they began talking about hosting a festival. The idea of hosting a music festival in their hometown of Royal City, had been kicked around by Dave for several years, as he is also the Royal High School music teacher, and wanted to see more live music performed in the region. With Nate's prodding and the development of Under the Microscope Productions into a full-fledged music produciton, promotion and publishing company in late 2008 the beginnigs of this festival were born.
Music in el Sol is the name of this festival and the first installment will be held Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Lyons Park in Royal City, WA, a small farming community in central Washington State. The festival was created to showcase regional talent in a variety of genres. There is special attention given to the cultural diversity of the area, so music will include rock, acoustic, funk, country, alternative styles as well as styles of Latino music including mariachi, conjunto, banda, tejano, and others. This festival will become an annual event, and will always be held on the last Saturday in June kicking off three consecutive weekends of celebration in the lovely town of Royal City. The festival is followed by the 4th of July weekend and finally the annual community celebration in Royal City held the second Saturday of July every year: Summerfest.
This year the headlining acts are Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs (originally from Ellensburg, WA), and Los Rebeldes de la Sierra from Pasco, WA. Also performing will be Open Country Joy from Ellensburg, WA; Sangre Latina from Mattawa, WA; The Souvenirs from Seattle, WA; Mariachi Estrella de Mexico from Wenatchee, WA; Kenzie from Royal City, WA; and Conjunto Admiracion also from Royal City.
Performances will begin at 9:00 AM and will last all day in the park until 9:00 PM, then the music will move inside to Casa Miguel's Family Restaurant and Lounge where the headlining artists will play a second set each from 9:00 PM until 12:30 AM. Tickets are $15.00 for the entire day's events and are available through TicketsWest.com or at the park the day of the festival. Food and arts and crafts will also be available in the park the day of the festival. There are also several eating establishments in Royal City. Unfortunately there is no overnight lodging: the nearest hotel and motel establishments available are in the area cities of Moses Lake (30 miles Northeast), Ephrata (30 miles north) and Ellensburg (45 miles west).
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Lyons Park, Royal City, WA
