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Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance Blog - News, Information and Fun!
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About Me
- Megan Romer - GrassRoots Festival
- 4 Days, 4 Stages, Over 60 Bands... the GrassRoots Festival is Music Lovers' Paradise!
73 comments:
KEITH FRANK! KEITH FRANK! KEITH FRANK!
I don't see a few "headliners" like in years past. Matter of fact, I don't see one.
Really? Just a few:
The Court Yard Hounds is Emily Robison and Martie Maguire; 2/3 of the Dixie Chicks. They managed to hit the Top 10 pop, country, and rock charts with their 2010 eponymous release, and have toured extensively with both the Eagles and Keith Urban. Good stuff!
Sammy Kershaw is a well-known but down-to-Earth country music artist who has had multiple Top 10 country hits, including "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," "She's the Queen of my Double-Wide Trailer," "Love of My Life," and more. Sammy has long shared our commitment to ending AIDS and the suffering it causes, beginning all the way back in 1994 with a cover of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain," which appeared on the 'Red Hot and Country' benefit album.
Seun Kuti is the scion of Afrobeat, carrying on the legacy of his father, Fela Kuti, Afrobeat pioneer, radical politician, human rights activist, and all-around legend who inspired multiple biographies, documentaries, and even a hit Broadway musical. After Fela's death in 1997, Seun -- then only 14 years old -- had the foresight to keep his father's band, Egypt 80, together, quietly planning his own debut which would take place nearly a decade later. Since then, he's wowed the world music and indie rock communities and he will surely wow us.
Tinariwen, who met in Ghaddafi's rebel camps in the early 1980s, played our festival once before (in 2005) and gave such an incredible performance that we've been waiting the day when their tour schedule would allow them to come back again. They've played every major music festival in the world, including Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, Roskilde, and Coachella, they've opened on tour for the Rolling Stones, and they've won a stack of international awards. If you know world music, you know that they're a big deal.
Should I go on?
ell despite the musical elitism and the fact that I don't "know" world music, I agree. I don't think 2 of the Dixie Chicks a headliner makes. Yawn....I'll pass this year.
Hahha this lineup is incredible! It's a world music festival...it's one of the most unique in the country. Love the diversity!
Disappointing line up, for sure, for some one who enjoyed last year's inclusion of several Cajun Zydeco bands that included Bonsoir Catin and a few others. Glad I did not reserve a site before reading who the scheduled performers were. Strawberry Park and Rhythm & Roots in Rhode Island seem to be the only festivals where Cajun and Zydeco get a decent venue. Maybe in 2012....
Well I've got to say I'm a bit underwhelmed by this years line up, as is becoming a pattern you are light on Tropical Latin music, Locos por Juana simply are not Plena Libre or Nova Lima. It's been a while since you've had a real headliner like Los Lobos or Lucinda Williams, but then it's been a while since you had say... The Waifs, The Avett Brothers, The Duhks, Mamadou Diabate or Eilan Jewell either. At least I can depend on the regulars... The Campbell Brothers, Samite or Sim Redmond, but this line up is extra medium... at least you aren't back with Arrested Development and Rusted Root yet again, but you're light on Reggae and light on Latin and while Suen Kuti might be interesting... he's NOT Fela, but then nobody is, nice to see Thomas Mapfumo back again though.
So yeah a bit underwhelmed but will be there just the same.
(ICE)
Some really good bands. So glad Locos Por Juana are back!!!! No big headliners but I think that's fine as long as the music that is there is great and there is a lot of potential in this lineup! I would LOVE to see them get Rubblebucket Orchestra someday and where is Sharon Jones!!!! So sad she won't be there this year. Still will rock it out though.
Remember that the Avett Brothers played here back before anyone knew who the Avett Brothers were. Seriously, they showed up in a dented minivan the first time they played. Who will the next up-and-comer be? I'll guarantee there's one or two on this lineup somewhere.
