In the Dutchess County Spotlight

It's that time of the year. Music festivals are probably one of my favorite things about summer, and if they're free, it makes it even better. This festival, slated for Saturday, June 30th, is sure to have something for everyone. 

Back again in 2012 is Beacon RiverFest and it's less than a month away. Located right on the Hudson River, Riverfront Park is a beautiful venue for such a great event, just a few steps away from the Beacon train station. There are a half-dozen bands performing including:

• New York City based duo Schwervon! includes Matt Mason on the electric guitar and Nan Turner on the drums. With a sound described as a kind of rough indie pop, Schwervon! have released four albums, and have toured in the US and abroad with names like The Vaselines, Belle and Sebastian,Kimya Dawson, The Thermals, Jeffrey Lewis, The Essex Green, Comet Gain, Herman Dune, Veronica Falls, The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and others.
• The Wiyos are a band born out of the five-points district of lower Manhattan. Their style is hard to identify, with its blend of classic 1920s swing with modern day folk. Through hard work and dedication to their craft, which meant playing wherever they could, including gigs in bars, parties, coffee houses, street fairs, or even just in the plain streets, their popularity grew, and they were rewarded.  In 2009 they were Bob Dylan to be the openers for his 28-date minor league baseball stadium summer tour with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.
• Brooklyn Qawwali Party is one of the most diverse music performances you will ever see. With its 11-piece ensemble, which includes a tenor and alto saxophone, a trumpet, two trombones, a French horn, acoustic bass, electric guitar, harmonium, and a variety of percussion instruments, as well as a set of drums, this brilliant mash up of jazz and Qawwali will have you moving to their groove, from when they pick up their instruments, all the way to the end of their set.
• The Figgs are a rock band born out of Saratoga Springs, NY. Started in the summer of 1987, the band has been together now for more than 20 years. With nine full-length albums, their style has been described as smart, hooky-pop, and has a great vibe.
• The Octomen, formed in 2005 and playing out of Beacon, play their brand of 60s influenced rock.
• The M Shanghai String Band of Brooklyn, started in 2002 as a monthly show in the basement of a local Chinese restaurant, the M Shanghai Bistro. Locals began to call the band "M Shanghai".

With more than 30 vendors on location, there will be no shortage of options for food and beverage throughout the day. Also on display will be a number of crafts vendors, such as Sand Art, Native Crafts, People's Bicycles and others. 

New this year is a tent set up just for kids and families. With a magician, face painting, hula hoops, Imagination Playground!, and big bubbles, the kids are sure to have a great time too. 

Whether you are coming up or going down to Beacon RiverFest 2012, it's sure to be a fun-filled day on the river for everyone, so stop by on June 30th from noon until dusk; for details www.local845.com