FiestaJam to offer beat

by Alexandria Randolph

The first Marble Falls FiestaJAM will debut this Friday through Sunday, Oct. 17-19, offering a music and wine festival on Lake Marble Falls and in several other local venues.

The three-day festival will feature activities designed to showcase the blossoming music and wine scene in the Marble Falls/Burnet County area of the Texas Hill Country, while supporting Marble Falls Independent School District and the Harmony School of Creative Arts music education programs.

The festival kicks off with a Friday-night Patrons of the Arts VIP reception at Uptown on Main. Scheduled to perform are Mike Blakely, Alex Harvey, Joel Guzman and John Arthur Martinez (who just happens to be the FiestaJAM creator, along with renowned conductor/producter Robert Linder.)

The main event is an afternoon concert and wine and beer tasting on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Lakeside Park. Featured on the festival grounds will be nine local vintners and two craft brewers pouring samples of their wares. And, scheduled to perform live are: Martinez & Tejas, Vallejo, Los Aztex (featuring Guzman and Sarah Fox) and Brady Beal.

Saturday evening, the music moves into local restaurants and clubs.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, native son Rex Paul Schnelle will host a gospel show.

Local musician and award-winning singer-songwriter Martinez and conductor/producer Linder created the event to help local music program students.