Music dispels rainy day blues
The weather at the end of the week was not the kind you want for an outdoor music gig. So it was a relief when this weekend’s Nelson Arts Festival act at Neudorf Vineyards took place under a perfect blue sky.
‘‘It always seems to clear up for this event,’’ said festival director Charlie Unwin, who got up early to double-check that a wet weather venue would not be required for The Shuffle Demons after two days of persistent rain.
The group of five Canadian musicians made easy work of chasing away any vestiges of rainy day blues among the more than 200 people gathered at the vineyard in the Moutere Hills on Saturday afternoon.
Making an entrance as they played and strutted through the audience, the three saxophonists, drummer and upright bass player soon got people on their feet with a high-energy performance of original jazzfunk tracks.
‘‘The world is a crazy place, and not everyone has a smile on their face,’’ sang Richard Underhill, on alto sax and vocals.
Performing at the vineyard was ‘‘well worth the 30-hour trip from Toronto’’, Underhill told the crowd.
Those in the crowd soaked up the sun and positive vibes.
Jo O’Sullivan came over from Blenheim for the weekend to see four gigs, and attended Saturday afternoon’s performance only after a friend suggested it.
‘‘It didn’t take much convincing,’’ she said, settled on a picnic blanket with a glass of wine, and the snow-capped western ranges in the distance.
Beth Beauchamp from Nelson said she went to a show ‘‘just about every day’’ during the festival. ‘‘I never miss Neudorf. The beautiful weather, drinking wine in the vineyards on a sunny day with some dancing, music – it’s just spectacular.’’