Steve Kimock, FunkUs, and FOUR More Fests

This is quite a week for music...

Legendary California guitarist Steve Kimock and Orlando jamband FunkUs play the Plaza Theater in Orlando Thursday night, May 24. Tickets are $20 advanced, $22 the day of the show. You can get more info here This should be an absolutely killer show! Kimock has had a long career in psychedelic, jazz, and jambands, including many stints with Grateful Dead-related bands, including Ratdog and The Other Ones.

And as for this coming long holiday weekend...

Florida Folk Festival, White Springs, Florida, May 25-28. The legendary Arlo Guthrie headlines, also John Anderson, Billy Dean, and more. This is a state-run festival, and it $40 for a weekend pass, $20 for a day pass. You can only camp onsite if you are a volunteer, but there are camping places nearby.

LuluPalooza May 26-27, Gulf Shores, Alabama. This fest is run by Jimmy Buffett's sister, Lulu, at her restaurant, LuLu's at Homeport, and it's free! Not a camping festival. Check out this great lineup --  Honey Island Swamp Band, Bonerama, Eric Lindell, The Lee Boys, Dread Clampitt, and more. 

Acoustic Cafe, outside Birmingham, Alabama May 25-26, This is a sweet little under-the-radar fest. It's a listening crowd, and the emphasis is on very fine and inventive string playing. I have seen astonishing performances at the Acoustic Cafe. Some of the greats have played here, includingVassar Clements, Mike Marshall, Edgar Meyer, and Sam Bush. This year's acts include the Carolina Chocolate Drops, flatpicking phenom Larry Keel, The Trishas, Duke Bardwell, and North Florida's excellent newgrass band, Dread Clampitt.

Amberland  May 25-27, Cherokee Farms in Lafayette, Georgia. (between Atlanta and Chatanooga.) This fest is hosted by livetronica band Perpetual Groove, and includes several other bands, including The Heavy Pets, Moon Taxi, and Consider the Source. $75 for the weekend, includes camping.