Yellowman Blazes Tahoe City

he dancehall reggae mastery of world famous Yellowman kept the all-ages North Shore crowd skanking until midnight Saturday in Tahoe City.

You heard right, Tahoe City.

Years ago, the venue would’ve been known as Humpty’s. Now it’s called the Sawthooth Ridge Café and it’s bumping live music once again.

Yellowman was the third show in as many weeks, punctuating an exciting rebirth of live music in Tahoe City. Other acts at this renovated stage include the Salvador Santana Band and Moonalice, featuring GE Smith from Saturday Night Live, all brought in by Renegade Productions.

Since Humpty’s shut it’s doors in the early 2000s, Tahoe City has suffered from a live music dry spell. In the past year, venues all across town have stepped up to bring more live music back into the Tahoe City nightlife scene.

Sol y Lago opened the Luna Lounge featuring DJs on Saturday nights and “Sessions” live acoustic sets on Tuesdays. Jake’s on the Lake has been housing live bands Fridays and Saturdays, and the Sunday Summer Concert Series at Commons Beach has brought in a mix of local and big name acts with a great view.

Sawtooth Ridge, owned and operated by North Shore couple Nancy and Bud Davis, has been looking to expand it’s evening activities since the restaurant began serving an extensive dinner menu this summer.

In the past few months they have started to offer an evening ballroom dancing class and an open mic night. Live bands on the weekends seemed to be a natural progression.

Robbie Polomsky, who owns Renegade Productions, said he jumped at the chance to bring live music back to this old favorite locale and started booking acts for Sawtooth Ridge in late August. The shows have been well-received by locals, grateful for another in-town weekend option and excited to see live music back at their old stomping ground.

HOT TIP
Arrive early for dinner (try home-cooked treats such as meatloaf and chicken with dumplings) and stay until late for the musical stylings of an awesome, old school roots reggae trio. Saturday Sept. 15 at 9 p.m., reggae all-stars the Mighty Diamonds will be playing.

ReggaeWire News Network

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