Listen to this!
Toad the Wet Sprocket will perform at the 2011 Basin Summer Sounds music festival during mid-July in Ephrata.
MOSES LAKE - Ephrata's annual Basin Summer Sounds concert series features 11 bands Friday and Saturday with a little of something for everyone.
The Average White Band, a 1970s funk band, headlines 9 p.m. Friday at the Grant County Courthouse, while alternative rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket take to the stage 9 p.m. Saturday to close the event.
The Grant County Courthouse is at 332 Division Ave. W in Ephrata.
In addition, rock, jazz, Irish and blues are just some of the genres represented at the concert series.
Best known for their instrumental hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the Average White Band is regarded by many as one of the best soul and funk bands. They have released several gold-selling albums and have received several Grammy Award nominations.
Founding members Alan Gorrie (lead vocals and bass) and Onnie McIntyre (guitar and vocals) are now joined by drummer Rocky Bryant, Fred 'Freddy V' Vigdor (saxophone and keyboard) and Klyde Jones (lead vocals, keyboard and bass) for the band's current lineup.
Toad the Wet Sprocket's melodic folk-pop sound helped make them one of the most successful alternative rock bands in the early 1990s.
After honing their sound in Santa Barbara bars, singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning and drummer Randy Guss recorded their debut LP, "Bread and Circus," which was initially sold locally as a homemade cassette. The album was followed by "Fear," featuring the band's popular single "All I Want."
Basin Summer Sounds features more than music. A farmers market, beer garden, wine tent, kids carnival, food and commercial vendors and 3-on-3 basketball tournament are part of the event.
The basketball tournament began in the summer of 2006 to raise funds for children going blind because of Glaucoma. It continues as a fundraiser for families facing unexpected medical expenses not covered by insurance.
New this year is the addition of two free raffles.
Basin Summer Sounds merchandise will be awarded for the first raffle, which helps organizers of the concert series gather information about where people attending the event are from, why they came and what artists they'd like to see in the future.
To fill out a free raffle ticket, stop by the merchandise booth or beverage ticket table. Prizes will be awarded between band performances.
To participate in the second raffle, stop by a participating business to fill out a raffle form for free for a chance to win $250. The prize will be awarded before Toad the Wet Sprocket's performance on Saturday.
For more information, visit www.basinsummersounds.com.