As for Cajun and Zydeco, the Red Stick Ramblers will be here with their new lineup, featuring former Pine Leaf Boy Blake Miller on accordion. The Franks and Walter Mouton will also be pumping out all manner of waltzes and two-steps many times over the four days. We're not an exclusive Cajun/Zydeco festival, but we think they make their presence known here quite well. If you're looking for CZ only, the festivals you mentioned are awesome and highly recommended!
Well, I would just like to say, I am THRILLED with the line up. Some people may interpret the line up as a disappointment or whatever but I look at it and see a million new bands that I get to listen to and become a new fan of! Super excited for Kinship and Makepeace bros and part of me is freakin' ecstatic about Keith Frank, but I thought last year was the last year??? I'm afraid to get excited........
<3 grassroots
@EmmaMae - I can't make any guarantees, but I suspect that Keith will be gracing our stages for many years to come.
@IceMan - As for tropical Latin, we've got Cuban son legends Sierra Maestra coming... they are incredible!
i totally agree, no big headliners this year..last year wasn't that great as well (except for the legend haggard). who's bringing in these bands ? would seem in today's economy we could try to pull in music that will bring people. plus, if there are fans suggesting this festival to their favorite bands, why would they want to come? the "headliners" mentiond are country & kuti was in ithaca recently=not that great of a show. i plan passing as well, there's a few better festivals out west, one is even free. boo grassroots.
totally agree..while the grassroots regulars & ithaca music scene is well represented as it is every year, this line up is weak compared to many years ago. also glad we aren't seeing rusted root or arrested development again. i thought grassroot's slogan was "music lovers' paradise" now it seems it's "drunk boring same old same old paradise." i ask as well, who is getting these bands? thank god richie stearns is back maybe he can carry the festival !
whatever, haters. this is the best lineup ive ever seen. sounds like you idiots dont know jack about music. chocolate drops, tinariwen, courtyard hounds, balkan beat box, thomas mapfumo, thousands of one, jim lauderdale, holy ghost tent revival, jbb, gpgds ... hell yes! why dont you just go on phish tour and leave us alone, plzzzz?
Y'all, you HAVE to be nice to each other, or I'm going to have to start deleting comments, mmmkay?
GrassRoots is booked by a top-level committee with a dozen or two next-level advisors, all of whom are musicians, artists, and/or music business professionals who've been doing this job for 20 years. The committee members attend conferences, see tons of live music, go to other festivals, talk to agents, presenters, and music lovers worldwide to keep abreast of what's awesome and what's happening. They're not out to populate the stages with a bunch of big-name headliners who will draw in a large crowd of people who'll promptly leave after one set... what fun would that be for the rest of us? No, they book the festival with a curatorial eye toward balance and flow. And to answer the economics question, we've seen consistent or growing numbers since about 1999. Empirical data tells us that "big names" have little to nothing to do with that.
In the 12 years that I've been doing my job with the festival, I have heard every complaint under the sun. "The bands are all the same." "My favorite band didn't get booked again." "Why don't you ever hire any big headliners?" "Why do you hire so much country?"
But you know what's funny? I have NEVER ONCE heard any of these complaints after the festival's over. Never once has anyone sent an email or called in to say, "Know what? This year's lineup was disappointing. I was bored most of the time and didn't like the music." Never. I've heard post-festival complaints about the porta-johns and the campsites, about the overall music volume and the price of tie-dye shirts in the craft area, and the drum circle (both its presence and absence caused complaints) and the festival neighbors. I have NEVER heard a complaint about the quality of the music.
So that means that either those who aren't interested stay home or choose a different festival (that's okay with us -- no one's forcing you to come!) or they actually discover that just because they haven't heard of many of the bands on our lineup doesn't mean that they're not good.
I encourage you all once again to really spend a few minutes looking through the band list, clicking on some links, looking up some YouTube videos... there's really good stuff here. Big names and sleeper hits, international and down-home sounds, local favorites and far-flung finds. If you really don't like what you see, that's totally fine and you're totally right that there are other wonderful festivals out there in this wide world that might be a better choice for you, but there's no reason to fling insults.
