Coming Right Up: Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival

Virginia Key Beach Park

One of the coolest roots and world-beat music festivals in the southeast is happening at a little county beach park outside Miami  Feb. 18-21. The Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance has camping, dancing, and a roster of more than  40 bands over the weekend.

This year's lineup includes The Family Stone (of Sly and the Family Stone infamy,) Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, The Wood Brothers, Donna The Buffalo, Danay Suarez, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The Magic City Hippies, Big Mean Sound Machine, Locos Por Juana, and many more.

There's also a hands-on "culture camp" that happens in the days before, February 14-17, with instrument, dance, movement & cooking workshops on the beach. This is a very family-friendly fest, with kids' activities available.

This is the fest's 5th year, and it is run by a nonprofit group affiliated with the Cajun-inspired New York jam band, Donna the Buffalo. They say: "GrassRoots works to nurture local artists and talent while reaching around the globe to bring world music and culture to new audiences, creating environments that inspire creativity and foster community building. The impact of GrassRoots expands far beyond that which occurs during these four-day festivals. For over 25 years, GrassRoots has served to both engage and give back to the local and regional communities in which we exist by providing financial and organizational support to impact positive change."

Donna the Buffalo. festgrrl photo. 

Donna the Buffalo. festgrrl photo.

Believe it or not, this fest includes actual camping in Miami! It happens in a coastal county park with a beach. The campgrounds are located on the festival grounds, a very short walk from the beach. The festival site has big shade trees, palms and grassy lawns. The organizers note: "We encourage Tent Campers to bring drop cloths or tarps to lay under tents – the park’s native plant landscaping is beautiful, but a little prickly sometimes! Camping is primitive, there are no water or electric hook-ups. There is a bathroom and shower building nearby as well as portable toilets. No campfires allowed."

Virginia Key Beach Park. Miami Aerials photo.

Weekend tickets are $100 advanced and $120 at the gate. A 4-day youth ticket (ages 13-15) is $50. Kids 12 and under are free. Single day tickets are also available, and there are separate fees for camping, parking, and for the culture camp. Click here to peruse the options.