Seeing nationally known musicians up close and maybe even getting to jam with them is part of the appeal of the music festival, said Susan Zerwick, one of the festival organizers.
"This town is full of musicians this weekend," she said. "People can gather in informal groups and jam."
Other Outside groups performing include Vancouver, B.C., roots artist Marion Walsh and Seattle singer-songwriter Wes Weddell. Alaska musicians performing are Shawn Zuke and Milo Matthews, Tom Begich, bluegrass group Billy Goat, the Dan MAC Band, Esther Golton, Mamma Tonga Band, Susan Mumma, Relatively Famous, Sarahndipity, Seekbob, Seafarin' Strangers and the Seldovia Fiddlers.
Returning to Seldovia is San Francisco musician Joe Craven, who visited before with Allison Brown. A member of the David Grisman Quintet for 17 years, Craven has become known for making music with found objects.
Accompanied by Howard on steel guitar, Bowles blends folk and rock with a little bit of country. Bowles was a New Folk finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and his most recent CD, "Rally at the Texas Hotel," was released on Judy Collins' Wildflower label.
The Seldovia Summer Music Festival got its start in a tent on Seldovia's Main Street, but has grown to the still intimate 200-seat "Ottertorium" at Susan B. English School.
"You feel really up close and personal with the musicians," Zerwick said. "That's one of the strengths of the festival."
Two evening performances start at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a song circle at 10 a.m. Saturday and workshops from 1-4 p.m. Saturday.
"It gives people time to enjoy Seldovia, which is part of the reason people come over," Zerwick said of the performance schedule.
With Susan B. English School, the harbor and most inns, shops and restaurants within walking distance of each other, visitors have time to stroll around town or hike local trails between performances and concerts. Rainbow Tours and Central Charters offer daily tours to Seldovia, or visitors can take an air taxi with Smokey Bay Air or Homer Air. Hotels and B&Bs offer overnight lodging, or visitors can camp out at the city campground on the outside beach. For more information, visit the music festival Web site at seldoviamusicfestival.org.
Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.
The Summer Solstice Music Festival runs on the longest days of the year, Friday-Saturday, but music lovers can join Bowles, Howard also known as Captain Midnight and Craven on today's M/V Tustumena ferry trip. The ferry leaves at 11:55 a.m. from the ferry dock. The trio are the hosts of a song circle on the two-hour ride over. 
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Homer Alaska - Arts -
Story last updated at
11:11 PM on
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Seldovia sings with summer music festival
Being up close and personal with musicians big attraction
BY MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
STAFF WRITER
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