For those of you who are stoked about the lineup, we're with you -- we think this is the most exciting and fresh roster we've had in years and we can't wait to see how it all shakes out live!
Thanks for reading!
I saw the Carolina Chocolate Drops in Albany - and they were FABULOUS! Yayy! can't wait to see them again! They actually won a grammy this year as well.... :-)
Sorry, we're not going to stand for direct insults of anyone or their musical tastes. Feel free to try again without the derogatory tone.
I understand there are constraints on just whom you can bring in and that there are "Legacy" bands that are asked to return each year but it's those third tier bands that seem to be getting a bit light of late... back in the day it would have been Color Blind James, but again apart from Iggy Pop or Keith Richards... corpses don't put on great shows.
If your gonna bring in some type of Country or America type bands/acts why not try for someone like Hayes Carll or Robbie Fulks? Maybe The Felize Brothers,James McMurtry or even Sonny Landreth? Hey I really miss not seeing The Duhks or The Eilan Jewell Band. Hell I still miss The Hix. Maybe get Terrance Simien or The Gourds... there are always a few of the same Native American Bands... but you don't ever seem to have any Hawaiian players... their has to be some spare member of the Pahanui family or someone like Bob Brozman willing to work the east coast one of these years... you are always light on real non Zydeco blues players and as I've said Rory Block or Ellen McIlwaine are both real players... balsy women are worth bringing in, I still can't forget seeing the Waifs here some years back when one of the sisters was clearly about ten months pregnant and blowing a mean harmonica!
Then there's the fact that you have one, possibly two real Latin acts at the most each year and while I'm pleased to hear Sierra Maestra... how about Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca or Jimmy Bosch ... I found Locos por Juana to be rather schizophrenic, they did justice to Willie Colon's classic Salsa tune "Calle Luna, Calle Sol" played a more than fair brand of Cumbia... but spent more than half of both their sets doing half assed Reggaeton... and that of course is what when over with the audience... in short they weren't Plena Libre, they weren't Nova Lima... they get me thinking of Willie Colon and then go dance hall and mess my head up wanting far more Salsa and Cumbia... if they were no good it wouldn't have pissed me off half as much it it did !!!
(ICE)
Well if saying I don't like Donna the Buffalo but understand others do...and wish that you had more first string Reggae bands like Burning Spear, who put on one hell of a show last year considering that his son had just died the previous day... well so be it... but the fact is that you stated that you had NEVER ONCE HEARD ANYONE complain about the quality of the music...and when you do, well you chose to delete it... well you ASKED so I honestly told you WHY I was some times disappointed I have been to Grass Roots before your twelve years started and unlike others posting less than glowing comments I intend to return, but don't set someone up for deletion by claiming never to hear negative comments about the music... and then choose not to acknowledge that you've heard an ARGUMENT ABOUT why someone might not always be thrilled... as far as my "derogatory tone" well I'm sorry you felt that it was...maybe that is all you heard, but I do feel that things have changed and that there was a choice in the case of BRINGING BACK for a second year running Rusted Root and Arrested Development,neither band being particularly unknown or rare to be to appeal to a part of the audience that had little or no interest in much of what Grass Roots started out to be...ECLECTIC... but it was an honest comment and I stand by it.
(ICE)
I think you should spend some time looking at the previous performers page and tell me a year when the music was substantially more diverse than it is this year. I've been to all 20 festivals and I've never seen one. The "style" of our selection committee has changed very little over the years -- sure, some years we don't have a major reggae headliner (like this year, or 2007, 2003, 2001...), some years our Americana selection is more abundant than others, some years there's a single top-heavy headliner and some years there are a few not-as-top-heavy headliners. Mostly this has to do more with the routed schedules of the artists -- some years, there are lots of African bands on tour, for example, some years are excellent for Latin music. We're not going to change a style that has worked beautifully for us over 21 years just because you don't like our host band or any of our headliners this year.
