Swamp Soiree

Billy Stoops and SJD2 Music festivals are where it’s at — many artists at one venue creating moments that can never be repeated. The epitome of “live.”

Such festivals spawned some of the defining moments in music history. The Monterey International Pop Music Festival in 1967 broke out Janis Joplin and dropped jaws with Jimi Hendrix, who played his guitar behind his back and over his head before dousing it in lighter fluid and setting it ablaze. It brought The Who, and Pete Townsend’s guitar, to a new audience.

Two years later, Woodstock went down in history as one of the definitive festivals.

Today, Bumbershoot, Sasquatch and the Sunbanks Rhythm and Blues Festival are annual pilgrimages for music junkies.

Locally, the Darrington Bluegrass and the Winthrop Blues festivals draw crowds, and on Camano Island, two guys are starting their own tradition. And they’re scoring some big acts.

Leanne Trevalyan Nick Vigarino and Don McLain started the Swamp Soiree this year on property behind Tyee Grocery.

Cranking tunes the first Saturday of each month, May through October, the men have partnered with True Tone Audio for the sound and Vigarino “has been putting (the acts) together on a shoestring because he can call in some favors,” McLain said. Vigarino is renowned himself — recently inducted into the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame and recipient of 14 awards, including Best Slide Guitar, 2010 — so when he calls in favors, it’s the real deal.

May and June’s shows featured, among others, Mojo Medicine Show, Eric “Two Scoops” Moore, Reggie Miles and Jack Cook.

Each show features five acts, and aside from Vigarino, the “house band,” not a single act has been repeated. And even Vigarino has remained original each time.

Reggie Miles PHOTOS BY ROY BRAUN “Nick’s been doing this for so long he can do it without repeating,” McLain said.

And here’s the kicker: It only costs $10. At least, this year.

You can’t go anywhere else and see this much music for this price, Vigarino and McLain said, but for now, they’re just trying to get it on the map.

The music is made on a stage near the pond, in a natural amphitheater-type setting, and the only real rule is to have fun and enjoy the day. “Everybody is there for the music, just doing what they like,” Vigarino said. “Everybody is real chill.”

And, everybody is invited. McLain has seen old diehards, infants and all ages in between.

Picnics are welcomed and so are coolers, and the grocery is open, too. For those who like barbecue, McLain said, real barbecue, “We have the best barbecue on the island. We also have the worst. In fact, we have the only barbecue on the island.”

So here’s the rundown, one more time:

Swamp Soiree at Tyee Grocery — the next show is July 3, and includes JD Hobson and David Brewer and the Intimidators.

Gate opens at noon, and an attendant will direct you to parking in a field.

$10 will buy you five acts of musical genius, which starts at 1:30 p.m. and continues until dusk.

Bring food, bring drink, bring friends.

You can’t find this anywhere else.

For more information, visit www.tyeemarket.com or call Don McLain at 360- 387-7501.