We had a freak January warm spell last week so there wasn’t  much snow for the first YQL Winterfest, Friday, Jan. 14.

 But you could feel winter returning as local singer/ songwriter Karen Romanchuk kicked off the week long celebration of  winter on Rotary Square outside of Casa. She  paused in between a solid set of original music to warm her hands on the heating unit placed to the side of the stage in between songs..

 A handful of people  shivered in the cool breeze.

Romanchuk played a set of mostly new original music mostly written during the pandemic.

“Walking ”was a highlight right off the top as was  “When it’s All Said and  Done.”

 Her raspy , emotive voice reminded me of Lucinda Williams.

 She told a few stories, warmed her hands and played a solid set of music.

 A highlight near the end was “ Feeling Fine.”

Adequate played the official kick off to Winterfest Saturday afternoon, Jan. 15.

 There was also the ice sculptures and booths  from local community organizations. The Nikko Yuko Japanese Gardens was on hand to  supply samples of their custom hot chocolate, one of several business  offering  specialized hot chocolate on the weekend. 

 They played their usual spirited set of upbeat funk and dance music, focusing on original music from their debut CD for a slightly bigger audience. “Pipe Dream” was one of those highlights. 

They spent some of their set jamming on funk and R and B classics like the Isley Brothers’ “You Make Me Wanna Shout” belted out by drummer Keenan Pezderic.

 Guitarist Josh Thorlakson crooned a solid version of Lou Reed’s “ Take a Walk on the Wild Side” in between adding layers of sound and playing a guitar solo behind his head.

 Scott Mezei grinned as he got lost in the groove of his bass.

“Take A Walk on the Wild Side” turned into a jam of late ’80s and early ’90s rap including a few bars of “Bust a Move.”

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor