2019
SORT OF EVERY OTHER THURSDAY, JUNE 6 - AUGUST 29
6:30PM to 9:00PM
Join us this summer for Season Thirteen of Waterford River Rhythms at Village Hall Park.
We look forward to another seven amazing shows this year that are sure to provide that great summer vibe.
Our Mission is: "To continually provide an Upscale Event that will Enhance the Community."
- ROAD CONSTRUCTION -
The bridge and road construction work will be with us most of the summer. To get updates on the progress, visit the DOT web site for the latest information.
We have been blessed over the years with sponsors that continue to support us. This event simply would not go on without their help. Please recognize and support them, and tell them thank you whenever possible.
June 6
JACKIE BROWN BAND
On the heels of her second release and her first LP release "Life's A Party", Jackie Brown brings her new originals back to the Village Park stage. Jackie is now toeing the country / rock line, but with much more depth. Jackie’s robust, bluesy voice has somewhat of a Bonnie Raitt flair, but because Jackie has acquired so many vocal techniques over the years with stunning control, she has undeniably created her own style. Her songwriting is sharp both lyrically and musically, and her veteran Cream City players are top notch. Jackie brings a WAMI nomination with her again this year for "Female Vocalist of the Year." The awards show is in April, so whether she gets it or not, make sure to congratulate her when you see her. Jackie is guaranteed to bring a good show to the park, so come on out for a little bit of country rock! more on the Jackie Brown Band
June 20
ALTERED FIVE BLUES BAND
Altered Five Blues Band has been winning audiences with a swaggering stomp of bruising, barrelhouse grit. According to Downbeat Magazine, frontman Jeff Taylor “sings powerfully” and “Jeff Schroedl’s live-wire guitar reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity.” Blues Bytes Magazine declares the group “the funkiest rhythm section outside of Memphis” and the Milwaukee based quintet has recently won two 2018 WAMI awards including 'Song of the Year' and 'Blues Artist of the Year' !
Some of their latest work has been getting airplay on Sirius/XM Bluesville, and has been in the top of the charts on the iTunes Blues Store, hit #1 on the Roots Music Report Blues Album Chart, won 'Best Self-Released CD' at the International Blues Challenge and won 'Best Blues Song' at the Independent Music Awards at Lincoln Center in New York! more on Altered Five Blues Band
July 4 - two shows
THE WHISKEYBELLES - 3:00pm
Over the years numerous people have asked me to bring some country to the park. Even though I'm not a raving country fan, I've never been opposed either. My response to those that have asked has always been, "If I do, it has to be somebody a little different and really good." They closed out our season last year and everybody loved them. So... they are back!
The WhiskeyBelles are a traditional country, Americana trio based out of Milwaukee. Born of gin halls and juke joints, The Belles are widely known for captivating shows featuring their own take on classic and obscure vintage-country, Americana, folk-revival and roots-country tunes, with their own WAMI winning originals sprinkled in. They’ve been compared to the Pistol Annies, Dixie Chicks and The Trio (Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris & Linda Ronstadt).
The Belles bring with them this year the Shepherd Express Alt Country Band of the year award for 2018! more on The WhiskeyBelles
RUSH TRIBUTE PROJECT - 7:00pm
In case you haven't noticed, The Rush Tribute Project has been gaining some serious momentum.
RTP is not just a tribute band. They bring the magic of Rush’s famous live concerts to Village Hall Park. Covering all forty-plus years of Rush’s amazing career, RTP painstakingly recreates the sound and energy that has made Rush one of the top selling rock bands of all time. With a lineup that has performed Rush tribute shows for over a decade across North America and around the world including RushCon, RTP stands out as one of the premiere tributes to a legendary band.
This three-piece group uses vintage instruments, clothing and sounds to produce a Rush concert experience that is unparalleled for the casual fan as well as the most discerning Rush fan. more on The Rush Tribute Project
July 18
KING SOLOMON
The Milwaukee based Reggae Ambassadors, King Solomon, are known as the Kings of Reggae in Southeastern Wisconsin. With over two decades of awesome live performances, this award-winning group of talented musicians delivers a style described as "Dancehall-Roots Reggae with a soulful vibe."
As a mainstay on the Southeastern Wisconsin music scene, King Solomon has managed to embrace the Caribbean cultured music we call Reggae and bring it the forefront of the music scene in the area.
King Solomon has toured regionally and opened for such reggae greats as, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Burning Spear, Matisyahu, Maxi Priest and Third World. more on King Solomon
Wednesday, July 31
THE JIMMYS
The Jimmys have been ripping up stages with their blend of blues, soul, funk and R&B for nearly 10 years. Award-winning keyboardist/singer/songwriter Jimmy Voegeli has put together an all-star lineup: Perry Weber, veteran blues guitarist/singer/songwriter; Mauro Magellan, of the Georgia Satellites; John Wartenweiler with his powerful bass lines and deep groove; the Amateur Horn Stars - Pete Ross, Saxophone; and Mike Boman, trumpet - combine 40+ years' experience touring the world with Clyde Stubblefield, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Youngblood Brass Band, B.B. King and his All Stars, and many others.
This Madison based group has won multiple awards and has a growing legion of fans. You gotta get yourself to this show and find out what everyone's hollerin' about. more on The Jimmmys
August 15
STEELY DANE
OK, so we are going to try this again. This was the only show last year that we had to completely cancel due to weather and the fact that the band is too big for the Cotton Exchange stage. So help us out with the weather gods please...
It seemed like a crazy proposition, getting 20 of Dane County‘s best to perform the classics of Steely Dan. But that’s exactly what happened in the fall of 2013. The band, headed by Dave Adler and Dave Stoler, has been selling out venues ever since with their tribute to the talents of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.
Their label as “the ultimate Steely Dan tribute band” doesn’t really do them justice. Their ability to replicate the complex arrangements of the Dan’s original classic records is nothing short of amazing! This will be their second visit to the Park, so come on out and get your Fez on! more on Steely Dane
August 29
"TEARS DRY ON THEIR OWN": A TRIBUTE TO AMY WINEHOUSE
Join us for the performance of "Tears Dry On Their Own": A Tribute to Amy Winehouse. With Sally Blandon on vocals, and Grammy nominated trumpeter Victor Garcia leading her 10 Piece Big Band, they dig deep into the cockles of your heart as they take on some of Amy’s classic hits and other hidden treasures. Come with you-know-what on your sleeve and discover the love and heartbreak of Amy Winehouse.
SALLY BLANDON has been sharing her timeless voice all over the globe since 2005. Stages in the Caribbean Islands, Norway, England, Italy and across the United States have been privy to her dynamic voice and presence. Whether on or off the mic, Sally blasts her audience with vivacious and unapologetic emotion.
more on: Sally Blandon, more on: Victor Garcia.
Tears Dry on Their Own facebook page
photo credit: Kristi Nishimura
Sound Production
TNT SOUND
TNT Sound has been providing the professional touch in Sound and Lights since our beginning in 2007. Tedd has expanded his system almost every year to keep up with the continually growing audience. Tedd has been working in live audio for 30 years and attended Full Sail recording school. He prefers the challenge of mixing live rather than the studio setting. Tedd has worked with a long list of professional artists, including Mitch Ryder, Spider John Koerner, Phil Keaggy, Larry Norman, Tracy Grammar, Bill Staines, Mike Stone (of Queensryche), Rare Earth, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Allison Brown, Greg Brown and is also the preferred sound tech for the Lake Itasca Family Bluegrass Music Festival in Minnesota every year. Village Hall Park has never sounded this good! more on TNT Sound
Park Setup
OUR STAGE
In 2009 the Village of Waterford had a stage built for River Rhythms which eliminated our hefty stage rental fees. We had a say in the design process with criteria being a natural look that would blend into the park. With the awareness that this event brought to the park, numerous non-profits now utilize the park and the stage.
The original stage was 17ft wide x 13ft deep with a natural turf ramp, steps in the back and steps on the left side. For the 2015 season, the stage was expanded to 30ft wide x 20ft deep to accommodate the larger bands and bigger shows.
Food
THE COTTON EXCHANGE
The Cotton Exchange has been the exclusive food vendor for River Rhythms for quite some time now. They bring a bit of an upscale flair to festival food at reasonable pricing. They also have water and soft drinks for sale as well as the occasional desert !
The Cotton Exchange is also a full sponsor of the event. Learn more about the Cotton Exchange at: cottonexchangewi.com
Location
PARKING
Ample street parking is available through out the immediate area. You may find yourself walking a couple of blocks, but it's worth it! There is also a municipal parking lot right next door to the fire / police building. It's right across the river from the park, just a short walk across the bridge.
Village Hall Park is very close to our neighbors, so we appreciate your consideration for them. We very much want everyone to enjoy us being there, because it truly is the perfect place to be.
Select map for driving directions:
Village Hall Park | 123 N. River Street | Waterford, WI 53185
Shuttle Service
ALTERNATIVE PARKING
All WRR Fans realize that parking is less than ideal, and the construction this year has only made that worse. So, we have an idea that we are going to experiment with this year.
Waterford High School has given River Rhythms permission to use their staff parking lot as a drop off point. People can leave their cars in the lot on Center and Water Streets and take a Shuttle to the Park.
Shuttle Service
15 PERSON VAN
Boucher Chevrolet / Cadillac in Racine will be providing a 15 person van that will shuttle people from the High School to the Park and back again during the show. Look for the Boucher / River Rhythms logo on the side of the van!
Web Site courtesy of Waterford Design Technologies
Al Sikora, of Waterford Design, is the creator and co-founder of the event. He also manages production, promotion, sponsorship acquisition and is the music curator. Al can be contacted at the email addresses below.
Burlington
B-TOWN SOUNDS
Burlington has their version of River Rhythms called B-Town Sounds which runs on opposite Thursdays of River Rhythms. This way we all have access to FREE live music almost every week! The shows are held in Echo Park. Visit B-Town Sounds on Facebook for their schedule.
Waterford River Rhythms, Inc. is a Wisconsin 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation located in Waterford, WI.
Contact Us via email: General Information or for Band Inquiries
Band selection is juried and bias. We only hire bands that we can check out live.