Ya Maka My Weekend: Fest will be part of 'double feature'

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By Melissa Coulter | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 11:56 PM CDT | () comments

Changes made

to August festival

By Melissa Coulter

QUAD-CITY TIMES

Showgirls, Parrotheads, Elvis impersonators and reggae bands will invade The District in Rock Island for one August weekend.

Ya Maka My Weekend, Aug. 17-18, will share a double bill this year with Hot August Nights, a Las Vegas-themed event headlined by a Neil Diamond tribute band of the same name, organizers announced Tuesday.

The event has been a District favorite since 1992 and is its best-attended summer festival. This is the first time The District has attempted a “double feature” festival.

Mike Thoms, president of Renaissance Rock Island, said the decision to make the changes was based on input from downtown businesses and festivalgoers.

“We want to meet the needs of people in the community,” he said during a news conference on the Great River Plaza. “It isn’t to build attendance, just to add something different.”

The District will continue its partnership with production company N-Vents to produce the events.

Hot August Nights will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17. N-Vents managing partner Lon Bozarth said the event is named for Neil Diamond’s best-selling album. He expects it to draw fans of all generations.

“There’s a huge Neil Diamond following, not only locally, but across the country,” Bozarth said. “He’s become quite the retro act.”

Jumer’s Casino Rock Island will have a hand in creating the Vegas atmosphere. CEO Bill Renk will emcee the evening’s festivities, which will include showgirls, Rat Pack-style music, hot-and-spicy food and other “hot-themed” activities.

Hot August Nights is geared toward adults, Bozarth said, but Ya Maka My Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 18, will feature activities for children and families.

A children’s make-and-take craft tent and sand volleyball tournaments will be held in the afternoon. The Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Adventures in Paradise, will headline the evening’s entertainment.

Other music acts include Chicago’s The Ark Band and local group Rude Punch. Reggae bands and Caribbean food and merchandise vendors will add to the island atmosphere of Ya Maka My Weekend.

A Web site for the festivals, yamakamyweekend.com, will be launched next week. Festival passes can be purchased online. A two-day pass costs $12.

Want to be Elvis?

The District has issued a call to all Elvis impersonators and wannabes to be part of Ya Maka My Weekend. For more information, call (309) 788-6311.

Contact Melissa Coulter at

(563) 383-2243 or mcoulter@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.