A Taste of Colorado ready to swing

Cherry Poppin' Daddies, others set to play

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Grand Funk Railroad ("Locomotion"), Cherry Poppin' Daddies ("Zoot Suit Riot") and Foghat ("Slow Ride") will lead a slate of local and national acts set to perform at the 26th Annual Taste of Colorado.

Longtime hitmakers GFR will appear Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Cherry Poppin Daddies will bring the swing Sept. 5 at 1 p.m., while Foghat is set to close out the event Spet. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Other big names on the bill include the Robert Cray Band (Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.), Poco (Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.), the Spinners (Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m.) and Love and Theft (Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.).

Numerous other acts will round out the rest of the weekend. On Sept. 4, Denver favorite Jessica Sonner, who is influenced by pop, country, and blues, will kick off the Festival at 11:30 a.m. The Julia Bryan Band performs at 3 p.m., delivering a blend of intimate acoustic and fiery pop/rock music.Johnny Rodriguez y los Diamantes will keep the tradition of Spanish music alive at 6:45 p.m. with New Mex Tex, a mix of Spanish, New Mexican, and Tejano sounds.

Sept. 5 starts off right with The Catfish Kray Blues Band taking the stage at 10:30 a.m. Rob Drabkin, a John Mayer-esque singer-songwriter will entertain Festivalgoers at 3 p.m. Classically-trained vocalist Ayo Awosika performs at 6:45 p.m., singing a range of soul/folk melodies influenced by jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

Opening on Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m., Megan Burtt & The Cure to Love mix elements of folk, blues and rock. Chris Daniels & The Kings, a seven-piece horn band that entertains crowds with a mix of R&B, funk and jump blues, hit the stage at 1:30 p.m. Chilli Willi, playing an eclectic mix of original tunes and dance hits, takes the stage at 4:30 p.m. The Mary Louise Lee Band performs hit sounds from the '60s to today, including jazz, R&B, and pop, at 6:30 p.m.

Patrick Emerine delivers a lively and rousing rendition of contemporary and classic rock favorites on Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m., Lynn Skinner, a dynamic jazz/pop vocalist, sings her popular Joni Mitchell tribute at 12:30 p.m. Jon Romero y Amanecer perform at 3:30 p.m.; the Latin jazz/rock band has opened for Tito Puente. Closing out the rock portion of the Festival at 5:30 p.m. is the all-vocal beat-boxing rock band Face.

In addition to the KBCO World Class Rock Stage, the main stage and three other stages located throughout the festival will serve up a continuous menu of entertainment, featuring country, jazz, blues, and ethnic music and dance groups.