All-Star Band Returning for Downieville July 5th Street Dance

DOWNIEVILLE — After the great success and stellar reviews of last year’s live music and street dance, former Santana bassist David Margen is bringing up substantially the same crew for this year’s event on July 5th. Margen has played with icons including Santana, Herbie Hancock, Jefferson Starship, and Joe Walsh from the Eagles. He has been visiting Downieville since the 1960s and is a part-time Goodyears Bar resident.

The band, offhandedly named “Sunday Paper,” includes David’s brother (and well-known Bay Area guitarist) Peter Margen, keyboardist Tony Stead, drummer David Perper, singer and percussionist John Marin, and local guitarist Paul Lesniak. Stead has played keyboards for Sly and the Family Stone, Perper has drummed for Pablo Cruise, the Youngbloods, and Kingfish, and Marin has played with Jorge Santana. The group is bringing with them the sounds of Santana, soul, funk, and rock. Last year, they played a 3-hour set with hits including Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band to start the night, September by Earth, Wind & Fire, Oye Como Va by Santana, and the fan-requested Suavecito by Malo.

The dance party starts Saturday, July 5th, at 8 PM, going until 11 PM. Tickets will be available for $10 at the gate and will be sold before the event by Downieville Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD) and EMS personnel. All proceeds go to DVFD. The dance is sponsored by a Sierra County Arts Council grant, and the Shangri-La is graciously providing rooms for the artists. A tri-tip barbecue preceding the dance also benefits the Fire Department, with plates $25 for adults, $15 for seniors, and free for children, starting at 4 PM.