Rock & Rails kicks off

This year's Rock & Rails season kicked off–appropriately–with the high-energy funk music of Funkiphino.

Niwot's free summer concert series runs every Thursday night, June through August, in Whistle Stop Park. As the recipient of the 2006 Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence for Best Promotional Event, Rock & Rails is well-attended, and much loved.

Rock & Rails is sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business Association, with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District and over 30 business sponsors. Concerts run from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday nights across the summer months. Several food trucks are on hand to deliver refreshments each week, and there's plenty of good fun to be had by all ages. Beer, wine and margaritas are available at the Depot building.

The June 2nd performance opened with a local favorite, singer/songwriter Kevin Dooley. Dooley was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in Michigan but has made Colorado his home for many years. At an early age he played drums and later became self-taught on the acoustic guitar.

Dooley has nine CD's of his mostly own original music, and helped start the summer concert series 16 years ago. His music and guitar playing are no secret to Niwotians, and the crowd stomped their feet along with him to demonstrate their approval and enthusiasm .

Tim O'Brien, who is famous from performing with bluegrass group Hot Rize, said of Dooley, "He has successfully married the soul of acoustics with the range of rock."

Dooley performed magic on his guitar, and sang great tunes including a cover originating from Ireland, and another from Bob Dylan. He will return to Niwot at The Wheel House June 12 and has several additional local gigs on the calendar.

Rock & Rails' sound engineer Craig Cutcliff was once again on deck to set up the venue for both Dooley and Funkiphino's 12-piece band from Longmont.

A fantastic warm, clear windless evening made for an excellent musical venue with an eager crowd in attendance. In addition to relaxation and fun, the crowd was focused on service to others after recent events. Satir Demarco, who books the bands for the event, said donations exceeded $1,300 for victims of the Marshall Fire.

By 7 p.m., the dance floor in front of the bandstand was full as many boogied down to the funk of Funkiphino. Bruce Yelen, who was in attendance, described Funkiphino as a "damned good band." The band includes two lead singers, horns, guitars, drums and keyboards. With 12 members total, the explosive funk band infuses horn lines, old-school Hammond organ sounds, and pumping bass with intoxicating vocal harmonies.

You could tell the crowd was really pleased and energized by the music they performed. Like Dooley, Funkiphino has several albums available and is a well-known group from Longmont. Funkiphino will be playing around the area all summer-from Stapleton to Keystone, and even at the Denver Barbecue Festival on June 18th at Empower Stadium.

While you may add some new bands and performers to your summer playlist from this past show, just stay in town and wait for the next Thursday event to bring even more music right to your doorstep. Next week, June 9th, will feature Atomga, with Danny Shafer as the opening act.