Straight out of Winona, Wildflower, a contemporary folk outfit, kicks things off at the Peace Plaza stage this afternoon at 5 p.m. The quartet consists of a guitarist, keyboard player, flutist and a cellist, so expect a soothing departure from the more typical instrument combinations heard around the city.
Wildflower plays a mix of folk standards and original material with a special emphasis on melody; for more, head over to their website, musicbyamandagrace.com/main/epk-wildflower.
Ska-loving Rochester cover act After School Special brings their talents to the the First Avenue stage at 5 p.m. Their songlist contains heat from all over the place, including cuts by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Van Morrison, the Isley Brothers, Jason Mraz, and the Commodores. The fact that the band pairs its selections with a three-piece horn section is just icing on the cake. For more, check out their Facebook page, facebook.com/afterschoolspecialmn.
Irish folk trio Makem & Spain hits the Peace Plaza stage at 7 p.m. to give the city a full dose of three-part male vocal harmonies. According to the band's website, makem.com, the trio is steeped in Irish musical heritage and currently pushing the genre into the future, so expect to hear a wide range of history pumping out of the speaker towers.
Finally, interdimensional "jamgrass" courtesy of the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will take off at 7 p.m. on the First Avenue stage. This Twin Cities crew is a regular feature in Rochester watering holes throughout the year, but if you're unfamiliar with their sound, head over to galacticcowboyorchestra.com for a window into their corner of the sonic galaxy.
ADVERTISEMENT
This week's music:
-- Wildflower, contemporary folk from Winona, 5 p.m.. Peace Plaza stage
-- After School Special, pop/rock from Rochester, 5 p.m. First Avenue stage
-- Makem & Spain, Irish trio, 7 p.m. Peace Plaza stage
-- Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, jamgrass/art-rock/eclectic jam band from the Twin Cities, 7 p.m. First Avenue stage
If you go
Street market: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. First Avenue Southwest from the Peace Plaza to Third Street Southwest, downtown Rochester.
Admission: Free.
ADVERTISEMENT
Music programmed in partnership with Rochester Downtown Alliance and Riverside Concerts.
Aug. 27: Thomas and the Shakes, Knu Funk, Trapper Schoepp & the Shades, Enemy Planes.
