Music Festival Preview Before The Festival - FestivalFamily.com

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages the time has come once again to gather up our festival gear and celebrate this years Jammin’ for the Animals.  From July 30^th to 31^st live music and fun filled family activities will rock the barnyard at Blue Falls Grove in Leesport, PA.  With live music provided by rockin’ jam-oriented bands such as Cabinet, Dakini, Flux Capacitor, and BuzzUniverse, not to mention  plenty to do for kids and adults alike, this multi-arts festival Jammin’ for the Animals is bound to be a family friendly, groovin’ good time.

Located smack dab in the center of the Tri-State Area lays Blue Falls Grove, a beautiful park surrounded by enchanting forests destined to captivate individuals from all walks of life! With awesome campsites located adjacent to a pristine fisherman friendly lake and accommodations such as an Olympic sized swimming pool, volleyball, basketball, hiking, horseshoes, a playground for children, and bathrooms with coin operated showers, Blue Falls Grove is sure to fulfill all of your needs for a wonderful festival family experience.

 Hold onto your hot air balloons, The Big Up is ascending into the festival scene this summer of 2010. From August 5th-7th The Big Up music festival will make its grand debut. Groovers, shakers, friends, & music makers will unite in the firefly filled summer light of this year’s The Big Up festival. This unique gathering of vibe jiving souls makes for an intriguing atmosphere of funky friendly fun. With an electrifying lineup slow simmered in a melting pot of electronica, jam, rock & roll, and funk, the festival debut of The Big Up is sure to be a memorable one.

Up in the mountains resides Lincoln Park, in Laurelton Pennsylvania on a journey we’ll embark, on 45 acres lively and green, fun family festivities a happenin’ scene. With bands such as New Riders of the Purple Sage, Dark Star Orchestra, DSO, and NY Funk Exchange this festival experience is bound to be one of those soul shakin’ get downs, so groovy and fun!

   Following the frazzle fun of Fourth of July fireworks comes the 9th annual Forecastle Festival, spanning the weekend of July 9th-11th. With a talented and diverse lineup composed of influential path paving artists such as Smashing Pumpkins, The Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic, Spoon, DEVO,Bassnectar, She & Him, CAKE, Drive-By Truckers, Cirque Berzerk, Against me!, Manchester Orchestra,and Dar Williams, this years Forecastle Festival provides the perfect atmosphere for musicians, artists, and activists alike to come together,celebrate life’s boomin’ beats, and share a bit of themselves with each other.

2010 promises another mind-blowing Gathering of the Vibes. The announcement of  FURTHUR with Phil Lesh & Bob Weir headlining Friday's fun completes the reunion. The family is at Seaside Park with Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart's Rhythm Devils, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Donna Jean Godcheaux in addition to Bob and Phil. Once again, Terrapin Productions (festival producers) hosts a variety of musical genres always with a mind towards the original intent; celebrating Jerry Garcia's life and music. Late night goes FUNK this year with Big Sam's Funky Nation playing Thursday late-night and Deep Banana Blackout funkin' us up Saturday late-night. 

Strange Creek 8 is right around the corner! For many first and long-time Worms, there are no sweeter words. Your hosts for Strange Creek (and WormFest in September),  Wormtown Trading Co., create an annual three-day home away from home where family joyfully reunites and celebrates together. Held at Camp KeWanee in Greenfield, MA, on May 28, 29 and 30, Strange Creek provides a darn-near idyllic setting.

   Living in South NJ there is usually one guarantee come festival season; drive time to a festival. When our family came across Camp Jam In The Pines it was a welcomed relief to have a festival right in our backyard. If close proximity was not enough, we were even more excited to see the lineup Lori Dean and her crew put together for the community. National acts offered in a grassroots style music festival, now I am excited!

