It's ON this weekend, people!

If you are reading this, get off the computer and get on the road!


The New Orleans Jazzfest, the big daddy of them all, kicks off today.

The Gamble Rogers Festival happens in beautiful  downtown St. Augustine.

The free Festival de Internationale happens in Lafayette, Lousiana, with Keb Mo, Balkan Beatbox, March Forth and more.

String Break happens outside Brooksville, Fl. Wonderful site, nice people, newgrass, Americana,  and folk music.

And if you can't get on the road this weekend, check this link for festgrrl's rundown of more spring musical goodness in the Southeast.

And remember....

Or at least good tunes and good folks...

For Teachers!

Who in the world would ever think anyone (besides a crabby student or two) would demonize teachers as a general group? That's what's happening, incredibly, in politics these days. 

festgrrl is not a teacher, but she appreciates her friends who are, who spend hours and hours trying to get kids to open their minds and get ahead in the world.  What is more important than teaching youngsters? Not much.

So, in this vein, Tallahassee teacher, songwriter, musician (Harvest Gypsies, La Bamba), and hell of a nice guy, Mike Rychlik, is holding an "Empower Educators" rally at the Moon. It happens on
Tuesday, May 3 -- National Teacher Appreciation Day.

Scheduled performers include The New 76ers, Bad Kite, Avis Berry and Scott Campbell, Susan and Snorri Solburg, the SAIL Bluegrass Ensemble, Cicada Ladies, Silver Daggers, and Del Suggs.

Doors open at 6:30. The "Empower Educators" movement will begin at 7:15.


Mike says:  "Our initial objective is to build a coalition to raise public awareness about education legislation. At the rally we will have speakers, musicians, and video clips to inspire folks to join us, as we begin our mission to change the discordant discourse about "failing schools, failing teachers, and failing students."

To empower educators, we must get folks jazzed about what teachers have always valued: the importance of the individual. Each student is different. They learn differently.They think differently. They express themselves in a unique manner. As a nation, we need to celebrate this notion by accentuating and encouraging the individuality of our young people.

Scheduled speakers: Jackie Pons-Superintendent of Leon County Schools, Dwight Bullard-House of Representatives/Miami, Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda-House of Representatives/Leon County, Cliff Thaell-Former Leon County Commissioner, Kristin Dozier---Leon County Commissioner, Rosanne Wood-former SAIL High Principal, Andy Ford--President of FEA, and Debo Powers-Principal of School for Arts & Sciences."

You can connect with others about this at the Facebook page

Funky Pimps of Joytime Hit Tallahassee

The Pimps of Joytime are getting lots of buzz these days and for good reason. They bring the funk! And salsa, and afrobeat, and all things booty-shaking.This Brooklyn-based funkatonkin band hits The Engine Room Wednesday night. Doors open at 9. Stone Street opens. Cover is $10.

Glide magazine says: "Be prepared to dance your asses off, because these guys are the real deal. Their songs are infectious, and they will have you humming along long after the show ends."

Here's a little groovy Pimps for ya:

Bad Day For Bunnies

Some Nice Wanee Videos

The Allman Brothers do Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic:"



Tedeschi-Trucks Band plays Stevie Wonder's "Uptight:"



Steve Miller plays "The Joker:"



Keller Williams plays "High Time:"



Tedeschi-Trucks Band does "Midninght in Harlem:"

Furthur Tickets Tomorrow!

Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. tomorrow for the summer  furthur show at the wonderful St. Augustine Ampitheater July 30 and in Atlanta at Alpharetta's Verizon Wireless Ampitheater on July 31. Atlanta show tickets are on sale now.

Those are the only true southern stops on the tour, which starts June 3 in Callifornia and winds up with the Atlanta show. So get yer keyboard fingers ready and click your way to the show!

A Couple More Fests Coming Up!

A few folks contacted me about Monday's post -- my giant rundown of fests coming up in April and May -- and pointed out a couple I missed. Thanks guys, the music fun just keeps multiplying!

