This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Plan Your Weekend Around Novato Festival Music Lineup

Country singer Carlene Carter and local favorite Wonderbread 5 will headline at the Festival of Art, Wine & Music this weekend.

The announced the music lineup for its 28th annual Festival of Art, Wine and Music, a two-day Grant Avenue street party set for June 11 and 12.

On Saturday, Novato returns to its country roots with headliner Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter. 

Sunday's headliner is Bay Area favorite, the disco-party band, Wonderbread 5.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dennis Hagerty, a Novato insurance agent and member of the chamber, has been the unofficial chair of the music selection committee since 1987. "It's pretty much me with input from others (making the choices)," said Hagerty, a guitarist and drummer in several local bands. "I line up the stage, sound company and do the negotiations with the band."

While he jokingly claims, "I make it up as I go along," Hagerty keeps his eyes and ears open during the year to find the right music for the annual event but begins serious planning and booking in January. "I'm a musician by hobby and have a general idea of the music scene." 

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He also watches other local venues to see what bands have successful draws and are booked year after year. "I take my personal taste out of it," Hagerty said.

This year's lineup is a broad range of musical styles designed to appeal to a broad range of musical tastes.  Rock, country, salsa, Italian favorites, blues, swing are all represented this year, as well as cover bands for the Grateful Dead, Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith.

"My goal is not to have someone show up and stay in front of the stage all day, because then they're not there for the art and the wine," he sad. "This is the first year that we'll have a salsa band and the people who come for that won't stay for the metal band after."

This year is also the first country music headliner at the festival and Hagerty thinks that Carlene Carter will draw a big crowd. Closing out the festival this year is disco dance band, Wonderbread 5. "They're a good band to close with because they are just really, really, fun," said Hagerty.

The event has grown into one of the largest festivals held in Marin County. Last year's attendance topped 90,000 over both days.

Here's the music schedule for the weekend.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

Main stage

10 a.m. - DEAD SET – acoustic duo performs classic Grateful Dead and others

11 a.m. - S’CREAM – A tribute to the music of Cream and Blind Faith

Noon – THE SORENTINOS  – North Bay band plays original rock and Americana

1:20 p.m. - AVANCE – one of the hottest salsa bands in the Bay Area – a 12-piece!    

2:40 p.m. - METAL SHOP – A tribute to the best of the '80s classic hard rock hits

4:00 p.m. - NOELLE HAMPTON – songwriter, toured with Lilith Faire, opened for Dylan

5:30 p.m. - CARLENE CARTER – member of country music royalty performs her hits

Seventh Street Stage

10 a.m. – UPHILL BOTH WAYS – Local band plays modern country, rock and blues

Noon – LOVE2DANCE – Local dance performers

1:30 p.m. – RENÉ ESCOVEDO – Alternative / Latin jazz / funk fusion

4:45 p.m. – BOPTROPOLIS – Funk and blues

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Main stage

10:00 a.m. - AMY WIGTON – Novato singer-songwriter performs original music

11:15 a.m. - BELLA CIAO – Accordion-based six-piece band plays Italian favorites

12:30 p.m. - SWING SET – Novato swing band plays original and classic swing

1:40 p.m. - THE RAVE UPS – A tribute to the Yardbirds

2:50 p.m. - VOLKER STRIFLER – A North Bay guitarist performs rocking blues and soul

4:30 p.m. - WONDERBREAD 5 – The ultimate party band returns!  

Seventh Street Stage

10 a.m. – SAVANNAH BLUE – Bluegrass

12:45 p.m. – ZEBOP! – Santana tribute band

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?