Unless you are a Michigander you probably never heard of “the Dunes”. If you don’t already know, it’s about time you learned about Sleeping Bear Dunes. Tucked away in the serene Leelanau Peninsula, Sleeping Bear Dunes offer some of the most picturesque scenery not only in the Midwest but in the entire country. It was 18 years ago when the figurative ‘light bulb’ finally turned on. A wise Michigander said, “I have an idea . . . let’s have a music festival here!” What a great idea! This summer, the celebration continues with the 18th annual Dunegrass Music Festival in the Dunes.

   Southern hospitality is not dead! SheddFest will be hosting a 2 day event with 19 eclectic bands ranging from the jazzy interpretations of Yonrico Scott, to some good old southern rocking sounds by Hill Country Revue, and everything in between Zach Deputy, Lefty Williams, The Lee Boys, and The Incredible Sandwich will be some of the acts sure to entertain the crowds in beautiful Sylvania, Georgia. It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to travel through the heartland of the Peach state, for this will most definitely be an opportunity to enjoy beautiful weather, camp grounds, people, and of course some jamming music to dance to.

   Steve Kimock is hands down, no foolin’ the real deal. His precision and overall mastery of  his craft is astonishing. His guitar lines contain a startling balance of power and simplicity that have always mesmerized me. Steve's newest incarnation of a touring ensemble, Crazy Engine, includes the young yet accomplished John Morgan Kimock (his son) on drums and the always outstanding & legendary Hammond B3 player Melvin Seals.

  Festival Family is delighted to see Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival win our first annual Festival of the Year poll!  As covered on FestivalFamily.com (in the Terrapin Hill Music Festival 2009 Review), although the weather was uncooperative, Pete and Brenda Cashels' love and dedication for all who  attended was so very impressive.  It never stopped the entire fest until the last band of the last day and then only for a break. They proved themselves to be the finest hosts of 2009!  Farmers' work ethic is legendary for a reason and it is a marvel to behold. 

If you haven't heard the buzz about Nateva Music Festival, you really have been living under a rock.  Still, even rock dwellers have heard about Nateva.  It all happens on July, 2, 3 & 4 for the first time at the Oxford Fairground's in Oxford, Maine. Nateva folks know how to get their first festival noticed: book a stellar lineup. Simple, right? They went all out to bring, arguably, one of the top lineups of the season to New England.

  For years I have been seeing the line-ups and pictures from the FloydFest Music Festival spiking my festival-fun-o-meter every time.  I have talked with several past attendees who lovingly describe the camp grounds, weather and of course the general kindness of the people.  All my many visits to Virginia have been marked with a stunning over all level of friendliness and kindness from the Virginians and as some of my college friends would say of their time there, "It'll always be the home of my heart!" With such dedicated passion for the environs and a beautiful backdrop of nature, Floydfest has a leg up to start.  But like all music festivals, the true heart of the show lies in the line-up and FloydFest is FUNKY!  AT the top of the bill a true king of his world, Levon Helm, is on hand to light the night with his personal brand of homespun magic and wisdom.   

As the days stretch longer and the weather warms, it’s hard for me not to get excited for these gatherings I’ve grown to love. To me, there is something liberating about the festival experience. In today’s fast-paced world, we as a society often lose sight of the big picture…togetherness. Festivals indeed remind us that there is something greater than our combined egos. Whether it be the family atmosphere, transcendent music, or just the need to ‘get away from it all’, there seems to be a magical element that draws us in and leaves us dreaming about the next festival experience. Get ready...the outdoor festival season is right around the corner! Join me and celebrate at Springfest 2010!

 Looking at our calendars, we really were stressing on what Music Festival to open up our tribes 2010 season with. Traveling with 4 kids 6 and under, a wise choice is necessary as we don't do this 20 times a year. Mid sized festival, Some kind of Jam 5, SKOJ, is located in scenic Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania on April 23rd through the 25th and was clearly the best choice give price, lineup and location. We were looking for a combination of good music, a friendly venue and a kind community base for our tribes opening seasons festival. Having missed it last year personally, we made certain we would not make that mistake this year especially after our other family members SKOJ 4 experience last year.

