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Street beat returns to Vail

Daily Staff Reportsnewsroom@vaildaily.comVail CO, Colorado

VAIL, Colorado Hump Day never sounded so good this winter as the Vail Valley Foundation kicks off the 10th anniversary celebration of the popular Bud Light Street Beat free concert series on Wednesday evenings.Originally conceived during the winter of 1999-2000, Bud Light Street Beat brings music from around the country to the streets of Vail Village and Lionshead for weekly free concerts for residents and guests. In addition, Eagle, Lake and Summit County locals have the opportunity to register at each show to win a 2009 Volvo C-30, while out of town guests can also sign up to win an all-expense paid vacation back to the Vail Valley.Its hard to believe that Bud Light Street Beat is 10 years old, said Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. Since its inception, Bud Light Street Beat has developed the same loyal following that its summer counterpart, Bud Light Hot Summer Nights, enjoys. Both locals and guests are planning their Wednesday evenings around what they want to do before and after Street Beat.Headlining the opening free performance on Wednesday at Vails Checkpoint Charlie will be the former member of The Black Crowes, Marc Ford, with The Neptune Blues Band. Ford has put together a contagious, high octane rock and roll dance band, constructed on a solid foundation of L.A. roots royalty and featuring Fords too heavy to be angelic vocals.

Februarys pair of free shows will feature the New Orleans horn sounds of Rebirth Brass Band on Feb. 11 and the unique world beat of Panjea on Feb. 25. Known for combining traditional Crescent City brass band music with funk, jazz and soul influences, Rebirth Brass Band is one of the pillars of the New Orleans music scene.Panjea commingles hip hop and dancehall beats with traditional African rhythms, featuring lyrics that challenge the listener. Their powerful groove and socially-conscious message harkens back to the ghettos of Zimbabwe. Panjea was selected for the series through a Vail Daily readers poll.Four free shows will highlight the March calendar with Yo Mamas Big Fat Booty Band on March 4, The Indulgers on March 11, a special American Ski Classic performance on March 19 and John Browns Body on March 25.With a mix of triumphant horns, laid-back grooves and heavy back beats, Yo Mamas Big Fat Booty Bands music an only be described as one style … bounce music, while The Indulgers have been at the cusp of Colorados Celtic and Irish musical tradition since 1998. John Browns Body will challenge the usual notions of contemporary reggae, incorporating instruments like the African kora and cello into their unique musical journey.A trio of April shows will usher out both the 10th anniversary season and winter in the Vail Valley with Hells Belles on April 1, Everlast on April 8, and the final Bud Light Street Beat show and Volvo Grand Prize drawings with Chadzilla & The Asteroids on April 15.The premier all-female AC/DC tribute band, Hells Belles are the closest one can get to AC/DC without moving to Australia and joining the road crew, while Erik Schrody, better known by his stage name, Everlast, will bring his genre-crossing mix of hip hop and acoustic-based rock to the Arrabelle at Vail Square.For the finale, 80s tribute band Chadzilla & the Asteroids bring back the fun, the shredding, the harmonies and the unforgettable sounds of the 80s, transporting you back to a time when everything was neon and the stand-up video games ruled the universe.All Bud Light Street Beat shows get underway at 6 p.m. and will be held at either Checkpoint Charlie in Vail Village or at the Arrabelle at Vail Square in Lionshead. The special American Ski Classic show will be hosted at Golden Peak and will be the lone performance not held on a Wednesday.Eagle, Lake and Summit County locals may register once each week for a chance to win the Volvo Grand Prize, while out of town guests can sign up at any show for the chance to return to Vail.For additional information, visit http://www.streetbeatconcerts.com.


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