Here are the ones festgrrl readers pointed out to me:

The DoDajam takes place this weekend -- April 20-24 -- at Etowah River Campground, in Dahlonega, Georgia, about an hour north of Atlanta. This is a camping festival, in its first year. They have 50 acts listed on their website, including New Riders of the Purple Sage, Yonrico Scott Band, the Lee Boys, and more. They will have four stages, and the river is available for swimming.

Tickets are $20 a day. Print out this coupon to get the $20 per day price. Kids under 11 are free, ages 12 - 15 are $25.

They also have various a la carte parking and camping fees, listed below:

Gate Rate + Campground Fee of $10

Parking $5 per auto and per utility trailer

Car Camp Parking inside Venue $15.

RV/Trailer Pass - $100 plus optional $150 for water & power hook-up payable to the venue.

Jambando happens this weekend in at the Plaza Theater in Orlando with Railroad Earth headlining. This is not a camping fest  -- it is a one-day, all-ages, four-stage concert and light show with a bar and vendors. Tickets are $12.

Sunfest  happens in downtown West Palm Beach April 27-May 1. This is not a camping fest, and it is a  giant one -- some 27,000 people attended last year. Tickets are $60 for a 5-day pass (kids under 13 are $20), plus there are single-day and other options. Performers include Jason Mraz, The Avett Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gregg Allman, Cee Lo Green, Jeff Beck, Styx, MGMT, Bobby Lee Rodgers, and more.

Fest Season in Full Spring Swing

Jonesin' for jams after returning from the glorious Wanee Festival at Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park last weekend? I hear ya!

You can keep the magic going without going too very far these next few months while the southern weather's still tolerable. Here, then, is a little update on some festies around the corner...

The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival happens in St. Augustine April 29-May 1. Folk singers Richard Thompson, Sam Pacetti, Pierce Pettis, and bluesman Bill Wharton "The Sauce Boss" headline. Tickets are $66.50 advance. This is not a camping festival, and shows take place at a variety of venues in downtown St. Augustine. You will have to find accommodations in St. Augustine or camp across the bridge at the wonderful Anastasia State Park or in one of the private campgrounds.

The String Break music festival happens April 29-May 1 at the Sertoma Youth Ranch in Dade City, Fla. (About a half-hour north of Tampa, near Brooksville.)  This little camping fest features Roots Rock, Alt Country, Newgrass & Bluegrass. Performers include Paul Thorn (Miss.), The Greencards (Nashville), The Chapmans , Rockin Acoustic Circus(AZ), Bearfoot (Alaska). This event has a very organized youth program and is a family friendly event. Tickets are $85 advance, $95 at the gate. Tickets for kids (up to 17!) are $20. They have great vendors, and the venue is small and intimate. You can buy electric camping upgrades.


The Purple Hatter's Ball happens at Spirit of the Suwanee May 13-15. Tickets are $45 advance, and $60 at the gate. This is a camping festival with vendors. The park is offering a deal for a golf cart and a cabin that can sleep 4 people for $400.

The Hangout Festival happens in Orange Beach, Alabama (near Pensacola) May 22-24 with a stellar lineup including Paul Simon, The Flaming Lips, The Black Keys, Widespread  Panic, and more. No camping on site, you have to book accommodations at Orange Beach. A 3-day pass is $174 advance. There are all sorts of extra ticket options, including shuttles, late-night shows, and lodging deals.

The jammy  Orange Blossom Jamboree happens at the wonderful Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville, Fla. on May 21-23. Tickets are just $45, and that includes primitive camping. An electric site is an extra $40 but there's no limit on how many folks you can have on your site, as long as you can fit 'em all.

festgrrl fave the Acoustic Cafe happens Memorial Day weekend north of Birmingham, Alabama May 27-28. Check out one of my previous posts on this gem of a fest from last year. This is a bit of a drive for us Floridians, but you will not be disappointed if you dig string music and mind-bending interpretations of bluegrass. Marcia Ball joins the pickers this year, along with Dread Clampitt and lots of others. Tickets are $50 advance, $60 at the gate. This fest is family friendly camping festival and very intimate. Not a lot of vendors, so bring a stocked cooler.