The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park is an amazingly beautiful place of natural splendor. Quite frankly, I wish I was there right now.  Sitting here in frozen  Louisville, Kentucky, I dream of Summers return and the beginning of festival season. I dream of Suwannee!  Situated near Florida's northern border, the park is home to five major festivals a year and to a variety of smaller music shows year round.  With the near perfect weather enabling year round events and picturesque and stunning 800+ acres, Suwannee has something for everyone.

I guess it’s a bit unfair to have waited this long to write the preview of the Bear Creek Music Festival.  Not only was I certain to go from the get-go as I had such an incredible time my first visit, but also because their line-up has been out the longest.  I ran into Paul and Lyle, promoters of Bear Creek on Jamcruise, and they proudly showed me the back ad on the cruise program, a full page promo shot of the Spirit of Suwanee main stage in full swing, the initial line up already in print.  Not bad, especially when you consider Bear Creek is considered the last big festival dance of the year, actually ten months away!

 I find myself feeling animated as I place these words and sentences together that might excite you as much as myself. Being an avid music listener I appreciate the many sides of the scene, and I am elated to write this preview for the Orange Blossom Jamboree. My elation for this festival is stemmed from my emotions towards the meager amount of smaller local festivals in the state. There are not many local festivals that take place here that don’t offer a regional headliner. This first year festival of jam and other select genres that circulate the music scene here will not be one to miss. The festival will be held May 21st- 23rd in Brooksville, Fl at the Sertoma Youth Ranch. This three day festival will deliver 25 bands on 2 stages that will showcase music throughout the day into the early hours of the morning.

Smilefest returns to the scenic wonder of North Carolina, for it’s 10th anniversary.  Though known by different names, it has always held the same spirit of family and love; for togetherness, music and life. A celebration of life and living, a gathering of friends and family to remind us all of what is truly best in life:  to be surrounded by like-minded people, getting lost in moments of musical bliss and feeling the unity and hope that permeates the festival scene.  Smilefest organizers understand this innately and have built a line up and found a home for their annual festival perfect in all ways.

Nestled snugly in the middle of nowhere is a surreal little town called Quincy, CA. Each year over Independence Day weekend, Quincy’s Plumas County Fairgrounds turns into a temporary village celebrating music, art and life. The High Sierra Music Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is one of the longest-running music festivals around and has always remained loyal to its California roots. Showcasing west-coast bands and catering to the slightly elevated consciousness of Northern Cali natives, High Sierra is a unique festival I recommend everyone attend at least once.

Bonnaroo.  That almost says it all.  The biggest craziest party thrown in America, year in and year out, a chance to see and hear things that can happen nowhere else. Bonnaroo has treated me to acts and moments that I could never have managed individually.  The list of acts brought to the farm in the heart of Tennessee is staggering and far too long to list.  It's easier to say if a band or performer has contributed something of great worth to the music scene,  more  likely than not they have played or are going to play Bonnaroo!  Bonnaroo's size can be daunting. 85,000 plus people gathered in one place, creating one gigantic, merry making organism can intimidate some folks.  But I tell you this:  If you give out love at the Roo then it will come back to you.  Some of the kindest acts I have ever seen in our scene were at Bonnaroo. I keep that spirit in me at all times.  If you like music or people or even acre upon acre of crazy visuals, Bonnaroo is the place for you.  There is a part of me that considers that weekend in July as a family reunion of sorts, with crazy uncles, dancing cousins and people I call brother and sister.

    Soon it will once again be time for thousands and thousands of music lovers to ascend the Ozark mountain trails, to the magical Mulberry Mountaintop, home of Wakarusa 2010.  Nestled in the rocky spine of Arkansas, the scenic majesty of the mountain range provides a lush, widescreen beauty to serve as a backdrop for a line up unsurpassed in the festival’s history.  I have been wanting to attend this festival since it’s inception, and doubly so since it’s move to Mulberry.  Mulberry Mountaintop is near perfectly laid out for hosting a music festival, as if ages of erosion had this level surface amidst the mesas in mind as it forged the splendor that will surround you at Wakarusa.  Having had my first taste of the area last year, I have been dying to return, and will be making the drive there in geeked out anticipation at the aural adventure to come.

