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.