I'm sorry that you don't feel like our lineup is eclectic enough. Looking down the list, I see bands from Nigeria, Israel, Mali, Zimbabwe, Colombia-via-Miami, Brazil, Uganda, Cuba, Sweden, Cajun Louisiana, The Dine, Mohawk, Akwesasne, Hopi, Lumbee, and Anishinabe Tribes, and representing Black Stringband, Sacred Steel Gospel, Appalachian Old-Time, Irish, Western Swing, Rockabilly, and Reggae traditions, to give an incomplete list. Sorry if that's not inclusive enough for you. Perhaps there's another festival out there that would better meet your needs. If you find it, let us know -- we'd love to go!
Don't feed the trolls, Megan... you've better things to do...
To all of the naysayers - Megan said it best - you do not HAVE to attend this festival and you can choose something else if you so desire...
My wife and I cannot wait for the event and we look forward to experiencing fantastic world music - music that we know and music that we will be introduced to...a special THANK YOU to the organizers, committee members, and dedicated staff for such an incredible event and lineup!!
Hmmm, nice debate I see! I understand many of the concerns on BOTH sides. I'd like to see more "headliners", yet I do not want to see the crowds that come with them! Such a conundrum-what to do-what to do?
I prefer the up and comers that are on the way to becoming headliners, yet have not arrived as of yet. As a 20 year Grassroots SUMPREME ELDER (yes u may laugh and mock my moniker at this point) I have found the headliners do not deliver like dome of the smaller bands more eager to please. For example, I have seen over 2000 bands live and The Blue Rags at the Grassroots has to go down as one of the best live performances I have EVER witnessed. So screw the headliners and just give me the bands that "rip up the damn floorboards" period. I could care less of the genre, do they MAKE me move regardless of my severe hangover? That my friends is the question you must ask yourselves! Watch Sythian this year on Thursday night and you'll understand where I'm coming
from.
There are a couple things that bother me, but I've learned to live with them. For example, I have run into numerous GOOD bands that have told me they would die to play at G'roots but have always been turned down. Instead the "friends" of the festival continue to get solo sets instead. That bothers me a little, but this festival is entwined in the fabric of my life at this point so I leave it alone. Music is and always be the most arguable topic ever so Megan dont sweat it!
Ps-I remember Megan when she was still in her Donna The Buffalo" kid pajamas!!! HEHEHEHEHE
Pss-Megan don't forget my 25th anniversary festival idea!!! This is where you bring back some of the long forgotten early festival faves like Perfect Thyroid and Rasta Raffiki!!!
Silba
negative energy sucks......Reggae Love = GPGDS
Tie dye at grassroots 2010 was the most awesome stuff I ever bought. Best quality, reasonable prices even with tax added on... hope to get another of those shirts from them this year! Did you guys see those dyes? Phenomenally Phat!
ERIC KAZUKIEWICZ, ERIC KAZUKIEWICZ, ERIC KAZUKIEWICZ, ERIC KAZUKIEWICZ, ERIC KAZUKIEWICZ....next year, PLEASE???
Interesting stuff. As far as online 'debates' go it's nice to see some decorum -- even it got a little hairy there for a moment.
My $.02? Thanks for asking - I would love to see G'Roots ban glow sticks. They really are not good for the environment (although I admit they look cool) and they hurt when you get hit by one. Maybe someone knows the answer to this more specifically but I have to think that the half life of those things must is very long. Is it really worth the 45 minutes of fun we have with them? Now - I suspect many people use them, but there are alternative to night time illumination.
Looking forward to G'Root 2011!
..loving the open debate...here is the deal...like it or not, this is groots 2011..personally, seun kuti and tirawren and thomas mapfumo and horse flies makes this a premier event of the highest dancing degree...i love the fact that the headliners are not really headliners...and i love the unmentioned fact that Gathering of the Vibes in nasty Bridgeport is going on simultaneously...you want headliners, go to the Vibes...I wish Derek and Susan were coming to grassroots, but I dont need another 3000 wookies without day jobs pouring into tburg either...
I don't get it - are all those negative comments from "anonymous" by the same person, or is there a new outbreak of a-holes in the T-burg area. I'll be going to my 15th Grassroots, and I think the lineup is terrific. Kudos for booking Taniwaren again - they were an all-time highlight last time.
