Summer ends with a Wink

Aug. 29, 2007

Christopher “Wink” Winkelmann is hosting “Wink’s Mid-West Music-Fest” this Saturday, September 1 at the InsideOut Gallery in the warehouse district of Traverse City. Wink wants to put a musical exclamation point on the close of summer.
“We are going to have 12 hours of non-stop music starting at noon. It is going to be an ecletic offering from regional and visiting musicians,” said Wink. “Mike Curths, owner of InsideOut, and I started talking about creating an end of the summer music festival, and everything just evolved from there.”
At $15 a person, which includes some complimentary beverages, Wink sees the festival as a real bargain.
“It will be the best deal anywhere this weekend,” said Wink. “The talent level is high -- some of these bands command that much just to see them. Add in the complimentary beverages, and this is going to be a great day.”
One of those notable acts is The Ethan Keller Group. A hit in his hometown of Milwaukee, the folky Keller blends melodic pop with a taste of jazz. In 2001 he won the Jim Beam National Band Search and has appeared on the Jenny Jones show and MTV.
“I am fortunate that not only Keller, but all the acts are performing for simply a cut of the door, no guarantee. This is a new festival and a new idea, and they understand that. So their commitment to it is making this happen,” said Wink. “It is always a challenge with something new, but I am confident that with the mix of music, beverage and food, this is going to work.”
Wink knows a thing or two about food. In addition to being a musician and playing in the band Soul Patch, he is the proprietor and chef at the Home Grown Organic Eatery, also located in the warehouse district. Wink will be offering reasonably priced fare throughout the day and evening.
“I am calling it ‘Don’t Let The Summer Die Menu,’ because the theme here will be on BBQ,” said Wink. “When you arrive, you will be given a menu, and we will have waitstaff at InsideOut, so whenever you want to order, you may. We will have all the standard BBQ fare, including vegetarian offerings. Plus we are keeping the prices down well, below what a festival normally would charge.”
He is also excited that the event is turning into a CD release party for his band.
“We didn’t plan this -- it just happened that our debut CD will be ready. So for $5 more you can take that home with you,” said Wink. “The 10 songs consist of originals that span the decades, starting with songs written by Mando in the ‘70s. The CD is eclectic with everything from reggae to bluegrass to a lot of stuff in between. We recorded this live at Radius on one take and minimal editing.”
Soul Patch will follow The Ethan Kellar Group to close the marathon of music that includes Prisoners of Paradise (Beaver Island), Blind Dog Hank (TC), Breathe Owl Breathe (Ann Arbor), Luke Winslow King (New Orleans), Fun-Dub-Mentals (TC), and 10footz (Cadillac), with dj Nesta working the tunes between bands.
Advance tickets and additional information may be found at the Home Grown Eatery, (231)932-4690, or at the InsideOut Gallery, (231) 929-3254. Online information and a sampling of the music to be offered is at: myspace.com/soulpatchisneat. Wink’s Mid-West Music-Fest takes place from Noon to Midnight on September 1 at the Inside Out Gallery.