Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina plans to help kick start Lethbridge’s thriving music scene which has been spinning its wheels since Covid closed down all performance venues, with the Bridge City Brew and Music Festival during what is usually Street Machine Weekend.
There are 66 slots available for bands and DJ, both inside and outside in the parking lot for the three-day event at the new pop culture themed bar and restaurant, July 9-11.
Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina owner Brad Whalen, who moved into the old Backstreet South location (1810 3 Avenue South) last year, noted the festival is keeping a tradition alive as Backstreet always had live music during Street Machine Weekend, especially during cruise night.
“It’s fun to sit and watch the cars, but it’s better to listen to live music and drink beer while watching cars,” Walen said.
A few bands have been confirmed including Dirt, J Mills and John Brooks will be performing a folk set.
Two of music organizer Shawna Lorraine’s bands are already on board including Dream Catcher and Whiskey Gap Country.
“A lot of people are waiting to see if things actually open up on July 1, but we’re past the point of no return now,” Walen said, encouraging potential performers to contact Shawna Lorraine as soon as possible through Facebook, the Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina or 403-501-1558.
“We could accept acts right up until July 4 or 5, but ideally we want to book them by July 1,” he said.
There will be a donation bucket to enter the festival and a donation bucket for each band.
Acoustic acts and DJ sets as well as a vibrationist and a cowboy poet will be performing inside while most of the rock acts will be performing outside on Friday , July 9 from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m; Saturday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday, July 11 from noon to 9 p.m. Performers get 25 per cent of the gate and 75 per cent of the stage. The backline including drums, PA system and bass amp and possibly a keyboard will be supplied
“ It’s an all inclusive festival, so we welcome all styles of music,” Walen said.
Cans of craft beer supplied by the Old Man River Brewing company, Blind Man Brewing from Lacombe, Hard Knox out of Black Diamond and Medicine Hat Brewing Company.
Shawna Lorraine is excited to be playing in two bands, which formed mid pandemic.
“Dream Catcher is basically the Mark Hall Band with Shawna Lorraine singing,” she said, noting they feature Lorraine, Mark Hall, Jack Horne and Raz Bruce.
Whiskey Gap country focuses on country music and features Shawna Lorraine, Kendall Clark, Phil Twedt and Les Kessler. They formed last February and then got shut down by Covid restrictions.
“ We formed in May 2020, and actually wrote a song the first time and then recorded. We had one gig and then everything shut down due to Covid, she said,. They play a variety or rock, pop and country music including originals as well as covers of Fleetwood Mac, Miranda Lambert.
Whalen is also looking into food trucks for the event.
The Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina is planning on starting a family open mic beginning July 4 on Sunday afternoons as well as an open mic every Monday night on the small stage surrounded by spray painted galactic imagery.
The Bridge City Brew and Music festival is July 9-11 at the Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina(1810 3 Avenue South). Admission is by donation.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
