Florida State A Capella Singers Crush "Royals"

Wow, is all festgrrl has to say about these chicas, the Acabelles,  from Florida State University.

Check out their version of  "Royals," New Zealand performing artist Lorde's song which won Grammies this week for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance.

Deadheads Report for Duty: Dark Star Orchestra Touring South

Dark Star Orchestra, the excellent Grateful Dead tribute band, is coming south this winter.

If you like the Dead and you've never been to a Dark Star show, festgrrl highly recommends it! Sometimes, Dark Star plays a whole Dead concert setlist from a day in Grateful Dead history. Sometimes they hand-pick Dead songs to make their own setlist. But they don't play the same setlist twice, so the show is always a nice surprise.

Here are the dates:

Feb 12 - Cannery, Nashville, TN
Feb. 14 - Fillmore, Charlotte, N.C.
Feb. 15- Orange Peel, Asheville, N.C.
Feb. 16 - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Feb. 18- Iron City, Birmingham. Ala.
Feb. 20- Music Farm, Charleston, S.C.
Feb. 21- Plaza Live, Orlando, Fl
Feb. 22 - Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, Fl
Feb. 23 - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Jacksonville, Fl
Feb. 25 - Revolution Live Outdoors, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

Then the band heads to Jamaica for Jam in the Sand -- a luxurious set of shows in Caribbean paradise.

Dark Star Orchestra

The Festgrrl Skinny On Spring Fests

New Year's resolution: Go. See. More. Live. Music. 'Cause its happening people, happening all around us. Gotta jump on that train before it goes past.

Here's a little festgrrl roundup for some selected fests in lovely Florida for your planning pleasure.  Because you know you should go see music instead of doing chores all weekend.

Aura Music Festival , Feb. 14-16. This is the second year for this untz-electronica themed dance-a-thon at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. Aura is all about the dancing, and the fest has some good funky bands like Lotus, Papadosio, Conspirator,  Kung Fu,  Dopapod, Cope, Lucky Costello and Earphunk. Advanced weekend is $155, and that includes primitive camping Friday-Sunday. Thursday's pre-party costs $30 extra. Crowd skews young, scene goes late into the night.

Virginia Key

Virginia Key Grassroots Festival Feb. 20-23: A newish world-beat camping fest just outside Miami hosted by Americana roots-jammers Donna the Buffalo that's now in its second year. festgrrl was unable to attend the inaugural event last year, but her roving band of experienced festivarians gave it great reviews (although they stayed in hotel and did not camp, so I can't provide intell on that aspect - it's a county park which looks nice and has a little beach.) Tickets are $100 now, and $120 at the gate. Camping is extra, and there are several options. You can see my previous post with details here.

Mandolin genius Chris Thile of The Punch Brothers Will Play Springfest

Suwannee Springfest March 20-23: One of the premier newgrass fests in the U.S. Happens at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl. The Avett Brothers, Sam Bush, the Punch Brothers, and Del McCoury band headline. Has a really great lineup, always.

One of the Many Smokin' String Jams  at Springfest

 Expect lots of campground picking. A great fest to bring kids to. Advanced tickets are $155 and include primitive camping alongside your car. Lots of amenities in the park, including a pretty river beach, a pool, camp store, cabins, golf cart rentals, and a restaurant. Also hotels close by.

Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers

Wanee Festival  April 10-12: The Allman Brothers' annual big fest, now in its tenth year. And this year is bittersweet, since the band won't be in its current form after this year. Ace guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks are leaving the Allman Brothers to pursue other projects, and that leaves the Brothers in major flux.

Wanee is big and crowded, but the 600-acre  Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park can definitely handle the crowds (about 15,000 to 20,000.) Wanee always has a star-studded lineup. Besides the Allman Brothers, this year you'll hear  Lynyrd Skynrd, Trey Anastasio Band, Tedeschi-Trucks Band, moe., Umphreys McGee, Ziggy Marley, electric Hot Tuna, Gov't Mule and more.

Wanee Main Stage Field

The Wanee crowd is comprised lots of different ages -- plenty of Baby boomers, natch. Allman fans come in from all over the country for this one. Weekend tickets (which include primitive camping) are $195 advanced plus fees ($218 total.)

Purple Hatter's Ball May 9-11: Annual fest held at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in honor of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, a purple-hatted young fester who was tragically murdered in Tallahassee in a botched police sting. The get-together is a way to celebrate her life. The lineup is dance-y and eclectic: Beats Antique, Emancipator Ensemble, The New Mastersounds, The Heavy Pets, Dubconcious, Catfish Alliance, and more. Tickets are $85 advanced, $120 at the gate.

Orange Blossom Jamboree  May 15-18: Sertoma Youth Ranch, Brooksville, Florida. Small and intimate, with a lot of cool bands out of the Central Florida scene -- anchored by the very talented jam band Cope. Love this place, love this little fest. Intimate,only a couple stages, camping right close to the tunes, lovely vendors. Tickets include primitive camping -- you can get electric/water sites for extra, be aware they go fast so get them soon. $60 advanced for a 3-day pass, $75 advanced for a 4-day pass.