We have a full schedule of fantastic entertainment, truly something for everybody.
The 2023 Artichoke Festival invites bands and entertainers to email booking queries to Entertainment Committee for consideration in this year’s event. Thank you!
Our Main Stage showcases some of our favorite local bands and hot tribute bands, along with an artichoke eating contest, and artichoke canasta (harvest) contest. Always FREE with general admission!
Loaded with his six string gun, Shane Dwight fires away his own mix of blues-rock, country and soul to create a swagger sound. He astounds other players with his prowess and his confidence oozes out showing the crowd he’s boss.
Shane grew up on a ranch in Morgan Hill, CA a few hours from San Jose and Monterey, where the air was fresh, and the sun was hot. Shane began to learn how to play guitar in high school, playing with friends and bands along the way, he started The Shane Dwight Blues Band at 28. His musical roots were FM radio, Album Oriented Rock artists like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. More influences from Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Albert King gave him the nod to take it even further.
His band went on to win the Monterey Blues Festival Battle of the Bands in 2001, and that’s when it began. When Shane stood on the same burn spot where Jim Hendrix once stood at the famed Monterey Blues Festival, he felt the mysterious aura seep into his bones. He has since crisscrossed this country and the world many a time, to bring the people what they want, his music – a blend of rock and blues with a little dash of country.
Shane has performed over 3500 shows over the past 20 years, headlining at some of music’s most significant events; Beale Street Festival, Portland Waterfront, Reno Blues Festival, Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Ottawa Blues Fest; sharing the stage with household names such as Blake Shelton, The Doobie Brothers and B.B. King. He’s backed off the 200 dates a year he once did, but he still brings the rock to the table and the blues to the dance floor.
Headquartered out of Carmel CA, this collection of talented musicians brings collectively nearly 100 years of experience, stage shows, recording, touring. Members include, Jon McClean, Jack Aiello, Lisa Kincaid, Sam Nilsson and Eric Rowe
Out of Monterey County comes the Legendary Chicano All Stars Band, which consists of eight extremely talented, dynamic and energetic pro-musicians.The band’s professional musicianship and stage presence appeals to a wide variety of audiences and guarantees to keep you on the dance floor! Sam Martinez,Founder and Band Director is a seasoned performer well-known as a solid and highly polished vocalist and song writer. All of the band members have years of expertise in the music business both as music entertainers and dedicated musicians.The band’s most noted music style is Latin Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Old School and danceable Reggae.
The Chicano All Stars have established themselves as one of Monterey’s local legends as a favorite dance band and has been quoted to be the topLatin Rock band in the area. The band was voted the Monterey County HeraldReader's Choice "Best Local Band" Award for 2019. They have had the pleasure of performing and sharing the stage with such names as: Los Lobos, Tierra, Malo, Tower of Power, El Chicano, La Sonora Dinamita, Jorge Santana, Brenton Wood, Eddie Money, The Turtles, Ramon Ayala, Los Tucanes, Sista Monica, The Delfonics and The Intruders.
Band Manager: Sam Martinez (831) 235-9589
The John Michael Band is an excellent rockin' dance band who will take you on a musical adventure from one song to another! Lead vocalist John Michael, from Dún Laoghaire Ireland, is an eclectic and proficient vocalist, who is is adept at creating an atmosphere with his audience, resulting in a dedicated following.
Formed in 2010 and playing along the Northern California Coast from Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz to Hollister, Carmel, and Monterey, the John Michael Band is a Classic Rock and dance band, which also plays funk, soul, reggae, blues and 90’s rock. The band features many stellar musicians: Drummers John Brearton, Keith Wieland, Keith Graves (played with Starship, The Tubes and Quicksilver Messenger Service) Bassists David De Silva, Tiran Porter, (Doobie Brothers) Avey Gonzalez, Guitarists, Markus Yamamoto, Dylan Rose (AKA: Duane Stringfellow), D.B Walker and Vinny Johnson.
Our mission, our destiny, is simple: to build a mustache army and create Hardcore Soft Rock the likes of which has not been seen since Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, Ace, Kenny Loggins and The Little River Band ruled the airwaves and created AM Gold. So Join us! Party with us, live with us, work out at the dojo with us, slap on a stash and drink from our bountiful coconuts filled with smooth grooves and tasty hooks. ENJOY THE RIDE!
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