Community Corner
Solo Act Tara Tinsley Set for Festival Fandom
A new acoustic act brings a mix of Jewel and Tom Petty to the Garlic Festival.
Every year, the Gilroy Garlic Festival entertainment committee aims to bring a new music act to the mix. This year, visitors will be treated to the acoustic solo artist, Tara Tinsley.
In 2006 and 2008, Tinsley traveled overseas to Japan to perform at baseball games, on TV and radio shows and in U.S. Navy base shows. Soon, she can add the Gilroy Garlic Festival to her tour list.
“I’m from Tracy, and the Garlic Festival is pretty popular over here," said Tinsley. "I am in the area all the time, and I figured I’d give it a try. I’m really glad they chose me.”
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Since 2003, the 26-year-old has performed at festivals statewide, and this year she launches her first-ever nationwide tour. Tinsley has played at numerous festivals around the Bay Area, including the Kings Festival in Hayward and the Contra Costa County Festival.
“I always enjoy playing at festivals," she said. "It’s light hearted and an awesome environment."
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Her music is something like a combination of Jewel and Tom Petty, and the sound was just what Entertainment Chair Rich Della Maggiore was looking for.
“The gazebo stage has a certain intimacy to it because of how close the crowds are to the performers," Della Maggiore said. "I was interested in that Jewel sound, and she seemed to have it."
Tinsley said she looks forward to performing to a new crowd and hopes the Gilroy Garlic Festival audience will enjoy her music and have a good time listening to it.
When Tinsley is not performing, she is using her music to bring awareness to the environment. In 2009, she started a club entitled, “Musicians for a Better Planet.” It gives musicians and music fans the opportunity to do beach clean-ups and other environmental activities together.
Besides performing at the festival, Tinsley looks forward to trying out some of the festival favorites. Someone told her about the garlic ice cream, which sparked her curiosity.
Tinsley will be at the festival on July 31 with a performance at 10:30 a.m. You can find other dates and information about her at taratinsley.com.