   Ultra Music Festival, the official closing event of the 25th Anniversary Winter Music Conference in Miami , offers some of the most elite electronic acts on the globe. 16 visually stimulating stages scattered across Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami for two full days of dancing mayhem will have you thinking you stepped into another world. Over 250 artists and DJ’s perform from many electronic sub genres ranging from Drum & Bass, House, Electro, Breakbeats, Indie-Rock, Minimal and Jamtronica. Once a festival held on South Beach, Ultra has grown into an international, award winning festival attracting over 70,000 electronic music fans from around the world. The atmosphere of Ultra is well in effect before the festival even begins. The Winter Music Conference starts the week prior to the festival in clubs and venues throughout the city of Miami. No other city would be more appropriate for this week-long music induced party. Miami is known for its incomparable party atmosphere, where clubs are not packed until the wee hours of the morning,  dancing patrons leaving to hit the beach before late afternoon.

As the sun  descends over the West Virginia mountains the view from Marvin’s Mountaintop is one of the most beautiful to be found at a Mid -Atlantic music festival. Accompanied by the evening fog rolling through the valley, people prepare for the euphoric circus the cover of darkness provides. All Good Festival takes place in Masontown, WVa on July 8, 9, 10 &11 and hosts four days of music featuring 35 bands with no overlapping sets other than those featured on the “Grass-Roots“ stage. 

    The winter is starting to break and for many this means only one thing, time for DelFest 2010.  This epic festival, now in its third year, has become for many a must-do festival to kick off the season.  This Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th through May 30th, marks the date for the third annual DelFest at the Allegheny County Fairgrounds in Cumberland Maryland.  DelFest is hosted by bluegrass legend Del McCoury ,bringing together a legendary lineup guaranteed to please any music lover.  Nestled in the scenic Mountains of Maryland, this family friendly festival has quickly become one of the best bluegrass festivals in the country. Cumberland rests in western Maryland, only two hours from Baltimore MD, Washington DC. & Pittsburgh PA.  Since the festivals beginning in 2008 word quickly spread among music lovers about the work and love that Del McCoury and his team devoted toward making his dream come true.  

May has always been my favorite month.  School lets out, my birthday rolls around and summer is born. And with summer comes Summercamp Music Festival in Chilicothe, IL, hosted by moe., one of the baddest bands in the land. Summercamp will feature three full doses of moe. mayhem, and you’ll still be left wanting more.

   So, you know you want to hit up a festival this summer. Maybe a few and you are having trouble deciding which would be best to let loose and live it up. Let Festival Family shed some light! Practically the season opener, Mountain Jam is located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains at Hunter Mountain Ski Resort. For the past five years Mountain Jam has consistently given fans a spectacular musical event featuring a wide variety of acts. Sponsored by Warren Haynes and WDST Radio in Woodstock, NY, Mountain Jam VI is shaping up to be the best yet! 

 Come April, it's time for the Allman Brothers to host their annual Wanee Music Festival.  Held in the breathtaking  Spirit of Suwannee Music Park, in Live Oak, FL, Wanee features a southern-fried music lineup guaranteed to satisfy.  With your hosts, The Allman Brothers, you get not just one band but their stellar side projects such as Warren Haynes’s Gov't Mule and Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi bringing their jams. Never mind the presence of sometime-member Jimmy Herring and his current band, Widespread Panic! Two nights of Allmans plus two nights of Panic = Blues/Rock heaven!

    Chicago, home to more than just a killer skyline, the Bears and excellent pizza, hosts it's annual Chicago Blues and Bluegrass Festival on December 12th, at the historic Congress theater.   A one day, indoor (it is December!), kid friendly event celebrating the spirit of American musical pioneer's and heartfelt expression.  Long heralded as one of the true homes of the Blues, Chicago has always been a mecca for for musicians from the heartland of our great nation.  From the same seeds that bore the blues comes bluegrass and the music started in the mountains has taken root and grown strong in the "Windy City!"