The state-run Florida Folk Festival happens  May 27-May 29 at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park along the Suwannee River in White Springs, Fl. No camping here, unless you are an official volunteer who has signed up beforehand. A weekend pass is $40 and kids (up to age 16!) cost just $4.

The kinda-monthly Farm To Family Full Moon Festival  takes place June 10-12 outside Gainesville near  beautiful Ginnie Springs. The price is right -- $20 advance, $25 at the gate. Family friendly, small, with a single stage and super kind folks.

And, of course, there's the big daddy fest of them of 'em all, The  New Orleans Jazz  and Heritage Festival, April 29-May 8, with Everyone In The World playing. This is not a camping festival. Advance tickets are $45 a weekend, $60 at the gate. Kids under 10 are $5. No lineup (or food choices) anywhere compares, but be prepared for heat and big, big crowds.

Wa-wa-Wanee!

This week it's all about the Wanee Festival, the Allman-Brothers-hosted all-star jam extravaganza that brings a big crowd to Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl.

This year's lineup, as in past years, is epic. You can get your online ticket discount through tomorrow. It's $221.50 (including all the fees) online for a weekend ticket, which gets you shows Wednesday through Saturday and free primitive camping. On Wednesday, it's gate prices only -- and that will set you back $265. (Note: The Early Bird tix were $165!) Still, considering the number of shows and awesome musical raging that will doubtless occur, it will be money well spent.

Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk is going to do a James Brown set Wednesday night. And that's AFTER JGB (Jerry Garcia tribute band) AND after the smokin' New Orleans' band, The Radiators. Lord have Mercy! That's just Day One.

Here is the crazy good lineup:

The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Robert Plant & Band of Joy, Steve Miller Band, Warren Haynes Band, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Ween, Stephen Marley, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Mike Gordon, Hot Tuna, 7 Walkers Feat. Bill Kreutzmann, Galactic, Taj Mahal, North Mississippi Allstars, Keller Williams, John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours, The Radiators, Wanda Jackson, Rusted Root, Oteil Burbidge and The Lee Boys, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Gigantic, Melvin Seals & JGB, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, New Deal, Lotus, Tea Leaf Green, DJ Logic, Toubab Krewe, Devon Allman’s Honeytribe, Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio, Soul Rebel’s Brass Band, Guitar Shorty, Dangermuffin, Honey Island Swamp Band, Kevin Hammond, Death on Two Wheels, The Yeti Trio, Jacob Jeffries Band and Griffin Anthony

Jazz and Blues Festival This Weekend in Tallahassee

I posted news of this weekend's  Earth Day Jam yesterday and some folks reminded me that there is yet another music festie in Tallahassee this weekend (gotta love spring!)

It's the Tallahassee Museum's Jazz & Blues Festival. It happens Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 pm. Admission is the same as if you were just going to the museum --   $9 for adults and $6 for younguns aged 4 to 15. If you go Sunday between 11 am and 12 pm, you get in for half price. There will be food, beer and wine for sale.

This is the 20th year for the festival, which  takes place on the beautiful grounds of the outdoor museum, filled with wildlife. The stage is under a nice canopy of trees with a playground close by. It is a wonderful event that features local bands, and a terrific place to take kids.

