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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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