Oct 13, 2016
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We're featured on Subaru's "Dear Subaru" section of their website. Check it out! Great photo by Rich Tarbell from The Festy 2011.
Lessons from a Music Festival
We just returned from Nelson County, Virginia where I enjoyed the complete Festy experience of bands, food, camping, crunchiness, and more. Went an entire weekend without popping one collar--it was epic.
I haven't camped out for a music festival since I was in college and spent a few days at The Gorge in Washington state for DMB.
*this is not me. I don't know if those are shorts, a skirt, or coolats (which is a misnomer because there is nothing cool about them).
Here are the top lessons that I learned from my festival experience:
Molly is not some girl. (No, I do not know her).
Opium actually still exists. (No, I do not "know" it).
Jean shorts (which I refer to as jorts) are a girl concert staple.
It is "appropriate" to just wear your bra if it's hot enough out.
Watching people dance during the day is awkward.
Dancing during the day is awkward.
Hula hooping is hard. (I've been told my attempts make me look like a bobble-head having weird sex).
Listening to some of the bands ahead of time on Spotify definitely enhances the experience.
Wear deodorant. Maybe bring extras and share with your neighbors.
Being in a different tent is not like a different room...we can definitely hear you having sex.
- Alexandra
P.S. The Festy crew did an amazing job and should be commended for the awesome experience that took hundreds of hours to put together. They also did a really good job of creating a family friendly event so my drug mentions here were really limited to the camping areas and were not around kids at all. Thanks to Kellie for bringing that distinction to my attention.
The Two Man Gentlemen Band - "Me, I Get High on Reefer"
The Two Man Gentlemen Band have swung through Richmond on many an occasion at places like Strong Hill and The Camel. This weekend they will play the Southern Stage (Saturday afternoon) at The Festy!
The last time I saw this vaudeville/string duo they gave out kazoos to the entire audience for us to play along. These sort of hijinks are what to expect when these virtuosos take the stage. They're also just coyly racy enough that your mom might like them.
TTMGB will also play tomorrow (Friday 10/7) at Balliceaux if you prefer.
I highly recommend purchasing a really reasonable day pass for any of the days/nights this weekend. They are approximately $20 and let you into the greatest festival in central Virginia. Check out the rest of the lineup, and I'll see you there!
http://www.thefesty.com/festy-schedule/
photo by Ian Graham
Love Canon - "Working for the Weekend"
LOVE CANON will invade The Festy this weekend with two sets back to back on Friday on The Southern Stage. These dudes are a string band who cover 80s hits in a really fun way. Love Canon features members of Old School Freight Train and the band members are comfortably nestled in Charlottesville.
If you can't make it to The Festy (no excuse) and still want to experience Love Canon, check them out at The Republic on Thursday, 10/6 at 10pm, FREE!
Larry Keel and Natural Bridge - "The Water's So Cold" @ Springfest at Suwanee, 3/24/2011
Larry Keel and his folks have been on the local bluegrass scene forever and ever, at least as far back as I can remember. They are playing the main stage at THE FESTY this weekend! Based in Rockbridge County, VA, Keel lives and plays the music of southwest Virginia. The mountains and valleys seem to echo the man's sounds as he plays with his various groups. He helps open Day 1 of the festival, so be sure to get there early.
Sidenote story: When I was a senior in high school, Larry Keel played fairly often at Cary Street Cafe. One Saturday my friend and I went to CSC only to realize the age requirement of 21 and over. Blast! Why is there nowhere for people under the age of 21 to hang out and not get into trouble? We walked off, defeated, and decided that the only option was to drink in our car and drive around. We later got pulled over and cited, and I blamed Larry Keel for all of it. Not really, but I can't help but think of that story every time I hear him play.
Jim Lauderdale - "Love's Voice"
Nashville's Jim Lauderdale is another major performer at next weekend's The Festy! Lauderdale has played/collaborated with Norah Jones in The Little Willies and Dr. Ralph Stanley, and his solo sound takes the cake. This is a great musician to see play live.
Lauderdale plays at 2pm Saturday (10/8) on the main stage at The FESTY. See you there!
