FiestaJAM brings good times, little bit of Willie Nelson to Marble Falls
FROM STAFF REPORTS
MARBLE FALLS — While Willie Nelson isn’t on the lineup for the FiestaJAM on Lake Marble Falls, you could still take home a guitar signed by the Texas troubadour.
Strait Music Co., owned by Robert Strait, donated an acoustic Fender guitar signed by Nelson for a prize giveaway during the three-day musical event. Part of the proceeds from the giveaway and the festival benefit the Marble Falls Independent School District and Harmony School of Creative Arts music departments. The hope is that the festival also will highlight the importance of the two programs.
FiestaJAM, set for Oct. 17-19, came about after local musician and Marble Falls High School alum John Arthur Martinez and nationally renowned music producer and conductor Robert Linder decided the area needed a fall music festival.
And, they thought, what better location than the shores of Lake Marble Falls?
Most of the performances will take place at Lakeside Park, 307 Buena Vista Drive, but the festival actually starts a few blocks off the lake Oct. 17 at a downtown fixture. The Uptown Theatre, 281 Main St., has served as a entertainment beacon for decades — first as a movie theater and now as a multi-purpose venue.
On Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., the theater ushers in FiestaJAM with a VIP reception and performances by Mike Blakely, Alex Harvey and Martinez. Backing them up will be world-class fiddler Kurt Baumer and guitar virtuoso Rex Schnelle.
The festival gets cranked up along Lake Marble Falls on Oct. 18 at noon with a complete lineup of artists. The show includes Martinez and Tejas, Vallejo, the Rex Paul Schnelle rock band and Brady Beal. During the show, you can also enjoy the tastes of nine Hill Country vineyards and four area craft breweries.
It’s a celebration of music accented by great local flavors.
The lakeside show runs until 6 p.m. After that, the music shifts to a variety of Marble Falls venues, including River City Grille, Flatcreek Enoteca, Double Horn Brewing Co., Fornos on Main, the Uptown Theatre, R-Bar & Grill, AJ’s Live, Houston Depot, Tottie’s, Doc’s Fish Camp & Grill, Margarita’s and Mr. B’s Sports Bar.
On Oct. 19, Rex Paul Schnelle and some friends will host a gospel show noon-3 p.m. at Lakeside Park.
Tickets for the festival are $40 for a two-day pass; $10 and $35 for Oct. 18; and $10 for Oct. 19. VIP passes are available for $150, which includes two passes to all events and the Oct. 17 reception.
Children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.
Go to fiestajam.org for more information or tickets. You can also call (800) 514-3849 to purchase tickets.
editor@thepicayune.com