IRVAC is “Bringin’ it All Back Home”

Judy Hoyle, IVN Contributing Writer

Broadway Phil and the Shouters headline “Dance at the Dome” Saturday, July 12, at Takilma Community Building, 9367 Takilma Road.
The theme for the event, “Bringin’ it All Back Home” reflects Broadway Phil Newton’s life journey because he first moved to the Illinois Valley in 1983, and his first show here was at a riding arena near Takilma, with a band called the Hi Tops.
In a text message Newton recalled, “I’d been coming up here from the Bay Area since the 70’s, and moved here permanently to start a band. Glad I did!”
The group is an R & B / Roots band and features Newton on harmonica, Dave Mathieu on drums, Leonard Griffie on guitar and Gary Davis on bass.

“This July marks our 31st anniversary,” Newton continued. “Dave and I started the band in July, 1994 with the goal of establishing a roots and blues tradition in Southern Oregon.”
All four musicians have worked professionally for years.
With both the Shouters and others, Newton has worked with Curtis Salgado, Huey Lewis, Dave Mason, Robben Ford, Jerry Miller and “Roomful of Blues” to name a few.
Davis has had a decades-long career with blues and rock outfits, working with bands including “Iron Butterfly” and “Canned Heat.”
Griffie toured Europe with Karen Lovely and has fronted his own bands and Mathieu drummed, sang and wrote for alt rock band “West of Arizona”, and is in demand as a session drummer.
As a band, the Shouters have toured as far west as Maui and as far east as Memphis, along with the main stages of Siskiyou Blues Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival and others. Their CD’s will be for sale.
Music this Saturday starts at 5:30 p.m. with opening act “Fork in the Road” offering an eclectic mix of genres from bluegrass to rock.
The group consists of alumni from both “East Fork” and “Lonesome Road” including Robert Hirning on banjo, Mick Shepherd on bass, Art Linnemeyer on guitar and Jerry Lamb on beat box.
Walt Baumback and his daughter, Kimberly, play a variety of percussion instruments, as well as Walt on harmonica and Kimberly on guitar and mandolin.
Doors open at 4 p.m. and guests are welcomed to enjoy tacos or burritos along with their choice of wine, beer, soft drinks and desserts.
The event is a fundraiser for “Learning Through Arts” workshops in Illinois Valley public schools, sponsored by Illinois River Valley Arts Council (IRVAC).
Live auction items include new decorated garden gates by Barbara Ford, Linda Naydol, Barb Padgett and Jill Shidler, which honor the Gateway Project of 2023.
Silent auction items include Hawaiian shirts and fabrics donated by Judy Carpenter, artwork and gift baskets.
Admission is sliding scale from $10 to $20 dollars.
IRVAC’s board of directors and members thank event supporters Caves Chevron, Evergreen Federal Bank, First Community Credit Union and Washington Federal Bank.
For further information, please visit www.irvac.org, the IRVAC Facebook page or call 541-592-4444 during regular business hours.