Country music, oldies rock and roll take center stage at Newton Fest 2018

Newton Fest will feature another great line up of music this year with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a Des Moines oldies rock & roll band, and Big Time Grain Company, a fast rising country band from the Midwest. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will take the DMACC/Baker Group stage at 5 p.m. on June 9, followed by Big Time Grain Company at 8 p.m. This is following Friday night’s Thunder Nites entertainment featuring Sushi Roll.

Big Time Grain Company’s show, fronted by the Bourquin Brothers, Chad and Bret Bourquin, is full of energy. People have a blast because the band is having so much fun when they perform. Big Time Grain Co is one of the fastest rising country bands in the Midwest. This act was the soul artist chosen to perform at the Royal’s World Series Celebration Rally for a 800,000 plus crowd at Union Station. Recently a Big Time Grain Company's song, "Hard to Want" was featured on a nationwide NFL broadcast of a Chiefs/Raider’s game. In addition the group shared the stage with Big & Rich, Restless Heart, Brother’s Osborne, Gary Allan, Dan and Shay, Travis Tritt, Chase Bryant, JoDee Messina, Los Lobos, Lanco and many more as well as headlining many country festivals all over middle America.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a nostalgic trip back to the start of rock and roll, with a strict adherence to the 1950-1969 timeframe. A trip back to when songs were tossed back and forth by artists, and one night could find Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis all on the same stage. An experience of the birth of rock music, with over 50 songs from a time before music started its electronic shift. Their repertoire is ever-growing and assures you’ll be twisting all night long with their modern take that continues to be true to the original sound. Like the king himself said, “Rock and Roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it”.

Newton Fest, which is sponsored by Black Hills Energy and TPI Composites, also will feature local talent on a second concert stage in the DMACC Greenspace from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday before the main shows in the evening. The showcase, hosted by 301 Studios, will feature local bands, musicians and performers. Anyone who would like to showcase their talents for 30 – 45 minutes, can apply for a chance to be part of Newton Fest by visiting www.newtonfest.org.

The 2018 Newton Fest Live Music Line Up:

• Thursday, June 8: 6 p.m. Bill Riley Talent Show

• Friday, June 9: 6 p.m. Thunder Nites featuring Sushi Roll

• Saturday, June 10: noon Local Music Showcase featuring local musicians, 5 p.m. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and 8 p.m. Big Time Grain Company

Continue to visit the Newton Fest website or Get to Know Newton on Facebook for details on this year’s events.

Newton Fest, presented by Black Hills Energy & TPI Composites, is the community event that began in 2015, celebrates what is great about our community. From showcasing Red Pride to admiring Newton’s artistic side, the weekend is planned by a group of local citizens and community organizations to provide family-friendly, affordable fun for everyone.