Based in Northern California, Tempest is recognized as a driving force in the modern folk-rock movement. Fusing traditional material with high-energy rock intensity, the band is renowned for its dynamic and electrifying concerts.
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Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 19 years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area-based act release twelve critically acclaimed CDs and play more than 2,000 gigs.
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Karfluki Fest 2006 will showcase a reunion performance of
Tempest's "Surfing to Mecca" line-up, from the 1993-94 era.
Featuring Ian Butler, Lief Sorbye, Jon Berger, Rob Wullenjohn
and Adolfo Lazo, this one-off performance is not to be missed!

Those halcyon days of the late 60's produced more than their share of San Francisco bands. Here's one who definitely left their mark. Most famous for their song 'White Bird,' a melancholy ballad that stood out not only for its memorable vocal melody and "seize the day" message, but also for front man David Laflamme's slow-burning violin solo.
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Evolving out of the San Francisco rock scene of the 1960s, Big Brother was in the forefront of the psychedelic music movement. "Big Brother and the Holding Company was a prime example of a band where the chemistry was right, where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. You cannot buy or manufacture the natural feeling that was in that band. Big Brother played from the heart and soul with the goal of achieving a direct connection with the innermost feelings of the audience."

Fairport Convention
http://www.fairportconvention.com

The members of this exciting band are Simon Nicol (guitars, vocal), Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, vocal), and Ric Sanders (violin). Fairport Convention is, of course, renowned as the group that invented the British folk-rock genre. From its formation in 1967, Fairport has had its ups and downs – mostly 'ups' luckily – and recently won the coveted BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award. Fairport's greatest strength has always been playing live. This tour of the band's acoustic line-up lets audiences enjoy the performance up close. The show is a mellow mix of old and new. As well as a wide selection of favourite Fairport compositions and tried and trusted traditional songs and tunes, the band takes fleet-footed diversions into jazz standards and swing classics. During four decades, Fairport Convention has built an enviable reputation for adaptability and innovation – and the current tour proves that Fairport is still able to stretch itself and the range of music it plays.

Wicked Tinkers
www.wickedtinkers.com

The emotion and power of the Great Highland Bagpipe and various ethnic drums dueling with an Australian aboriginal instrument, the Digeridoo, and the Bronze-Age Irish Horn – a sound lost for over three millennium – explode into tribal sounds of the Scottish Highlands, Ireland and the many lands graced by the Gaelic people. Does this seem too good to be true? Then engage with the mesmerizing music and humorous exploits of the WICKED TINKERS and you won't stop dancing.
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Fishtank Ensemble is a lively group offering a unique blend of Romanian folk music and other colorful elements -- Gypsy, Balkan, Flamenco, Klezmer, and Swedish folk music, Gypsy jazz and and original tunes. The arrangements are delightful and feature instruments from many countries such as violin, accordion, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, shamisen, contrabass, percussion, saw and voice. From the smoky cafes of Bucharest to the Gypsy caravans of yesterday, Fishtank Ensemble evokes the spirit of a past age with the sounds of tomorrow.

Slim Bawb & Gator Bait
www.beerdawgs.com/g_dawg.html

Slim Bawb & Gator Bait play "swampgrass" music. Their debut CD "Ghost Dawg" came out last April. Slim Bawb is Bob Pearce leader/songwriter for the Sacramento based band "The Beer Dawgs" for the past 20 years. Slim Bawb plays banjo, reso-guitar, mandolin & mojo stomp. Gator Bait are Andrew Browne: Double Bass & Olen Dillingham: Fiddle & mandolin. The Newest Gator is Steve Stizzo: Accordion. Andrew is a former "Beer Dawg" & Olen as well as Slim Bawb was born on January 8th (that's right, Elvis's birthday!) Steve Stizzo plays in the popular Northern California band "Mumbo Gumbo"& is also the unofficial mayor of Roseville. Their next CD "Slim Bawb & Gator Bait" will be out this summer. Check "em out Jack.

Trio Piel Canela features a blend of traditional Mexican music in the mariachi style. This year, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, Piel Canela will open Karfluki Fest with selections from Boleros, Rancheras, Corridos, and the Romantics of the mariachi songbook.

Sierra Spiral Dancers
www.sierraspiraldancers.com

The Sierra Spiral Dancers are an American Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Troupe. As an ever-evolving caravan of performers, you can expect to see dancers that include all ages and come from a variety of dance backgrounds. Troupe Director "Neshamah" has been dancing for over 30 years. With 11 years of Turkish and Egyptian-focused training and a diverse continuing education of workshops and classes, her choreography creates the stunning foundation of their performances. With music and dances that transcend cultural barriers, the Sierra Spiral Dancers perform intricate group and solo dances armed with a variety of props including veils, swords and zills to create a truly extraordinary experience.

George "The Giant" (standing 7'3" tall) has been performing professionally since 1991. To date, George has been seen in amusement parks such as Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm, publications ranging from "The Globe" and "The National Enquirer" to "Esquire Magazine," and television shows including "Touched By An Angel," local news programs, and even national talk shows. The Giant has toured the U.S. and Canada performing at colleges, night clubs, street fairs, and Renaissance festivals.

At the age of twelve George saw his first sword swallower and fire eater doing things he was told the human body could not do. He was not happy with this explanation. He knew what he saw. So with research and a burning desire to learn, he taught himself how to perform these feats of daring. George is now one of the few sword swallowers in the world. It has been said that George "The Giant" is one of the most complete side show performers around today... and the tallest!

The Reel Stepsisters

Auburn's own, "The Reel Stepsisters" not only love to dance the "Reel", but also enjoy gettin' jiggy with a "Jig" or two! This high energy "Irish Step Dance Duo" have danced for most of their lives; and for the past eight years, have performed together at Celtic Festivals, both near and far. Their self-choreographed performance is an exciting addition to any Celtic stage show!

Controlled Burn is a troupe of talented fire performance artists, formed in the year 2000, whose true passion is fire. They hail from the diverse Truckee Meadows region of Northern Nevada, and enjoy presenting their trademark offerings of very large flame. Further defined by a cast of troupe members from all walks of life, they thrill audiences with the intentional interaction between fire and the humans attempting to create vivid and moving work with a living medium.

Out Of Kontrol
Defying natural selection, 4 jugglers at a time
http://www.ookjugglers.com

Out Of Kontrol is a performance crew famous for putting a lack of sobriety before safety. Never to let a drink get in the way of a darn good trick, Out Of Kontrol delights audiences with a stunning array of antics -- whether jugglings, improv stunts, or random flaming inspirations. Always willing to tumble the extra mile, Out Of Kontrol is the perfect addition to any wedding, funeral or Bat Mitzvah. Hey!

SaDa Fuego Fire Performance Troupe
www.sadafuego.com

SaDa Feugo is a community initially created to bring together the fire dancers of the Sacramento Valley region. Their emblem of the Green and Burning Tree is an ancient Celtic sigil, one of unity that represents the balance between the bright flame of inspiration and the grounded, growing being that may not be consumed by flames.

Jeffrey Weissman
www.jeffreyweissman.com

Jeffrey Weissman's physical comedy transcends language and culture. He's made millions of people delight in his comic magic playing A Renaissance Fool, Charlie Chaplin, Pulcinella, among others!
Jeffrey has appeared in dozens of motion pictures and TV shows, most notably in the co-starring as 'George McFly' in the 'Back to the Future 2 & 3' sequels, as 'Teddy Conway' with Clint Eastwood in 'Pale Rider' and with John Lithgow in 'Twilight Zone' the movie and as 'Screech's Guru' on 'Saved By The Bell'.