Community looks good, feels good at blues fest'
<p>Kalispell residents Cheryl Ross, left, and Greg Iverson dance to the tunes of the Chris O'Leary Band Friday evening during the eighth annual Riverfront Blues Festival. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)</p>
<p>The Friday version of the eighth annual Riverfront Blues Festival inclued the Chris O'Leary Band with Chris O'Leary, left, Chris DiFrancesco and Matt Raymond. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)</p>
<p>Teri Kelly, left, and Sue Hjort enjoy an evening of blues during the eighth annual Riverfront Blues Festival Friday. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)</p>
<p>Chris O'Leary of the Chris O'Leary Band Friday at Riverfront Park. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)</p>
“You look good. Do you feel good?” Harlis Sweetwater chanted to the crowd at Riverfront Park.
Hundreds gathered for dancing, singing and blues at the Riverfront Blues Festival this weekend, along with celebrating the musically-talented youth in the Kootenai Valley.
The crowd cheered to the Chris O’Leary Band harmonica tunes, the beats of Black Mountain Moan, the guitar strumming of Jimmy D. Lane and the vocal harmonies of the Hot Flash Blues Band.
Many of the bands played original music along with classic rock and blues hits. Surrounding the event, guests lounged in folding chairs, many of whom enjoyed the Saucy Dogs gourmet sausages served in folded license plates.
On top of the entertainment and food, the Riverfront Blues Festival also gives back to the community through the Connecting Kids with Music Program. According to Johnette Watkins, the program has been around since 2014, giving away musical instruments, scholarships and free music and dance lessons to three deserving students from each Lincoln county community of Eureka, Troy and Libby.
Raiven Mathiason, 17, of Libby was recommended by several people to receive the award. For the past year, Mathiason has been saving up for a musician ambassador trip to Europe. At the festival, Mathiason received $1,000 to help pay for his trip.
Johnny Garcia of Eureka came highly recommended by his music teacher. Garcia plays the tuba, one of the more expensive instruments. At the festival, Garcia received a new mouthpiece for his tuba, and will also be getting a scholarship for private music lessons in Columbia Falls.
Annie Day, 15, of Troy, was surprised when she was awarded a free trumpet. According to Watkins, the Troy music teacher sent five students’ names to the program. The Connecting Kids with Music program volunteer then drew names out of a hat, selecting Annie Day’s name.
Reporter Bethany Rolfson may be reached at 293-4124 or by email at Reporter@TheWesternNews.com.