DIS for upload

DISCOVER! | JUNE 25, 2016
12 | Sounds
At a Glance:
WHAT: 10th annual Lake Affect
concert
WHERE: Little Miller’s Bay, Okoboji,
IA
WHEN: noon Saturday, July 2
COST: Free
ONLINE: Damon Dotson’s 10th annual:
Lake Affect on Facebook
Tornadoes:
The Pork Tornadoes are a
powerful party band that have
played all around the Midwest
at bars, festivals and weddings.
Having played more than
300-plus shows in the last five
years, this band has perfected
their live show into an experience
you won’t find anywhere else.
With more than 15 years of musical
experience per member, the
musical talent is off the charts,
lead by singer Mason Greve who
was one of 100 finalists on NBC’s
The Voice in 2014. Playing an
eclectic mix of songs from Justin
Timberlake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry
and Taylor Swift to Kings of Leon,
AC/DC, The Killers and Gavin Degraw,
they are a versatile band.
From The Pork Tornadoes’ Facebook
page.
ERIN RADKE | STAFF WRITER
Lake Affect celebrates 10 years
Damon Dotson’s concert on the water slated for July 2
For Damon Dotson, what started
out as a simple idea has now
turned into an annual Fourth of
July event.
Lake Affect, an outdoor concert on
the waters of Little Miller’s Bay in West
Lake Okoboji, will be taking place at
noon Saturday, July 2. This will mark
the 10th year of the unique concert.
Dotson, an Okoboji native, has
been playing music for as long as he
can remember. In his adolescence he
formed the Damon Dotson Band and
over the years he gradually added five
members, who make up a six-piece
ensemble. Dotson says he always
wanted to find a way to host a large
musical event in the Okoboji area, but
never really knew how to do it.
“Brian Moore, our saxophone
player, and I threw around the idea
while sitting at Captain’s one night,”
says Dotson. “Eventually, we got word
that Tom Clary had expressed interest
in providing us with a stage and that’s
kind of how it all started.”
Organizing Lake Affect is no simple
task. At least six months are needed
for planning, booking and putting
it all together. Dotson says that each
year he learns new ways to stay prepared
for the following year. The day
after last year’s event he already began
making calls and sending out texts.
“It’s kind of a one-man thing. I am
in charge of all of the booking, of the
sound production, bands, artwork,
koozies, posters, permits, etc. It’s quite
a bit to take on, but I wouldn’t have it
any other way,” says Dotson.
With a decade under Lake Affect’s
belt, this year will certainly be much
different than the first. The first Lake
Affect was held in front of the Gardens.
The bands ran their own sound
equipment and the crowd was very
small. Today, the event is held in Little
Miller’s Bay in West Lake Okoboji,
only a block from where Dotson grew
up. With hundreds of people expected
to attend, whether for the first time or
as part of a tradition each year, Dotson
is overwhelmed with the success
of Lake Affect.
“As the 10th year, it has hit me more
this year just how cool it is that local
area Okoboji businesses step up and
be a part of the event,” says Dotson.
“It’s in Okoboji. By Okoboji. For Okoboji.
I’m very thankful to be a part of
that community of great people.”
The 10th Annual Lake Affect packs
an impressive lineup. The Pork Tornadoes,
a cover band that performed at
Lake Affect’s first year, will return for
the festivities. GB Leoghton also will
join the show.
The fun begins on Saturday, July
2, right at noon in Little Miller’s Bay.
The Pork Tornadoes will play first, followed
by GB Leoghton at 1 p.m. and
Damon Dotson at 2:15 p.m. to round
out the afternoon. The event is free to
the public and local vendors will sell
plenty of delicious food and beverages.
F
Okoboji | Iowa