Wednesday, July 27, 2005
FloydFest, FiddleFest or both?
Too much live outdoor music and not enough time
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| Hear samples of the acts featured on The List. (Real Player required). ——— The Grascals (FiddleFest)Viva Las Vegas (with Dolly Parton) ——— Asylum Street Spankers (FloydFest) |
How to decide? That is the question on the minds of many local music lovers. This weekend marks the first time that two of the summer's largest local music festivals coincide. A debate over which festival to attend - FloydFest? or FiddleFest? - is enough double alliteration to land even the most astute arguers in an inconclusive stuttering match.
| Festival stuff |
| Read our conversation with FloydFest co-founder Kris Hodges ——— Check out The List for even more music options |
It would probably be easier if one festival had less to offer. But unfortunately (or fortunately), both are equally accessible and offer instrument workshops and great camping deals for the weekend.
Even better, the flatfootin' and groovin' dance floors define scenic: FiddleFest will take place on the rolling hills of the Hollins University campus, and no one is going to object to a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get to the peaceful meadows of FloydFest.
For those still stuck in the middle, the musical lineups for the shindigs are slightly different and might spark partiality.
FLOYDFEST?
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Ani DiFranco |
FloydFest (Friday through Sunday) will include fame-dipped contemporary rock artists like Ani DiFranco and Xavier Rudd, in addition to regional hoedown heroes like Bebop Hoedown. The official breakdown, according to FloydFest director Erika Johnson, is something like 40 nationally known artists, 15 regional artists (hailing from New York to Florida) and 15 hometown bands.
FloydFest also offers a unique global presence. There's at least three African groups alone - the African Showboyz, the Kusun Ensemble and Baba Ola Jagun and the Ancestral Rhythms.
OR FIDDLEFEST?
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The Grascals |
Meanwhile, FiddleFest (today through Saturday) will bring in musicians from the bluegrass/country scene. Groups like the Grascals and the Randy Kohrs Band have won the praise of country superstar Dolly Parton, who has recorded duets with both.
"I don't think that the fact that the festivals are on the same weekend is a bad thing," said Mike Conner, chairman of FiddleFest 2005. "The festivals share a little of the same music, but draw extremely different crowds. FloydFest is working to establish an eclectic global music festival, while FiddleFest is strictly old-time bluegrass - not necessarily Ralph Stanley bluegrass, but Nashville bluegrass. I guess it would be hard to decide if someone loved both types of music equally."
HOW 'BOUT BOTH?
If you do love both types of music equally (or just want to hit both scenes), consider this: With careful planning, there's a way to see both festivals for under $80. Here's how:
FRIDAY NIGHT: Go to bed early - like 6 p.m. Your friends and family will make fun of you, but this will guarantee you the stamina that you will need for the following two days of pickin' and shufflin'.
SATURDAY: Wake up Saturday morning and put on your overalls. It's time for a big day at FiddleFest. Also, make sure you throw your tent in the trunk. Whether you choose to camp at FiddleFest or FloydFest on Saturday night, you can't lose.
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Randy Kohrs |
Once you get to the Hollins University campus, you will be asked to pay $25 for a day pass at the gate. No big thing for the awesome day ahead of you.
Each day, FiddleFesters have the opportunity to learn and jam with that day's performers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For instrument instruction, be sure to check this out - at least 40 to 50 people can be accommodated per session, with five to six people per performer.
Saturday's performers include Rush Hour, the Grascals, the Randy Kohrs Band, Blue Ridge and Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time. After the bands complete the jam session, they begin playing at 1 p.m.
Other events of the day include bluegrass karaoke and live auditioning at the Outdoor Channel's mobile studio, where a FiddleFester will win his or her own fishing show.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Spend the night at FiddleFest for only $10, or there's the option of driving 45 minutes to Floyd to camp amongst an array of 200 tiki torches (call 745-3378 for details).
SUNDAY: Wake up ready to go. At the FloydFest gate, you will pay $45 for a day pass. Depending on when you get there, you can begin the day with the healing arts of your choice, including yoga and tai chi at 6 a.m., ashtanga yoga at 8, dances of universal peace at 9, chanting kirtans at 10 and reading the feet at 11.
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DJ Williams |
"We will also have several massage workshops and hot stone therapy," said director Erika Johnson. "The great thing about FloydFest is that it is a holistic sensory experience. We are in a beautiful area, and with over 70 musical acts, 70 arts and crafts vendors and numerous instrument workshops, there is a lot for the senses to take in."
FloydFest includes seven stages, which are far enough away to contain sound, but a short walk for festivalgoers.
Sunday's schedule includes aerial dancers (who actually perform in trees), a clogging workshop, musician DJ Williams, the Avett Brothers, headliner Ani DiFranco and more. DiFranco takes the Dreaming Creek main stage at 6 p.m. (and, she's just announced a yearlong hiatus from touring, so this will be the last chance to see her live for some time).
MORE INFO
FiddleFest
When: Today-Saturday
Where: Hollins University
Tickets: $75 for three days (includes camping); $25 for day passes; $15 for evening concerts only. Free for children under age 12 when accompanied by paying adult.
Call: (866) 883-9466
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FloydFest
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Milepost 170.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Floyd
Tickets: $115 for three days. Day passes: $40 on Friday; $50 on Saturday; $45 on Sunday. Ani DiFranco only: $30 (6 p.m. Sunday).
Call: 745-3378
