The Nalani Effect and Brian Brooks to light up Rock & Rails Aug. 22

Rock & Rail's penultimate summer concert welcomes back Niwot native Nalani DeMarco Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect. Nalani, a bassist and vocalist, is a Niwot High School graduate and has deep roots in the Niwot community.

"Rock & Rails is my home," Nalani said. "I remember when they built the gazebo and feeling that it was an anchor point for a community space. I just stood up on it, with my arms wide open, and wondered what the space would be like with the crowd, vendors, and community coming together. Now, that's my favorite part of being a performer, that exchange between us as a musician and the community."

Hazel Miller, a Colorado Music Hall of Fame member and renowned local singer, has praised Nalani's musical accomplishments. "I have enjoyed, marveled at, and danced to the music of Nalani Clisset for more than a decade," Miller said. "Nalani has the beat of my heart in her bass. She pours out a life force of jazz, funk, and soul in every performance. She has played with my band since she was a teenager. I can't wait to sing with her again."

The Nalani Effect band plays old school funk and R&B, focusing on music that gets the crowd dancing. The band also features Regi "The Teacher" Wooten on guitar and vocals and Adam Wooten on drums and vocals. Regi's guitar style combines chording, slapping, tapping and frenzied strumming that has been compared to Jimi Hendrix. When he's not touring or recording music, Regi teaches music in Nashville, Tennessee. Adam Wooten is Regi's nephew. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Adam Wooten is a two-time NCAA All-American gymnast.

The three members of The Nalani Effect have deep roots playing together, which makes their connections feel more like a family band and keeps them in the moment. "The experience of wild abandon is what I want to cultivate," Nalani explained. "Regi is really good at that. He's a master at guitar playing. When he pulls out these riffs and wild sounds, it's very amplified and exuberant. He's had a lot of experience leading. He knows exactly what the performance needs." This will be The Nalani Effect's second time headlining Rock & Rails.

Brian Brooks & Friends will open the concert with their blend of outlaw country and classic rock at 5 p.m. The Nalani Effect should take the stage at 6:30 p.m. at Whistle Stop Park.

The tip jar donations for this concert will go to the Mwebaza Foundation and Whistle Stop Park improvements.

The Mwebaza Foundation was created by now-retired Niwot Elementary School teacher Dale Peterson to support a partnership program between Niwot Elementary and a school in Uganda. The schools share a common curriculum, and according to the foundation's website, "It guides students to discover who they are, what is important to them, and how to be critical thinkers, leaders, and problem solvers while studying real-world issues." The foundation also supports social enterprise efforts in Uganda, where worker-owned and operated businesses receive support from the school.