Just have fun at foothills’ first Karfluki Fest

by Don Chaddock,
Executive Editor
Sentinel (Auburn)
April 28, 2006
The word “karfluki” won’t be found in any dictionary, but according to Lief Sorbye, it means fun, energetic, quirky and unique.
With that in mind, he is organizing the first Karkfluki Fest to be held in Auburn on Saturday, May 6, from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Gold Country Fairground.
“I want Karfluki Fest to be all over the map musically,” Sorbye said. “It’s not a Celtic festival. This is different.”
So different, in fact, that his Celtic rock band Tempest will be performing along with the popular 1960s group, It’s a Beautiful Day.
“It’s a Beautiful Day is this year’s showcase band,” Sorbye said. “I used to listen to them when I was a kid. You know, like the song ‘White Bird.’”
The festival also boasts the musical talent of Shana Morrison, Wicked Tinkers and Slim Bawb & Gator Bait.
“Karfluki Fest is basically a Tempest festival featuring guest bands that we like and think will work well with the rest of the event,” he said.
The festival will also feature side show acts such as jugglers, fire dancers and belly dancers, as well as a comedian.
“This is a family event with a lot of entertainment on the ground while there’s entertainment happening on stage,” he said. “It’ll have an old-fashioned 
circus atmosphere combined with a folk and rock concert.”
Shana Morrison is the daughter of Van Morrison, but Sorbye said she doesn’t promote that angle and instead is making her own mark on music.
“She’s very strong,” he said. “She’s going to showcase her singer/songwriter acoustic material as opposed to her band sound. It’ll be very interesting.”
He said he also wanted to highlight a local band. Slim Bawb & Gator Bait, playing “swampgrass” music, fit the bill.
Sorbye came up with the word “karfluki” as a big instrumental piece his band uses to end their sets.
“Basically, it means, ‘to have a good time,’” he said.
Sorbye is planning to make Karfluki Fest an annual Auburn event. His band performs regularly at Constable Jack’s (also the main event sponsor) in Newcastle.
There will be children’s activities along with food, wine and beer for the adults.
Tickets are $25 per person, available at Cherry Records in Auburn or at the gate, with children under 12 admitted free as long as they are accompanied by a 
guardian. The show will go on, rain or shine.
For more information, call Constable Jack’s at 916-663-9385 or visit the website at www.karflukifest.com.