ON THE UPBEAT LAKE CHELAN ARTS FESTIVAL

By Kris Lahd

Wenatchee-based performer, singer/ songwriter and recording artist Elaine Eagle might just be the hardest-working musician to grace our locale.

Pick any night of the week and you’ll likely catch Elaine performing solo or with one of four other bands: End of the Line, Artemidorus (Pink Floyd Tribute), Whiskey Trail and Cajun Moon. If that were not enough, Elaine has also found the time to sneak over the mountains with guitarist Ramiro Espinoza to record a five-song EP with engineer Joe Reineke at Temple of the Trees Studio in Seattle.

Elaine’s brand-new EP release entitled, “End of the Line,” which dropped on all streaming music platforms May 26th, takes listeners on a deep odyssey into Greek mythology and matters of the heart as it weaves its way through a tapestry of life’s many challenges.

You have a very busy musical schedule. Why do you do it?

Realistically, I can’t see myself doing anything else. When I’m playing music, writing or recording music, it’s that feeling of being so complete - that this is what you are meant to be doing. I’ve had other jobs and I’ve done other things, but it always comes back to music. It fulfills everything that I need it to. I want to keep playing music as much as I can. I am lucky to get to do this.

Who last inspired you?

Ramiro (Espinoza) is a very interesting person and I’ve grown so much playing music with him. He has such cool ideas. The chord structures he comes up with and what he brings to the table is so unique. He inspires me constantly.

Who have you last inspired?

I always love when kids are at my shows. On Mothers’ Day I was performing and the kids got up in front and just danced - like interpretive dance - and it’s so fun. They inspire me and I inspire them to dance. They always come up afterwards and give me hugs. It’s really special.

5 Questions

Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin?

Pink Floyd

Whiskey or Wine? “Ugh... Wine”

Performing or Recording? Performing

Stevie Nicks or Taylor Swift?

“Ugh, not fair, sorry Stevie, Taylor Swift”

Blues or Country? Country

Upcoming shows:

June 2023:

June 1: Chateau Faire Le Pont, solo

June 2: Union Hill, solo

June 3: Tastebuds, solo

June 7: Watermill Winery, solo

June 8: Tipsy Canyon with Whisky Trail

June 9: The Lookout, Chelan, solo

June 10: Tildio Winery with Whisky Trail

June 15: Sunshine Ranch, solo

June 16: Vin Du Lac, solo

June 24: SageCliffe, Quincy, with Artemidorus

June 25: Lake Chelan Arts Fest, solo

Later in June, a shady stroll through Riverwalk Park in downtown Chelan will offer you a large selection of handcrafted items and quality artworks by 33 selected artists from around Washington. A summertime staple since 2008 (with hiatus for wildfire and pandemic), the festival is ably organized by Lake Chelan Arts Council president Dan Crandall.

Admission is free, and there will be live music daily from four groups, arts activi- ties for kids, face painting and yummy lunches from local food trucks. You can also bid on your favorite artworks at the LCAC’s Silent Art Auction, with the proceeds to benefit arts scholarships for local students.

Check out the Lake Chelan Arts Festival at artinchelan.com. It’s at Riverwalk Park, 17 East Wapato Avenue on June 24 from 10am to 5pm and July 25 from 10am to 4pm.