Letters | Thanks for supporting the first Valley Blues Walk, says Boxleys owner

The first-ever North Bend Blues Walk was a great success thanks to everyone involved. More than 1,200 people came out on Saturday, April 20, filling 13 venues downtown. Following in the same fashion as the successful Jazz Walk last September, music could be found all up and down North Bend Way from 6 to midnight and patrons wandered from venue to venue, enjoying the experience of it all. We had a great group of new venues added to the list with music in some unconventional places. There was live music in a retail storefront like Birches Habitat and a car dealership showroom like Chaplin’s Chevrolet. Thanks to all our host venues, the Pour House, Snoqualmie Valley Moose Lodge, Pioneer Coffee, Birches Habitat, Emerald City Smoothie, North Bend Theatre, Twede’s Cafe, Euro Lounge Cafe, George’s Bakery, Valley Center Stage, Boxley’s, Chaplin’s, and Scott’s Dairy Freeze.

May 17, 2013 5:22 pm

Thanks for supporting the first Valley Blues Walk

The first-ever North Bend Blues Walk was a great success thanks to everyone involved. More than 1,200 people came out on Saturday, April 20, filling 13 venues downtown. Following in the same fashion as the successful Jazz Walk last September, music could be found all up and down North Bend Way from 6 to midnight and patrons wandered from venue to venue, enjoying the experience of it all.

We had a great group of new venues added to the list with music in some unconventional places. There was live music in a retail storefront like Birches Habitat and a car dealership showroom like Chaplin’s Chevrolet. Thanks to all our host venues, the Pour House, Snoqualmie Valley Moose Lodge, Pioneer Coffee, Birches Habitat, Emerald City Smoothie, North Bend Theatre, Twede’s Cafe, Euro Lounge Cafe, George’s Bakery, Valley Center Stage, Boxley’s, Chaplin’s, and Scott’s Dairy Freeze.

The event was sponsored and produced by the non-profit 501(c)3 Boxley Music Fund, which is organized and run by members who want to support live music programs and education in the Snoqualmie Valley.

We want to recognize the Blues Walk committee chairperson, Audrey Paisley, for her exceptional role in organizing the event. Audrey also had a great team helping including Paul Green, Karen Granger, Pat Cutchins, Courtney Cutchins, Bob Baumann, Linda Grez and another 40 or so volunteers.

The music was fabulous, all night long. More than 40 musicians showed up with a variety of bands including T-Town Aces, Blues Redemption, Katie Bourne, Nick Vigarino, Rod Cook, Eric Madis, The Wired Band, Brian Lee Trio, Kim Field, Paul Green, Brian Butler, Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys, Dan O’Bryant, John Stephan Band, James King & the Southsiders, Mark Riley, Little Bill and the Blue Notes.

We also want to thank our sponsors, without whom this would not have been possible. They include the city of North Bend, Jeff Warren Insurance, Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, PC Bennett Consulting, the Valley Record, Intek Integration Technologies, Birdsong Cottage, Hauglie Insurance, Weaver Financial, Frankie’s Pizza, Encompass, the Si View Community Foundation, Eric J. Opsvig, DDS, Clear View Tree Service, Tanner Electric, Replicator Graphics, Blues To Do, the Washington Blues Society, the SnoValley Star, Singletrack Cycles, Sno Falls Credit Union, B.A.B, Big Star Studios, Twin Star Car Wash, North Bend Therapeutic Massage, Assist 2 Sell, Bob Baumann & Friends, Acacia Hair Salon, Destiny by Design, SnoValley Coffee, Carmichael’s and Better Properties Real Estate.

What’s next? It’s time to start planning for the second annual North Bend Jazz Walk, September 20. Mark your calendars! You don’t want to miss this one.

Thanks again for all your support.

Danny Kolke

North Bend