Radiators at Wanee Festival

This is the last year to see the legendary New Orleans band The Radiators in its current form. After 33 years, they are calling it quits in mid-June 2011 (although some members want to keep going, so we'll see some great music in any case.)

The good news is we'll get to see the Rads at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl on Wednesday, April 13 -- the day before the Allman Brothers' annual Wanee Festival.

Also on the bill this year, the Steve Miller Band, who wrote one of festgrrl's fave songs of all time, The Window.

Looks like we're gonna keep on rockin' in 2011

All I Want For Christmas...

Happy Holidays, Faithful Readers! Thanks for all your support and here's a toast for all of us seeing some killer 2011 shows!

A Nice Florida Winter Fest Next Month

We don't stop festing down here just cause it's winter every place else! Check out the Aura Music and Arts Festival, down near Orlando, that takes place Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend (Jan. 14-16)at Crescent J Ranch in St. Cloud, Florida. Tickets are $60 advance, $65 at the gate (cash only at the gate) An RV or trailer pass is $25. Kids under 9 are free, over 9 are $15.

Here is the skinny on this event from their website:

"AURA will present 34 bands on two juxtaposed stages with zero overlap and 20 DJs in the Rage Tent, offering 18 hours of musical bliss each day. Bringing together some of the best touring bands in the underground jamtronica scene and jam community including Papadosio, The Heavy Pets, The Malah and Zoogma, festivalgoers will be treated to a variety of musical styles from rock, funk and jazz to roots reggae, jamtronica and deep house.

In addition to three days of epic musical performances, AURA presents numerous interactive attractions and activities including song writing, drum and yoga workshops; art installations produced LIVE to the beats and rhythms of your favorite bands; hooping and fire poi; food and vending areas; and onsite camping with a peaceful, intimate vibe.

AURA’s new site, Forever Florida, is a 4,700 acre wildlife conservation area with an average January daily temperature of 70 degrees. This pristine site boasts nine distinct Florida ecosystems and an endless array of flora and fauna including alligators, black bears and 200 species of birds. You can fly through the treetops on the Zipline Safari, enjoy a Wilderness Horseback Ride or just kick back and relax on a guided Coach Safari. Festival attendees can visit Florida Eco-Safaris for more information and mention promo code “AURA” to receive discounts."

The Punch Brothers coming to Fla This Spring

One of the most kick-ass, innovative bluegrass acts in the country right now, The Punch Brothers, are heading to Florida in the spring. They will be doing three Florida shows -- March 31 at Orlando's Plaza Theater, April 1 at Jacksonville's Florida Theater, and April 3 at Pensacola's Vinyl Music Hall. A ticket to any of these shows would make a lovely gift this holiday season! Their 2010 release, Antifogmatic would also be a nice present. These guys are ridiculously talented!!!

Springfest Tickets Make Great Gifts!

Oh Yeah, this one's gonna be good. Suwannee Springfest March 24-27 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl. Check out this fantastic lineup:

The Avett Brothers, David Grisman Sextet, Jesse McReynolds, Donna The Buffalo, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Travelin' McCourys with The Lee Boys, Jim Lauderdale, Mosier Brothers, Acoustic Syndicate, Danny Barnes, Scythian, Trampled By Turtles, Steep Canyon Rangers, Joe Craven, Pangea with Michael Kang, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, The Motet, Dread Clampitt, Rowan Cunningham, Tornado Rider, Ralph Roddenbery, Greensky Bluegrass, Galen Kipar Project, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Larkin Poe, Two Foot Level, Sloppy Joe, New 76ers, Saltwater Grass, Amy Hendrickson & the Prime Directive, Grandpa's Cough Medicine, The Whetherman.

 A recent study found that people are happier when they spend money on EXPERIENCES rather than THINGS. So go ahead and get happy!

Early bird tickets are $125 through Jan. 31. Give one to yourself or to someone you love.

30A Songwriters Festival Coming Up

The gorgeous beaches along Walton County's 30A Highway (between Fort Walton Beach and Panama City, FL) will be home to the second annual 30A Songwriters Festival on Martin Luther King Day weekend. (Jan 14-16) festgrrl attended last year and you can see my posts here and here and here and here.

These are intimate, heartfelt shows and I came home excited by lots of new musical discoveries. I love Dar Williams, who is playing this year, and I really dug The Smoking Flowers last year.

This is not a camping festival, and you have to drive between all these different venues spread out along 30A. Tickets that get you in to all the shows -- over 100 artists over three days, plus a kickoff party on Friday night -- are $85.

You can camp ($24-$30 per night with water and electric) or rent luxuriously roomy modern cabins ($110 per night) at nearby Grayton Beach State Park or (a little further but also beautiful) Topsail Hill State Park ($100 a night for cabins, camping $24-$42 a night.) There are also fantastic but pricey houses to rent all over Seaside and surrounding resorts. 

Those in-the-know know that Walton County is home to festgrrl fave Dread Clampitt. Sadly, Dread Clampitt isn't playing this year at this festival. Boo hoo.

The organizers tell me they plan to  have a text messaging service set up to let folks know when a venue gets filled up. Last year, you had the unfortunate occurrence of driving somewhere and not being able to get in. But I saw some great shows that I wouldn't have seen when I went down the road to find a show that wasn't as filled up.

I'd reccommend this interesting festival if you can line up somewhere to stay. It sold out in a heartbeat last year, but they are offering more tickets and more venues this year.