A day of music and dancing will take place Saturday, May 31, beginning with the Kiwanis Club of Ramona’s 16th Music Festand concluding with the second annual Haybarn Dance.
“Have some fun, get something to eat and drink, the festivities and enjoy the music — that’s what it’s all about,” said Pat Bell, co-chair of the Kiwanis event.
The day kicks off with Music Fest from noon to 6 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane. In addition to six hours of music and dancing, guests can enjoy food, kettle corn, soft drinks, wine and beer, a family fun zone, prizes, raffle items and a silent auction.
A special drawing will be held for a four-burner Blackstone griddle. Tickets are $10 each and the winner doesn’t have to be present to win.
Four bands will be performing throughout the day — Ron’s Garage Band, Rewind, Flat Head Sixx and the Rockhounds.
“They all play 70s and 80s rock’n’roll, with Rewind playing some country,” Bell said. “It’s all dance music.”
Rewind, a cover band from Ramona, plays a variety of music genres from the 70s to the present. They often focus on 80s dance hits.
Ron’s Garage Band, founded by Ron Wheeler, offers classic rock with a twist of soul.
Flat Head Sixx is a classic rock band well-known for playing Cruisin’ Grand and the Gopher Hole in Escondido.
The Rockhounds, who have been playing San Diego venues since 1995, focus on danceable hits from the 60s to the 80s.
Stand-up comedian Ty Shelton of Lakeside will be Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event, Bell said.
Sponsors are still needed. For information, visit ramonakiwanis.org, the RamonaKiwanis Facebook page or call 619-871-3721.
All proceeds Ramona Kiwanis Club youth programs and projects benefitting the Ramona community, Bell said.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door for adults, $10 for youth aged 11 to 17 and youngsters aged 10 and under are free with an adult. Tickets can be purchased online at ramonakiwanis.org., pay at the door with cash or credit card, or make checks payable to Kiwanis Club of Ramona Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 275, Ramona, CA 92065.
The day of tunes and dance moves isn’t over when Music Fest winds down. Doors to the Haybarn Dance open at 5 p.m., with showtime from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The event takes place at Reds, Whites & Brews, 629 Main St.
“It’s all about the music,” said Ashley E. Norton, the lead singer of Dolly’s Revenge, who is co-chairing the event with Craig Fischer of Farm Truck. “We like to bring out of town bands to Ramona with a different lineup every time.”
Featuring all types of Americana music and a majority of singer/songwriters, performers will include Matt Axton, Dolly’s Revenge, Farm Truck, Caitlin Cannon, Astra Kelly, Thea The Band and Natalie Price.
Norton said this year’s performers come not only from Ramona and San Diego, but from Los Angeles, Arizona, Nashville and Austin.
Axton has penned more than 300 original tunes. The singer/songwriter/guitarist has three albums, “Blue Sky Rain,” “Matthew C. Axton” and “Boon.”
Axton’s musical legacy includes his father, Hoyt Axton, who wrote the beloved tune “Joy to the World,” and “Never Been to Spain” for Three Dog Night, as well as songs for a number of other bands. His grandmother, Mae Boren Axton, co-wrote “Heartbreak Hotel” for Elvis Presley.
On Sunday, June 1, Axton will perform at Ramona Family Naturals Market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fischer has described Farm Truck’s country Americana sound as a combination of Tom Petty roots rock with Steve Earle Texas country and a touch of The Replacements.
Dolly’s Revenge, formerly Lady Psychiatrist’s Booth, is a high-energy, all-female Americana band.
Artist and songwriter Astra Kelly is known for her lyric-based melodic sounds and vocals, drawing from her Chicago soul roots fused with Indie folk and Americana.
Thea The Band, of Ramona, has described her music as “cosmic American music from the heart, for the soul.”
Caitlin Cannon is known for her “really witty songwriting,” Norton said. Cannon’s music includes humor, vulnerability, satire and sincerity with sharp, cutting lyrics.
Natalie Price describes her music as an “Amerikinda” mix of pop, folk and a little twist of country.
Norton said the parking lot at Reds will be open so there will be more places for guests to mingle and dance this year. Performances will take place on two stages.
The event is sponsored by RamonaRadio.com. There will be at least one food truck on site, and plenty of local food establishments around, many of which will deliver to the event.
Tickets are $20 presale, $25 at the door, visit: haybarn.brownpapertickets.com to purchase.
“This is a great way to visit Ramona and see what the music scene is like here,” Fischer said. “And it’s a great way to kick off spring.”