I don't get it. Are all those negative comments by "anonymous" by the same person or has a posse of bozos taken over T-burg? this will be my 15th Grassroots and i think the lineup is terrific. Kudos for booking Taniwaren again.
Okay, this is great. But where is the daily lineup, and the volunteer signup? At least according to my calendar it's May 1, and the schedule was to be posted "BY May 1". Anyone else frustrated??
Yes, please, let's get rid of lightsticks!!! They are the HEIGHT of planned obsolescence, as they don't even stay together for the hour or so that they glow. They create a lot of trash (ex-trash crew), they hurt when thrown, they hurt when stepped on, and they are SO bad for the environment!! We want to be an environmentally friendly festival as well as a great musical festival. So, how do we go about the banning of SELLING of such things, both inside and outside the festival gates? (We can't keep people from bringing their own, but maybe we can keep any from being sold; gotta start somewhere!) Thanks for the great idea, Megan!
. Where is the schedule?
Hey, relax on the schedule. I'm sure the schedule will be posted when it is done. Chill out. :)
I personally am glad there are not any "headliners" (while I agree with Megan that some on the list could be considered such). To me, grassroots is unique in offering the diversity and the main point I like is that it does not generally have these "big" acts. Looks mighty fine to me! I think folks complaining about the line-up may prefer Bonnaroo (?).
hey man, some of us have to plan our lives (work) around the sched. and as for bonnaroo that festival is amazing, but its no Grassroots.
I am just pumped Keith Frank is back !!! Also hoping my good friends in Thousands of One get a Infield slot this year. Other than that, people need to relax on the Lineup. It is going to be a blast, open your mind and hearts to new views and vibes. You cant go wrong with what you be given at Groots. Thank you for 16 years of fun and memories. I personally cant wait for this year. See ya on Rabbit Run jamming with my crew wed night, stop by and have a shot and say Hi.-Judgey
Sorry, Megan - Sammy Kershaw is no Merle Haggard.
I'll be at the festival like always, because I'm already committed to work there. If I wasn't, I might have showed up anyway, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the line-up.
Re: glowsticks. Banning those things wouldn't bother me, but I'm not sure it should be such a high priority. When you drive to the festival, you probably burn enough petroleum for a decade's supply of disposable trip-toys. Instead of an outright ban, you should just lay a heavy guilt trip on the glowstick kids for being unsustainable and killing baby seals - much more effective in the long run.
You want "big headliners" go to Bonnaroo and deal with the mobs. Mid-level acts and relative unknowns are more interesting and don't attract the lemmings and 1-band fans. It's a chance to make new discoveries. I'm jazzed that the CCDs are coming - they're awesome (went to BRRR/2010 in TN & saw them there. They attracted a lot of attention.) Happy about the CYH coming also. Not as good as the DxChx but not bad either.
Was so sorry not to see Kelly and the Cowboys returning! Hopefully next year? And no Burke & Bone? I hope its because these excellent groups are just too busy.
Where are the jam bands? Railroad Earth and Rusted Root were awesome last year. Hoping to see Disco Biscuits as headliner. Agree that 2 of 3 Dixie Chicks don't constitute a headliner. Guess we get Gaddfi's house band (Tanariwen) as booster.
I am so excited for grassoots this year! It makes my summer. Congratulations on the great lineup!
Whoooooaaaaaaaaaa. Schedule dominates. Great to see Keith back for sat. night dance tent. Especially stoked to see Uniit on sched. Only problems I'm gonna have is how to be in three places at once, and when to sleep.
Hi Megan, I think it's time for our annual parking debate/argument!!! YEAHHHHHH. I noticed a flyer enclosed with my next door parking pass stating (I believe) that we cannot line up on Rabbit Run Road until Thursday at noon. I think that's what it said-going by memory.
Megan can this be REAL!?!? That would cause complete and utter chaos!!! Can you just imagine a thousand cars essentially playing musical chairs around the perimeter of the festival grounds. It would be a nightmare. Please comment on this for us.
