Dylan Tribute Festival coming to Warwick Valley Winery

WARWICK - The Warwick Valley Winery Distillery and Orchards will hold its 8th annual Bob Dylan Tribute Festival on May 29, 30, and 31. Shows on all three days will be held rain or shine. The music is scheduled to air from 1-5 p.m. daily, but the winery gates will be open from 11 a.m. n 6 p.m. This year, the Memorial Day weekend festival will be bigger and better than ever. The Nields, Sloan Wainwright, The Kennedys and Rod MacDonald will headline the event, performing the songs of Bob Dylan as well as their own music. The winery welcomes back the popular sister duo Nerissa and Katryna Nields. The Nields will perform Dylan tunes as well as their own blend of alt country and classic folk rock on Saturday afternoon. Veterans of the Lilith Fair and Newport Folk Festival, the Nields have seven albums to their credit, following the release in January of "This Town Is Wrong" by Rounder Records. Sloan Wainwright will grace the winery outdoor stage on Sunday afternoon with her trio. Born into a highly acclaimed musical family, (youngest sister of Louden Wainwright and aunt to Rufus,) Sloan's passionate voice and songwriting have helped create a new definition for women in music. The New York Times said, "Her lyrics are not tough stances on a woman's experience n although she speaks forthrightly of the conflicting roles of women n but rather sensitive explorations of childhood and the poetry of life." Rod MacDonald, originally from Connecticut, now resides on the east coast of Florida, will make his winery debut on Monday afternoon. Rod an accomplished veteran singer-songwriter has been the frontman for his Palm Beach County all-Dylan cover band named "Big Brass Bed." One of the moving forces of the Fast Folk musical magazine and other singer/songwriter ventures that were based in NYC during the late 70's and early 80's, MacDonald has put out at least eight records and CDs in the past thirty years. Several of his songs have been covered by Garnet Rogers, Gordon Bok and others. The Kennedys are stars in the touring musician world as well as at the Warwick Valley Winery, now making their third appearance in the past year. Their blend of folk and funk has delighted Warwick area audiences as well as in almost every state of the union. The main acts will also be joined by the following area musicians: Larry Amato, Bobby Barton, Bob & Nanette, Cavern, Kevin Craig, Brian Dunne, Jim Elwell, Dave Gordon, Kyle Hancharick, Dylan imitator Dennis Heller, Ildiko, Dave Isaacs, Larry Kolker, Lemon Isis, McMule, Bob Nicholson, Open Book, Kathleen Pemble, Project Mercury, John Sheehan, Crissy Roberts, Tina Ross & Doc Hirsch, Jack Tannehill, Yankee Rose, and Julie Ziavras & Ken DeAngelis and others, who will highlight a varied list of Dylan music. The event, organized by winery music director Mary Mester, assures that no song will be duplicated on any given day. Admission to the event is $10 Adults, $5 children 6 -13 and free for children 5 and under. A weekend pass is also available for $25/$12 and can be reserved ahead of time. The winery is located at 114 Little York Road in Warwick, N.Y., and is open daily from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Contact the winery at 845-258-4858 or at wvwinery.com