Mumbo Gumbo kicks off Brewery Arts Center summer concert series

The Brewery Arts Center kicks off its free summer concert series Saturday with the eclectic music band Mumbo Gumbo.

“It’s a big stew, that’s what Mumbo Gumbo means, of Americana styles,” said Bill Fairfield, founder and manager of the popular Sacramento, Calif., band. “It’s a spicy blend of Gulf Coast styles.”

That includes zydeco, Cajun, swing boogie from Texas, with hefty dashes of soul, country, blues and folk.

The seven-piece band is fronted by singers/songwriters Chris Webster and Tracy Walton, backed by Rick Lotter on drums, bassist Lynn Michael Palmer, Reggy Marks’ on sax, Jon Wood on guitar, and Steve Stizzo on keyboards.

“We’re known for our two great women singers and great rhythm section,” said Fairfield. “It’s been the same since ’97 when I started the band.”

Mumbo Gumbo’s music was featured in the television show “Northern Exposure” and in Charlie Matthau’s 2005 movie “Her Minor Thing,” in which the band appeared on screen.

BAC’s Levitt AMP concerts take place outdoors on Minnesota Street, between the BAC and its Performance Hall, starting at 7 p.m. and ending by 10.

But the BAC hopes people come early to get dinner from food trucks and take part in other activities including a painting wall that each week is going to serve as a blank canvas for concertgoers to fill.

Mumbo Gumbo is looking forward to it, too.

“We love playing in that area, Carson City and Minden area,” said Fairfield. “There’s a good vibe.”

The concert series, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Los Angeles-based Levitt Foundation and a $5,500 grant from Carson City, runs for 10 weeks through Aug. 6.

The BAC is located at 449 W. King St. For more information, call 883-1976 or visit breweryarts.org.