Thanks
The Grassroots Grand High Exalted Supreme Elder
Don't see headliners? What? Scythian is there. That alone is all you need.
BANDS THAT ARE BY AND LARGE INACTIVE DO NOT DESERVE TWO TIME SLOTS.THE TALK TO ME'S??? ARE YOU KIDDING?
Got to agree with that this guy^
ITS COMPLETE AND TOTAL BS. TALK TO ME'S DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, THOUSANDS OF ONE HAVEN"T REALLY BEEN RELEVANT IN YEARS, WHILE NEW BANDS ARE HOLDING ITHACA'S MUSIC SCENE UP GET 1 TIMESLOT AT TERRIBLE TIMES, NEWYORK ROCK, AYURVEDA, GUNPOETS, RUN ITHACA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I just gotta respond to the last post. I've been on the soapbox myself regarding the little local bands that are "friends of the festivsal" that get multiple time slots. But your comment on Thousands of One really show you to be a tad ignorant. A band that had only been around a few years cannot qualify as a "band that hadn't been relevant in years". I agree with you on like the talktomes, but you not only missed the boat on Thousands to One YOU MISSED THE ENTIRE SHIPYARD! They are a huge up and coming band who put on one hell of a show. The lead singer has one of the best pure voices I've ever heard-similar to David Hines/Hinds of the legendary Steel Pulse. The powers that be of the Grassroots feat thank God recognized this which is why they got a prime spot this year. You want to catch that show, maybe it will make you reconsider your last post.
Carpool info? Anyone traveling from Connecticut?
Wow! ya man, Thousands of One are growing stronger every year. New York Rock is a decent band, Gunpoets are a great show but they don't carry the same level of energy at their shows. Veda is an amazing sound too. As for who is carrying Itown music that goes on the community supporting the bands period.
Thousands of one are by no means a new band. As well, they aren't really putting in the same amount of work that the band I mentioned are. Gunpoets have been around for only two years and Mike Brindisi too. THousands have been around for like 5-6 years. I agree the singer is one of the best in town. I don't agree that they are bringing the same level of energy that the bands I mentioned are. I DO agree people are being too harsh on the headliners though. One lve. Sorry I was so harsh.
I have seen ToO a few times this year in Ithaca, Binghamton. They had new music at each show. I am pumped to see them at Floyd Fest too. Some people have diffrent taste I music but I for one can't wait to see them in the Infeild this year.
Hey if you like Thousands of One and your in the Binghamton area the weekend of June 17th booked at the Cyber.
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=222994131052956
groundupproductions.sj@gmail.com
Sean Judge
I've been doing music festivals for 25 years and long ago gave up choosing them based on the music lineup. In fact, I would go as far as to say you should NEVER choose a festival by the music lineup alone. Rather, find an event that caters to your music tastes, where the people who run the stages know what they are doing, where the crowds are awesome and expressive, where you can get close enough to see the band without watching em on a screen, where you can get a perfect slice of NY style pizza on the midway at 3am, and where the location is scenic and convenient.
This will be my 14th year at Grassroots and I know each year I'll be back because they deliver the goods. A decade back I didn't know squat about African music. These days, Nigerian Afropop and traditional Malian griot music are two of my favorite genres, the result of years of feasting at the fabulous buffet of world roots music that is served up on the T'burg fairgrounds year after year. Seun Kuti is easily one of the hottest young acts in world music today, and is a certifiable global headliner. The same accolades apply to Tinariwen, who are amongst the best bands to ever play Grassroots, and possibly one of the most talented bands on the planet.
IMNSHO, Thousands of One may be the fastest rising stars on the Finger Lakes music scene. I've caught them along the mid-Atlantic twice in the past few months and they are catching fans everywhere they go. Not to be missed.
I second the huge props for the Blue Rags as one of the best GR bands ever. Those guys camped in their van right next to my tent and must have played 3-4 sets that year. We followed em to Pittsburgh when it was over. Yup. They were that good.
