(WSB photo from 2007 Alki Art Fair)
We’re on the brink of another big summer weekend. And this afternoon, we have new details about one of the marquee events – the Alki Art Fair at the beach Saturday and Sunday – courtesy of its director, Giovannina Souers, who shared the full music lineup too! The annual fair raises money for scholarships to students of all ages for art classes offered through the Alki Community Center and Alki Bathhouse. More than 70 artists will be selling their work: “We have a wide mix of artists: pottery, paintings, photography, metal work, fused glass, jewelry, and many crafts like hand made clothing, candles, soap and much more. Many are local West Seattle artists,” says Giovannina, mentioning a few: Mary Hollister, who sells her fused-glass mobiles all over the state, and Ester Chinn, “who took her first pottery lessons at the Alki Bathhouse (and) now owns her own studio and sells every year at the fair, find her in booth #50.” Giovannina adds, “Surrounding the Statue of Liberty will be a group of artists from the Seattle League of Arts and all the way at the end of the fair you will find some of our newer artists this year including Andy Hill a metal worker who makes amazing pieces for indoors or outdoors.” For kids, a special arts/crafts booth and bouncy toy are planned; food vendors will include barbecue, hot dogs, kettle corn, shave ice, cotton candy; and 14 bands will play live music – click ahead for the lineup and a little more Alki Art Fair info:

Here’s the music lineup for both days, with info about the acts:

2010 Alki Art Fair Saturday Music Lineup !

10:00 – 11:00 Christa Kae
11:15 – 12:15 Lonnie Mardis
12:30 – 1:30 Fralex9
1:45 – 2:45 Puppet King
3:00 – 4:00 Stephen Duster
4:15 – 5:15 The Delridge Boys
5:30 – 6:30 Strange Jerome

Christa Kae (Band name to be announced at the show!)
This is the debut of Christa Kae’s new band which supports the music she’s written for her solo project over the past seventeen years. (You may remember her from Dirty Nickel the rock band she fronted for six years.) Christa Kae/vox and guitar, Rey Guajardo/drums, and Austin Rood/bass, are all seasoned players and have many years of experience. They play a mix of styles all kept cozy under the big umbrella of folk rock. christakae@gmail.com

Lonnie Mardis plays jazz and classical music in a rich and entertaining manner. A native North-Westerner, guitarist and composer, he keeps a busy schedule from his home in Seattle. Lonnie has performed at jazz festivals in Westport Connecticut, the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, and the Monterey High School Jazz Festival in California. Lonnie has played at Jazz Alley in Seattle and the Backstage in Ballard. www.lonniemardis.com

Fralex9
A trio with diverse musical interests, Fralex9 has been together since 2008 and has played around Seattle at places like The Rendezvous and Poggie Tavern. We’re distinguished by a bass player with a unique style combined with a tricky songwriter and a rockin’ drummer. band@fralex9.com

Puppet King
Fine purveyors of Americana grooves with a hint of indie rawk roots since 1881. Think Dylan, Wilco, M Ward and you’re there. www.myspace.com/puppetking

Stephen Duster dustersa@sanddust.com

The Delridge Boys
Folk, Blues, Rock and Originals johnson_wayne_d@yahoo.com

Strange Jerome
Strange Jerome combines the right amount of grit and edge with dynamic harmonies and gripping melodies. By blending alternative country, shadowy folk and blues influences, this clever roots rock band has crafted a provocative sound that has been described as Lucinda Williams and the Cowboy Junkies meet the Pretenders.strangej@strangejerome.com

2010 Alki Art Fair Sunday Music Lineup !

10:00 – 11:00 Los Amigos
11:15 – 12:15 Man’s Best Friend
12:30 – 1:30 Geoff Kraus Band
1:45 – 2:45 Susan Harper Conspiracy
3:00 – 4:00 Klyntel (KLY-N-Tell)
4:15 – 5:15 James Apollo
5:30 – 6:30 Hejira

Los Amigos Backyard guitar with trail worn vocals. womoses@yahoo.com

Man’s Best Friend gkband@hotmail.com

Geoff Kraus Band has original bluesy-rock and lyrical guitar style that has prompted comparisons to Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Geoffs songwriting and vocals are distinctly his own and reminiscent of Tom Petty, Neil Young, and the Allman Brothers. Currently Geoff is playing solo, in theduo” Acoustic Mayhem and Blues”, and with “The 88th St. Blues & Jazz Orchestra” gkband@hotmail.com

Susan Harper Conspiracy – Funky, soulful and acoustic driven rock. Susan Harper and her band of co-Conspirators are authentic and compelling, occupying a territory somewhere between Natalie Merchant and Crissy Hynde with a pinch of Joni Mitchell rolled in. With a voice that can, at turns, be brash, edgy or smooth and sweet, Susan imbues her heartfelt songs with a vibrant mix of passion and wit. www.susanharper.com

Klyntel (KLY-N-Tell)
Klyntel is a fusion jazz band based out if Seattle which specializes in soulful high energy grooves. Their album Uninhibited – The Groove collective is available on ITunes, Amazon & CD baby. dlockhart1@comcast.net

James Apollo
An old school troubadour that relishes hard-luck experiences to inspire his western-folk stylings. http://www.jamesapollo.com

Hejira
When a talented American World Music composer meets a brilliant Egyptian Cellist from the Cairo Opera House in Egypt – you get Hejira. Their energetic/playful musical interplay and stunning improvisational solo’s will both entertain and inspire you. Their performances can include Tribal and Belly Dancers. http://www.myspace.com/doublerainbowmusic2

To help the scholarship fund, buy a T-shirt and join in the silent auction that’ll be happening during the fair, 10 am-6 pm both days, along the Alki promenade.