Official Date

The official date has been finalized as Saturday July 31st, with a rain date (if necessary) the following day, Sunday August 1st. Start time TBD, end time just after sunset.

Start planning your day trip! ☺

Stuff

I sent a note to my friend Pete (we've known each other since early elementary school, and he was a huge influence on my musical taste back in high school in the mid-to-late 80's) about this project. I am hoping he wants to get together to create a song or three for "Amateur Hour". He is a really good percussionist, and I think with him on bongos and me on my guitar we could put out a good ten minutes of entertainment for our professional friends!

I am so excited about this. I hope it is such fun, and that the musicians have such a positive experience, that it could turn into a yearly event. Of course, the first one has to be a success first! I can't imagine it not being a fun day for all involved...

In-Blog Play:

Beat's So Lonely - Charlie Sex...

An Update (More Random Notes)

Good news: Jay is interested in playing! I feel this is a good indicator that Kris will as well (but I will wait for his confirmation before I get too excited). They play together in Lee Villaire's band (Check them out). Heck, maybe I can get them to ask her to come sing too...

I am also going to see which of my musically-inclined friends who do not usually perform in public would like to throw something together for what I am tentatively (and respectfully) calling "Amateur Hour". If anyone is interested please let me know.

I want there to be a true festival vibe, which is why I am considering the balloon launch for the kids, and I am trying to think of other things for them to do (though the lake itself should be the biggest draw for them), like face painting and soap bubbles. I am considering door prizes (everyone gets a ticket, and we draw the prizes throughout the day) as well. All (reasonable) ideas are welcome!

In-Blog Play:

Speak In Words - Vanessa Kafka

Random Notes

In regard to the wish list of performers, Dichotomy was a local band from the early 90's that four of my friends from high school put a lot of effort into, much to the delight of family, friends, and North Central Massachusetts as a whole. I had a cd of their songs floating around, so this past summer I posted them on a MySpace page for posterity, and now old fans are flocking there to reminisce a bit. My wish is for Nathan, Jason, Mark and Keith to get back together for a one-off at the festival, or barring a full-fledged reunion, have a couple of people sit in for the missing member(s). Who knows what it would sound like over 15 years later, but it sure would be cool!

As far as the actively working musicians on the list go, so far Christopher is interested, and Jay & Kris have each been sent a detailed e-mail about the event. I am considering several others as well, but I need to speak to them in person.

In-Blog Play:

Now's the Time - Charlie Parke...

Must-Haves

Aside from the obvious (musicians, a place to cook food and a port-a-potty), here are some of the ideal things I would like to have (and/or have happen) at Music Fest:

• Friends and family (of course).
  
• A small stage, or at least a flat dry area for the performers, most likely where the tree lines join, at the top of the slope.
  
• A canopy in case of rain.
• A keg of Wachusett beer (Nut Brown? Country Ale?) from the local microbrewery. Look up local soda companies too.
  
• T-shirts, posters, stickers, etc... of the event. Not for sale, but as a "thank you" for attending and helping to make a great day even better.
• Balloons for the kids? Maybe even postcards of the event which they can attach to the balloons to set free like I did way back in elementary school.

In-Blog Play:

Dog's Got A Bone - The Beta Ba...

The Catalyst/Inspirations

One of my 2010 New Year's resolutions is to host a music festival down at the family lot on Wyman's Pond this summer.

I have several friends who perform live music, and I think it would be amazing to get them all in one place to show off their skills for friends and family in a memorable one-off event.

I'll be posting as ideas hit me and things shape up, with band profiles, designs for posters, t-shirts, etc... that I come up with (to add weight and fun to the whole project), and any local businesses that might want to tie in (should I choose to pursue that route) for a bit of out-of-town exposure.

In-Blog Play:

Runaway - Mae