Here's a quick look at the schedule:


Saturday, April 9

11 am: Thursday Night Music Club (jazz/swing ensemble)

Noon:  Royal Garden Dixieland Band (dixieland)

1 pm:  Quanta (piano based jazz)

2 pm:  Brett Wellman (traditional blues)

3 pm:  Zach Bartholomew Trio (classic and contemporary)

4 pm:  Tallahassee Swing (big band/swing)

Sunday, April 10

Noon:  Swingin' Harpoon Blues Band (Detroit blues rock)

1 pm:  Roadhouse (rock rhythm and blues)

2 pm:  Bogazedi (contemporary blues)

3 pm:  ACME Rhythm & Blues (horn driven blues)

4 pm:  Riverbreeze (fusion)

You can even give blood while you tap your toes-- The Southeastern Community Blood Center will hold its blood drive at the festival on Sunday, April 10, from noon-4 pm. All who donate blood on the bloodmobile, located onsite at the Museum, will receive a free Jazz and Blues tee shirt. Each donation, they say,  saves up to three lives. For more information visit www.scbcinfo.org.

The Earth Day Jam Happens This Weekend in Tally

Now this is going to be a good time for a good cause.

The Earth Day Jam hits the bucolic Bradfordville Blues Club on Saturday, April 9 with proceeds benefitting the Magnolia School.

Tickets are $30.00 at the gate, $20 advance. Kids under 12 are free.


You can go for the day or camp primitive overnight. Don't forget to bring a chair, and they don't want any coolers or pets there, so leave those at home. Libations and food will be sold on site, and there will be lots of environmental groups represented, as well as a solar stage, and free drinking water with biodegradable cups. The gate opens at noon.

Bluegrass pickers The Mosier Brothers headline. Other acts include the wonderful world-beat Gainesville band, 3rd Stone, The Sarah Mac Band, The Swingin Harpoon Blues Band, The Popheads, Trial By Stone, Stranger Still, The Silver Daggers, Eclectic Acoustic, Ital Stew, Bedhead Betty, Sharla June & The Mayhaws, The Wailin’ Wolves, TZ Jonz & The Ontological Elephants, The Electric Government Cheese Band, The Tallahassee Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble, with special after hours performances led by Two Foot Acoustic and renowned Tallahassee bluesman Big Daddy Randall Webster with Red Hot Java. You can check out the schedule here.


Here's what the promoter has to say:

The four Earth Day Jam festival stages are named for the classical elements of the old world: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Bring your camp chair or blanket and enjoy music on three outdoor stages, or slip into the blues roadhouse for a rousing indoor set. The EARTH STAGE will be positioned in an open, gently sloping field on the Blues Club grounds, creating a grassy natural outdoor amphitheater.  The Earth Stage is sponsored by The City of Tallahassee. The AIR STAGE will be positioned in another naturally sloping area under the ancient live oak trees that tower over the grounds.  The Air Stage is sponsored by Leon County "Growing Green". The WATER STAGE will be the famous "corner stage" inside the legendary Bradfordville Blues Club, "the badest little blues roadhouse south of Chicago and east of New Orleans".  The Water Stage is sponsored by The Bradfordville Blues Club. The FIRE STAGE is a pre-existing, permanent stage located on the grounds of the Bradfordville Blues Club beside their popular bonfire pit. The informal, "organic" nature of this stage promises to be one of the more intriguing aspects of the show, as several musicians from the day’s festivities (and other surprise guests) perform in an environment of spontaneous creativity and improvisation.  The Fire Stage is sponsored by J.B. Ritter Sound and Stagecraft.

Most outdoor music festivals sell bottled water, at inflated prices, and the empty bottles pile up! To eliminate the need for plastic bottles which clog our landfills and cause problems down the waste stream, ice cold water will be served FOR FREE at the Earth Day Jam. Buy your biodegradable cup for just one dollar and reuse it throughout the festival. The Earth Day Jam committee is also proud to announce the use of a SOLAR generator this year to power the outdoor stages, backed up by propane - which burns cleaner than diesel or gasoline, reducing the event’s carbon emissions. CELL PHONE AND PRINTER CARTRIDGE RECYCLING ON SITE! Bring your old cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players and toner cartridges to The Jam. Recycling bins will be available to keep your obsolete device out of our landfills and out of the Pacific Gyre.

furthur rocks Atlanta

The Deadhead faithful converged on the unbelievably ornate Fox Theater on Atlanta last night (stars on the ceiling! Egyptian carvings in the bathroom!Fancy loom-woven seat cushions!) for a furthur show that a few folks I talked to said was the best of the Hampton-Charleston-Atlanta run.

