Starting at 5:45 each evening, two great headliners will perform on the veranda of the hotel with the audience gathered in the intimate garden between the hotel and saloon.

It’s a great time of day and a great spot to enjoy world-class music with a tasty barbecue dinner thrown into the $45 price of admission.

Tickets are limited to 120 each evening and may be purchased directly at either the hotel or saloon, located on Main Street in Upper Lake, or by calling the hotel reception desk at 707-275-2244.

The festival lineup, along the sponsors who have helped to make each evening possible, follow below.

Opening each night starting at 5:45 p.m.: Barry “Big B” Brenner

Barry Brenner is a favorite on the Southern California blues circuit and he wowed the crowed at the Blue Wing Festival two years ago. He’s from the South Side of Chicago and plays authentic Chicago and Mississippi Delta blues on his 6 and 12 string guitars as well as the classic metal-bodied resonator guitar so popular in the Delta. A great solo blues personality.

Wed., Aug. 5 – “Mighty Mike” Schermer with Guest Star Lara Price

Presented by Moore Family Winery, High Valley Vinemards, Allora DaCar Productions, Lake Event Design and Windrem Law Firm.

Mike Schermer and his band have been fixtures on the Bay Area blues scene for 20 years. He’ll be playing the Blue Wing after three prior appearances and before heading out on a national tour with Elvin Bishop.

“Every time I play with Mike,” says Elvin, “my booty hurts from him kicking it all night.”

Tommy Castro says he’s “probably the best blues guitarist, singer and songwriter you’ve never heard of.”

Lara Price is an all-American singer with a sultry stage presence and a voice that demands your attention – smoky, lonely, sexy, and powerful. As one reviewer commented, "Lara can belt out a song, purr through a ballad, knock you out with her sensuality and make you want to get up and dance." She’s made four CDs with her own band and is working on a fifth with Mike Schermer.

Thurs. Aug. 6 – The Chris Cain Band

Presented by Shannon Ridge Wines, Radio Station KXBX, Strong Financial Network and Vintage Antiques.

Chris Cain’s passion and intensity are the product of his mother’s Greek ancestry and his father’s soulful black heritage. The combination of extensive jazz studies plus a blues upbringing have melded to form the searing guitar style that sets him apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene.

As a San Jose Mercury News reviewer noted, “More than anyone else, anywhere, Chris Cain represents the future of the blues.”

Last year’s Blue Wing star Patrick Ford produces most of Chris Cain’s CDs on his Blue Rock’it Records label.

Friday Aug. 7 – Bettie Mae Fikes and the Levi Lloyd Band

Presented by Brassfield Estate Winery, Max Design Studio and Jonas Heating & Cooling.

Bettie Mae Fikes is a fabulous singer and entertainer who has had the audience dancing in the aisles at previous Blue Wing Festivals.

Born in Selma, Alabama, Bettie Mae participated in the Civil Rights struggle there and has toured with the Freedom Singers in the decades since. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and at prime blues venues worldwide.

Now based in Los Angeles, Bettie Mae visits Lake County often and has many friends and fans here.

Levi Lloyd and his band play all the major blues venues from the Bay Area northward and they make frequent appearances at our Blue Wing Monday Blues. A guitar and vocal virtuoso, Levi puts a pulse in every performance.

Sat. August 8 – Bottle Rock Blues and Rhythm Band plus Twice as Good with Guest Star Curtis Lawson

Presented by Six Sigma Wines, Radio Station KNTI, Blues Express Records, UCC Rentals, ReMax Realty.

The Bottle Rock Blues Band is a group of top musicians from Lake County led by veteran guitarist and vocalist Mike Wilhelm and featuring the explosive vocals of Neon Napalm. Mike’s distinctive baritone has been heard around Northern California since the 1960’s, when he was a founding member of the popular Charlatans. His guitar blends beautifully with the vibrant voice of Neon.

Twice as Good, featuring the Native American father and son team of Rich and Paul Steward, have been favorites at the Blue Wing since it opened in 2005.

Since its formation six years ago, the group has released three CDs and toured all over the country. Whether Paul is diving off the stage, doing the splits, or dancing his way through the audience, he’ll have a big smile on his face as he’s out to entertain as well as to create great music.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Curtis Lawson has been singing his brand of authentic down-home blues at all the top spots in the SF Bay Area since 1958. A master showman, Curtis has written over 300 songs, headlined many festivals and appeared on stage with all the greats of the blues genre.

The library is located at 1425 N. High St.

Follow the adventures of Golden Fish as she makes a dream journey of discovery in the first book in the Dream River Adventure Series. Everyone is invited to meet Ms. Arruda and enjoy the story.

“Read To Me” story time is open to anyone who is interested in a good story, whether child or adult.

Each Wednesday at 2 p.m. the library story teller reads from a book that will appeal to book lovers

from ages eight to eighty.

Lakeport Library is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday noon to 8 p.m. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

With a library card, patrons have access to the collections of Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino County Libraries, amounting to more than one million books.

From the library’s online catalog, http://ipac.sonoma.lib.ca.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=laco#focus , or from an in-library catalog computer, a patron can request books from anywhere in the system and have them delivered to any library branch in the system. Contact your local branch for more information.

From right to left, front row, Donna Thomas, Margaret Whaley and Claire Gill; back row, Pat Beedle, Naomi Bruce, Sandra Orchid, Susan Dufrain, and Jean Wawak. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – The Ladies of the Lake are back and stepping high in the dynamic Golden Follies brand new production of "Thanks for the Memory."

Performances will be held at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main St., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and a matinée at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.

This highly energetic Las Vegas style dance group of very talented women will dazzle you with their routines and flamboyant costumes.

The idea for an all-senior review emerged from the popular dance classes of sisters Susan Bostwick and Diane Tembey-Stawicki, which are held in the Bay Area.

Thirty of these women are donating their time and talent in this show for a fundraiser for the Lake County Arts Council. They also enjoyed their time here in their past performances and are eager to return to beautiful Lake County.

All of these energetic dance numbers are produced, directed and choreographed by Bostwick and Diane Tembey-Stawicki, and their professionalism shows in the staging and timing of the dance routines.

The "Ladies of the Lake" add a special dimension to the show as they kick up their heels in "Big, Blonde and Beautiful" from Hairspray. Other numbers include tributes to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis and other music greats.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved seating. Reserved seating is available at the Soper-Reese box office from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 707-263-0577.

General admission is available at the Main Street Gallery, 707-263-6658; Catfish Books, 707-263-4454; and Wild About Books, 707-994-9453.