Music Festivals That Suit Your Budget and Support a Cause
January 24, 2010 | Jen Smith
State festivals can save student's money and support a good cause
The second annual Harvest of Hope festival released their line-up and thus kicked off the music festival season. Harvest of Hope is unique because the indie festival benefits the Harvest of Hope Foundation, a charity that provides aid to migrant farm workers. This time of year can prove expensive for music lovers, as the cost of tickets, camping passes and gas can quickly rack up. For students who want to experience the festival atmosphere without going for broke, smaller festivals right in your own state can bring the best of campus radio for less cash and a good cause.
Savannah Music Festival March 18-April 3 Savannah, GA
The Savannah Music Festival is a three-week celebration of music that benefits arts education. The festival produces programs for children and adults in the theatres, schools and historic venues of Savannah, while bringing in over 400 musicians to perform. This year, Wilco and indie-sweethearts She & Him will perform. Tickets for individual events are now on sale here.
34th Annual Summer Arts and Music Festival June 5-June 6 Benbow, CA
This is the most comprehensive music and arts festival on the North Coast. Celebrating the arts with an all-media fine arts exhibit as well as 100 performers on four stages, this festival offers a lot for only a $22 weekend pass. For more information, visit this site.
Harmony Festival June 11-13 Santa Rosa, CA
Harmony Festival is going on its 32nd year of celebrating community activism, environmental awareness and harmony amongst people and nature. The festival not only includes music, but speakers and activists spreading a message of global peace. Last year featured the likes of India.Arie, Dead Kennedys, CAKE and Bad Brains. To keep updated on this year’s lineup and ticket information, visit harmonyfestival.com.
The 6th Annual Mountain Jam June 4-June 6th Hunter, NY
Mountain Jam is all about the best new music as well as spreading environmental awareness. This year brings over 40 bands on four stages including The Avett Brothers, Les Claypool, Gov’t Mule and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Discounted early bird tickets are on sale as of Jan. 25. For more information, visit mountainjam.com.
Jammin’ for the Animals Festival July 30-July 31 Leesport, PA
A quaint festival featuring Cabinet, Flux Capacitor, Mark Furman Band and more that also benefits a local humane society. Besides the music, the festival also offers hiking, swimming, a live art village and workshops in tie dying, pottery and glassblowing. Not to mention the festival is held in the beautiful, rural setting of Blue Falls Grove. Tickets are only $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. For more information, visit jamminfortheanimals.
Don’t forget that performers are rallying together all around the country to benefit Haiti, including a last minute show by Radiohead in Los Angeles on Jan 24. Don’t miss the opportunity to see a band you like in your town for this important cause.
To find out more information about festivals in your state, visit jambase.com.
Good stuff. In my day, there was only one…Woodstock.