Be Here Now: Bands N’ Beans @ Roaring Brook Ranch, 3/4/12

Yeah, it’s finally chilly out there.

Now it’s time to get chili indoors, too. Specifically, indoors at the Roaring Brook Ranch in Lake George from 2-7pm on Sunday afternoon, when the annual Bands n’ Beans shindig serves up hot music and even hotter chili.

More than 30 area restaurants will be serving up their own unique, simmering chili recipes Among the participants this year are newcomers Samantha’s Cafe, the Barnsider Smokehouse BBQ, the Olde Log Inn, Orange Cat Cafe, the Market Place Steakhouse, Cafe on the Park, Pub on 9 and Ranchero’s Steakhouse & Cantina. Each of the 1000 or so expected attendees can vote for their favorite chili.

But chili is only half of the Bands n’ Beans equation. There’s also non-stop music on two stages throughout the five-hour bash. The smaller, more intimate Powder Horn Room will play host to Phil Camp, Chris Ballini, Rick Bolton & the Dwyer Sisters and Tim Wechgelaer & Chris Carey. Meanwhile, Rich Ortiz & Friends, the Stony Creek Band, Dirt Cheap and Groove Therapy promise to keep the dance floor hopping in the big Sky Rider Room.

Tix are $20 with all proceeds going to the Lake George Arts Project and their efforts to present such programs as the Lake George Jazz Weekend, the Summer Concert Series in Shepard Park, the Courthouse Gallery exhibition series and the Peoples Pixel Project.