Fourth of July bash to feature music of Vent and ’80s rock band
Y
&
amp;T; more concerts scheduled through August
On the outskirts of town at the Pepper Tree Ranch, the Guerra
family is hosting a series of outdoor concerts this summer. The
next concert is scheduled for July 4 and will feature performances
by Y
&
amp;T and Vent.
Fourth of July bash to feature music of Vent and ’80s rock band Y&T; more concerts scheduled through August
On the outskirts of town at the Pepper Tree Ranch, the Guerra family is hosting a series of outdoor concerts this summer. The next concert is scheduled for July 4 and will feature performances by Y&T and Vent.
“We started them last year, but we only did a few,” Al Guerra said. “They were local bands. This year we have it every two weeks.”
The concert venue, which is east of Hollister on John Smith Road, has sweeping views of the San Benito countryside.
“We have almost two acres of lawn in a bowl so everybody has a good seat and there are good acoustics because the band kind of plays into an amphitheater,” Guerra said.
Though the concert series is only in its second year, Guerra envisions it as a destination event in the future.
“We want to get some people to visit [from outside the county]” he said. Our vision is to expand our agritourism. I’m quoting Frank Leal – that’s his word. We have our wineries, an outdoor venue. We want to get people to visit us and then do some business here.”
Guerra mentioned such places as Napa Valley and Paso Robles.
“Someday maybe we can have a place where people can come visit and do wine tasting,” he said. “This is our start to help people find us.”
In fact, Guerra and his family have been working with Leal to produce a wine they will sell at the summer concerts and through their Web site in the future. In 2006, the Guerra family planted Malbec, petite Sirah and Voignier varieties in their vineyard. They had their first harvest in the fall 2008. The Voignier is expected to be available to consumers in the fall, with the petite Sirah available in 2010.
The Voignier will be available for purchase at the summer concerts as is food for those who’d like to make the concert into a dinner show.
“The entertainment has been really good,” Guerra said.
The last concert featured One Night Stand as the opening act with headliners the Kelly McDonald Band, a country band. The Fourth of July concert will feature Y&T, a heavy metal band that rose to fame in the early ’80s. The group is best known for their 1985 hit “Summertime Girls.” Vent, a hard rock band formed in 2004, will also perform at the concert.
Guests are invited to bring their own, low-back lawn chairs (with seats 12″ off the ground maximum), blankets, hats and sunscreen. The evenings can cool down so sweaters or jackets are suggested. No outside drink or food allowed.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Y&T and Vent, July 4, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20, children 9 and under free.
For other concerts, tickets are $10 with children 12 and under free.
The Groove Kings, July 18, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Performers to be announced for August 8 and August 22 concerts.
For more information, visit www.guerracellars.com or call 408-846-9722.
