I always look forward to this time of year. When the leaves come out on the trees and the evenings are warming up, it won’t be long until the outdoor music season starts. My wife and I really enjoy going to the various music in the park programs in the area, as well as sitting on various patios and terraces at restaurants that feature live music. It’s almost like a mini-vacation!

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It’s also the start of the festival season, and there are two nearby events coming up soon. The third annual Spyglass Ridge Winery Blues Festival is on May 17, starting at 11 a.m. This festival brings together six of the best blues outfits in the region, along with two out-of-town units for a full day of great music, along with wine-tasting and a display of muscle cars, all for $13.

Performers include Jonah Gregory, the Burgess-Mitchell-Seal Trio, Nate Myers and the Aces, Bluesmoon, the Ann Kerstetter Band, the Blind Chitlin Kahunas, the Deb Callahan Band from Philadelphia, and back for the second time, blues legend Tom Larsen from Ocean City, Md.

And on June 8, the 19th annual Billtown Blues Festival, featuring six national acts as well as our own Ann Kerstetter Band as the opener, will take place at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville from noon-10 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale at Page After Page, 336 Market St., Lewisburg, for $18, a $5 savings over the price at the gate.

Featured acts at Billtown include Gina Sicilia, Jason Ricci, Alexis P. Suter, the Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Jim Thackery and the Nappy Brown Orchestra with Bob Margolin, Joe Maher and Ann Rabson.

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As for music this week, tonight Greg Burgess and Beverley Conrad will be at Penn’s Tavern, down the river along Route 147 at Fisher’s Ferry, from 6-9 p.m.

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Fans of Texas blues in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughn, take note. The great R.C. Yetter will be at the Peppermint, 700 Market St., Sunbury, Friday night at 9 p.m. Yetter and his band, Riviera Paradise, are out of the Lewistown area, where R.C.’s scorching guitar licks are legendary. He hasn’t been around this area in a while, so check him out.

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Also Friday, Ann Kerstetter will be at Puirseil’s Irish Pub on Sixth Street in Lewisburg with Blaine Renn and Bill Stetz from 7-9 p.m.

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You’ve got many choices Saturday night, starting with GC and Company at the Milton Moose Family Center from 9-midnight. That’s at 139 S. Front St., Milton.

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