Twenty bands, five venues, two nights = WI-Fest 2009

Jimi Hendrix once said that rock ‘n roll was about filling up the chest cavities, empty kneecaps and elbows of the audience.

Well, next week in Langley rockers, folkies, bluegrassers and pop lovers can have their fill and then some during the Whidbey Island Emerging Artist Festival’s newest event, WI-Fest 2009.

Producers Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and Allikat Productions have invited 20 bands to perform for two evenings at WICA, and the satellite locations of Mike’s Place, Prima Bistro, Useless Bay Coffee Company and the Edgecliff Restaurant and Lounge starting at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday May 22 and 23.

Performing on the WICA mainstage Friday night are Global Heat, a hip hop jazz band, acoustic pop artist Kris Orlowski, the pop band Lolli and the funky Volifonix.

On Saturday, WICA hosts the bluegrass sound of Lincoln Crockett, rhythm and blues artist Ron Greene, the pop sound of Jordan Lake and his band and Unkle Nancy and the Family Jewels playing its particular brand of pirate folk rock with blues, country and gypsy influences.

Additional guest artists performing at satellite locations include Terry Holder, Cabin Fever NW, VerleeRose, Mark Ward, Kites & Crows, Cody Beebe, Julia Massey & the Five Finger Discount and LaForza.

Organizers said the mission of WI-Fest is to give rising musical talent an opportunity to perform with their peers to audiences who love music. Whidbey Island is just the place, they said, to find that audience.

Tickets range in price from $5 to $26 and are available by calling 221-8268 or 800-638-7631 or click here.

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