I really can find few words for this show, other than you had to be there.... down on the floor, no one sat down and the bamd rolled out one gem after another, impeccably played, with a sublime space jam and Dark Star into Pink Floyd's Time smack in the middle.

The energy in that place was amazing, that's all I gotta say.

Here is the setlist and you check out the audio here.

I: Hell in a Bucket, Cold Rain and Snow, West L.A. Fadeaway, To Lay Me Down, Peggy-O, Ramble On Rose, Samson and Delilah, Deal


II: Iko Iko, Last Time, Wharf Rat > Born Cross-Eyed > Dark Star > Time > Breathe Reprise > Dear Prudence > The Eleven, Lady with a Fan > Terrapin > At a Siding > Terrapin Flyer

E: Brokedown Palace

Only ''To Lay Me Down''; Only ''Last Time''

furthur heads to Florida with shows in Orlando and Boca Raton next!

Punch Brothers Deliver One in Jacksonville

The Punch Brothers delivered a stunning performance last night at the historic  Florida Theater in Jacksonville. It was the avant-garde string band’s first visit to Jacksonville, and their impeccably inventive show drove fans to their feet for at least three ovations.


These classically trained players have serious chops as well as a playful sensibility. With perfect dynamics and an understated performance style, the upright bass, guitar, fiddle, and banjo surrounded Chris Thile, the mandolin madman master in the middle (formerly of Nickel Creek.)

Their two-hour show took fans on a sonic adventure with forays into classical, jazz, power pop, bluegrass, and even a little punk. The Punch Brothers’ quirky, original tunes showcase Thile’s clear, unusual vocals and each player’s virtuoso solos. Their Beatle-esque harmonies soar over complex picking and lightning-fast tempo changes. The effect keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire performance.

The crowd jumped to its feet after the band played a quarter of Thile’s sublime long-form composition, “The Blind Leaving the Blind,” from the band’s record Punch. They played a few innovative covers including "Heart in a Cage"  by The Strokes and The Band's classic, "Ophelia."

At the encore, Thile came out alone and performed a thrilling acoustic solo performance of Bach on the mandolin, saying he simply had to try acoustic in such a grand old theater. An ovation followed.

They continued the encore with the complex pop ballad “Alex,” from the outstanding Antifogmatic album (The New York Times accurately calls it "determinedly radical,") and ended the night with the crowd on its feet again dancing to rousing traditional bluegrass.

The band came out to the lobby after the show to meet and greet fans, which was very sweet. The Punch Brothers hit Savannah tonight and Pensacola on Sunday. If you're nearby, don't miss them.

Furthur Hits the South!

Furthur comes to our neck of the woods next week, with shows in Atlanta, Orlando, and Boca Raton. I know there are still tickets available online for the Orlando show at the UCF Arena.

The show they put on last year in Orlando (at the Hard Rock Live in Epcot, of all places) was one to remember. It wasn't some oldies Dead show. This was a chance for Grateful Dead  players still at the top of their game to strut their stuff with some fine younger additions and take us along for the long strange trip. Phil Lesh anbsolutely KILLED it with his hellaciously jazzy-jammy bass lines.

Some people I know make fun of Deadheads for being grandparents and great grandparents by now. Well screw that noise. How beautiful to see all those ages mixed together at the show, grooving together to some very tasty tunes. To build a community in the 1960s and have it stil vibrant in the 2000s, well, that's a prodigious feat, and one to celebrate.

festgrrl will be celebrating at the Furthur show (with floor seats!) Sunday night at Atlanta's Fox Theater, oh yeah!