So say what you will. Do what you choose. But the fact is, there are few better music parties in the country, let alone the continent, than Grassroots. Miss it at your peril, because someone will surely tell ask you later ... "Wow, remember when those cats played at Grassroots?" And you'll wanna say "Hell, yes!"
WOW-now THAT sums it all up perfectly!!! I'm stunned at your accuracy regarding well... EVERYTHING!!! APPLAUSE NOW FANS!!'
quick comment..dont miss yvette landry in the dance tent!! its cajun music and she is a talented performer..she also plays in lafayette rhythm devils and bonsoir catin...which by the way rocked the house last year...we danced all nite...cant wait!!!hurry up july 21st...see yalll there...and for those of u who were dissappointed in the lineup...dont be ive seen most of the performers and they all rock!!!
Thursday is shaping up as one of the all time classic Grassroots nights - Donna, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Court Yard Hounds, Thomas Mapfuno, Tinariwen, Jim Miller. In the immortal words of Phil Rizutto, "holy cow"
I don't usually weigh in on threads like this, but whoa... I guess there's just never any accounting for people's different (and strongly held) tastes. I think this year's line-up is one of the best in a long time, and, trust me, I'm not just saying this. I'm genuinely more excited to see a bunch of bands this year, than I have been in a long time. Add Balkan Beat Box to your list of groups not to miss!!!
Jeff Claus
of The Horse Flies
and Boy with a Fish
I agree Jeff, I think Balkan Beat Box will be this years "best new G'roots band"! If you haven't you tuned them yet-you need to!!!
Anyone driving from New Mexico or thereabouts?
Carolina chocolate Drops, do not miss, that's all i have to say. Jurbala from Tampa, Fl formally of Mecklenburg, NY
The Wolfpack will completely dominate...as usual. "Dominating Grassroots since 1990". Plan on having an epic Saturday night and plan on 'Dancing with Wolves'. Alpha Male.
Sad to hear that one of the most unique features of Grassroots, the mural painting of the wall and van has been discontinued. It's hard to think of a valid reason for the stifling of creativity.
We cannot line up on Rabbit Run Road until Thursday at noon? That does not sound correct. Please Megan can you confirm or deny?
@ Anonymous -- there will be community art projects, just different ones. Gotta mix things up sometimes.
@Techno -- I'm not sure what you're referring to, exactly. There are different procedures for different types of camping; i.e. next-door camping is different than infield camping. If you need clarification on any given procedure, an email to info@grassrootsfest.org or a phone call to 607-387-5098 will give you a more detailed explanation than I'm probably able to give here.
It's understandable to mix things up, but why totally eliminate a part of the festival people love? The van is awesome, and if it couldn't be in its normal spot, why not somewhere else, if you're worried about room? Back of the infield? Somewhere on the track that goes around? And now no face-painting either? I don't know if you can call this "mixing things up," you're just ruining everyone's fun because, what? You can't figure out space issues-which don't seem to have caused any problems in the past? "Mixing things up" is not an acceptable answer.
Hi G'roots, there is a rumor up here in line that next door campers will not be allowed in until 3:00. Many are concerned for obvious reasons. The biggest being that everyone paid the same amount to camp and therefore do not want to be discriminated against. Not to mention the fact that Bubba George starts at 1:30! Lastly what happens to all these people/vehicles when the line starts to move? Any info would be appreciated because there are a lit of next door campers concerned. Thanks!!!!
Nope, you can get into next door camping at noon, just like everywhere else. It'll be a big to-do, of course, and the line'll be long, but the gates will open at noon, and everyone should have no trouble getting in and at least mostly set up by the time Bubba George is starting.
For more questions, everyone, please call the office -- the blog is not a dependable place to get an answer at this point! 607-387-5098
We love you Megan !!!
wolves are readying all up and down the coast. Wolfpack is bring the heat. Let's get it HOT!
Megan, last year there was parking available in front of the house located at the next door camping. Is this available this year as well? It's just parking-no camping.
Thanks
Supreme. (LOL)
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