Don't Miss von Grey at Suwannee Springfest

von Grey

This band of four young sisters from Atlanta, von Grey, are crazy talented and they sound like angels. They are fast-rising stars -- appearing on the David Letterman show and wowing the crowds at South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

This week at Suwannee Springfest (Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl. Get tickets here) they will play two shows -- Saturday 11:30 a.m. on the porch stage and 11:45 a.m. Saturday in the ampitheater.

Check them out!

Joe Craven Collaborates At Suwannee Springfest

Joe Craven with one of the many improvised instruments he plays

One of the coolest musicians working today is the ebullient Joe Craven, a master of percussion and string and all things musical. He is a musical teacher, a spirit messenger, a kick-ass improvisor, a soulful composer and thoughtful collaborator. A fixture on California roots and psychedelic scene back in the day, he played with Jerry Garcia, mandolin master David Grisman,  and many many others.

At Suwannee Springfest this week, (Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida, tickets here,) Joe is part of Mamajowali, a three-piece roots band with Mamadou Sidibe and Walter Strauss. They sound awesome in this clip. Mamajowali plays Saturday at 2:30 on the Meadow Stage and Sunday at 11:45 on the porch stage.

The Musicians of Suwannee Springfest

In 2009, young musical phenoms Tania Elizabeth of the Celtic/Latin/French-Canadian/Gospel/folk-inspired  band, The Duhks, from Canada, collaborates spontaneously with  Rashad Eggleston of the fantasy punkgrass California trio Tornado Rider. 

One of the best things about Suwannee Springfest is the amazing caliber of string musicians who come to play at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park year after year in Live Oak, Florida. It is widely known as a bluegrass festival, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Newgrass, world-beat, jazzgrass, punkgrass, even psychedelic and slam grass.

The fest starts Thursday (Get your tickets here), so this week I will be featuring some of the acts that you won't want to miss. This is not to give short shrift to the likes of  Leftover Salmon, Donna the Buffalo, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Rowan, and Jerry Douglas -- just to name a few of the stellar acts that will be playing for us.

I've already given you a taste of the fantastic Red Baraat out of Brooklyn, playing Thursday late night. Today, let's give a listen to a pair of string virtuosos:   Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, who will be playoing Saturday at 1:30 in the ampitheater (and probably sitting in with numerous other acts over the weekend:

Killer World Beat Band Coming To Suwannee Springfest

So psyched that Suwannee Springfest is happening next week (March 21-24) at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida, with one of the best roots, newgrass and bluegrass lineups we've seen in years. 

This is a camping fest, you can camp with your car, and it's very family friendly. Four-day tickets are $165, $135 for students and military personnel.

The fest kicks off Thursday -- festgrrl's birthday, dontcha know! -- with the supremely talented songwriter Nathan Moore (The Slip, Surprise Me Mr. Davis) at 3 p.m..

I'm particularly stoked to see the band which closes out Thursday night's lineup ---- Red Baraat, an eight-piece band out of Brooklyn described as "a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk, and hip-hop."  Get your nap time in -- they hit the stage in the Spanish moss-filled ampitheater a little after midnight. Check them out!!

African Music Festival This Weekend!

The Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville, Florida is home to an African dance and music festival this coming weekend -- March 14-17. There will be dance classes, drum classes, performances, food, and more. 

Tickets are $120 for the weekend, and that includes camping at this wonderful prvate park. Kids tickets are $30 for the weekend. There are also day passes, visit Camp Africa Florida for details

Here is the listing from our friends at JamBase:

Welcome to our African Village! Camp Maitres Tambour Afric is a 3 day/night interactive cultural event filled with music, dance, and stories of African culture and traditions hosted by world famous Masters of African drum and dance! Over 20 Drum and Dance Masters from multiple African ethnic groups (Ivory Coast, Guinea, Congo, Senegal). We want to bring people together to share our knowledge and help them gain a better understanding of our rich African culture. This annual event allows our guests to experience African arts, stories and traditions in an educational village type setting. 
*10 dance classes *10 drum classes (djembe, djun-djun, & ngoma)! *Traditional instrument classes (Balafon, Kora, Dodo) *African Song classes *Educational lectures about African Culture & Traditions *Storytelling *Children's workshops *Nightly facilitated drum circles around the bonfire *Performances by 4 different African musical groups (Dodo Awoko, Group Pelou, The Griots, and Drummers Spotlight!) & More 
Everyone is welcome in our Village! People of all ages and from all walks of life will be there. Our camp is not just an "event", it's an interactive "experience" that you will never forget. You will have a chance to understand the African culture in all of its dimensions. Our Tribal Chief, Titos Sompa is ready to welcome you to our Village! 

This weekend -- Zach Deputy Disc Golf Jam

Looks like good weather for Zach Deputy's Disc Jam this weekend (March 8-10) at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl. Even if you don't play disc golf you can go and camp and enjoy the live music on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

You can see my previous post on this lovely event, with all the details you need, plus a great live video of ZAch doing "Chicken Pot Pie,"   here.

Here it is- Spring Fest Lineup in the Southeast!

Oh yeah -- spring is here and the fest season in the southeast is cranking UP.

For your planning pleasure, here is a selected listing of upcoming fests of interest, links to their websites and their dates. I'll do more comprehensive previews and reviews, but I offer this as an organizing tool so you CAN GO SEE LIVE MUSIC and support our wonderful touring musicians before the weather gets stankin' hot.

March 8-10
Zach Deputy Disc Golf, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Fl.
Swamptown Getdown, Okeefenokee Campgrounds, Waycross, Georgia

March 9
Gasparilla Music Festival, downtown Tampa

March 21-24
Suwannee Springfest,  Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Fl.

April 11-14
String Break, Sertoma Ranch, Brooksville, Fl

April 13-14
Tortuga Fest, Fort Lauderdale beach

April 18-20
Wanee, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Fl.
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, Silk Hope, N.C. (20 minutes southwest of Chapel Hill)

April 19-20
Sweetwater 420 Festival, downtown Atlanta

April 25-28
Merlefest Wilkesboro, N.C.

May 4-5
Shaky Knees Festival, downtown Atlanta

May 9-12 
LEAF Festival, Black Mountain, North Carolina

May 10 -12 
Purple Hatters Ball, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Fl.
Paralounge Drum Gathering, Camp Kiwanis, Silver Springs, Fl.
Aiken Bluegrass Festival, Aiken, S.C.

May 17-19
Orange Blossom Jamboree, Sertoma Ranch, Brooksville, Fl.

May 24-26
Acoustic Cafe, Marion County, Alabama (about 70 miles northwest of Birmingham; 60 miles north of Tuscaloosa).
Florida Folk Festival, White Springs, Florida

May 31-June 2
Wakarusa, Mulberry Mountain, Ozark, Arkansas

May 17-18
Hangout Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama

June 13-16
Bonnaroo, Manchester, Tennessee