They're coming our way and will soon bring more joyful noise than a field full of cicadas.
It's time for spring music festivals. Next weekend alone you can dive in for anything from punk-infused bluegrass to a weekend-long-stream of Dixieland jazz.
Here's a look at just a few of the cool music festivals in our region in May, June and early July.
The 41st Annual Coon Sanders Nighthawks Fans' Bash
WHEN: Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17
WHERE: Ramada Inn Limited (just north of I-64, at Exit 11)
THE BANDS: The West End Jazz Band (Chicago), The Toll House Jazz Band (Columbus), The Backyard Dixie Jazz Stompers (Huntington), The Seven of Jazz, The Coon Sanders All-Star Band, Vince Lewis (guitarist), The 1937 Flood and pianist Ethan Uslan. The Flood plays the Jugband breakfast at 9 a.m., at 11 a.m. Saturday, a silent movie with Ethan Uslan on the piano.
HOW MUCH: A free jam session on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. buffet dinners followed by an evening of live Dixieland jazz. Cost is $130 for all events and meals or $55 per night for meal and entertainment. Entertainment only is $30. Saturday breakfast with the 1937 Flood is $15 while the Saturday afternoon tea dance is $10.
WHAT ELSE: Nationally-renowned pianist Ethan Uslan, who has been featured on NPR's "Prairie Home Companion," will play piano to a silent movie at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, following the 1937 Flood's jugband breakfast.
ON THE WEB: For more information, e-mail Dale Jones at coonsander@msn.com or call 304-633-5241.
The Fourth Annual Nelsonville Art and Music Festival
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 16-18
WHERE: Robbins Crossing Historic Village at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio
THE BANDS: More than 20 bands on multiple stages including The Avett Brothers, Bettye LaVette, Akron/Family, Justin Townes Earle, Red Stick Ramblers, Michael Hurley, Woody Pines and the Lonesome Two, Silo Circuit, Casual Future, Justin Gordon, Born Ole, Uncle Monk, O'Death, Weed Ghost and more.
HOW MUCH: Weekend pass $50, Friday $20, Saturday $35 and Sunday $20. Call 740-753-1924 (Stuart's Opera House).
WHAT ELSE: Workshops, art vendors, camping, beer garden, local food and kids activities.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.nelsonvillefest.org.
The Second Annual Rock On the Range
WHEN: Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
WHERE: Columbus Crew Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
THE BANDS: Stone Temple Pilots (first performance in more than seven years), also Kid Rock, 3 Doors Down, Disturbed, Staind, Papa Roach, Seether, Serj Tankian, Flyleaf, Shinedown, Killswitch Engage, Finger Eleven, Alter Bridge, Filter, Theory of a Dead Man, Sevendust, Default, 10 Years, Bobaflex, Red and many more.
HOW MUCH: Special two-day tickets, $99.50.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.rockontherange.com.
Del Fest
WHEN: May 23-25
WHERE: Allegany County Fairgrounds, Cumberland, Md.
THE BANDS: A first-time fest, hosted by The Del McCoury Band plus Vince Gill, Keller Williams and The Keels, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Sam Bush, Abigail Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet (featuring Bela Fleck), Punch Brothers with Chris Thile, Railroad Earth, Adrienne Young, Great American Taxi, Emmitt Nershi Band and many others.
HOW MUCH: Three day pass, $135 (through May 19), two-day pass is $120. Kids tickets are $30 (ages 6 to 12).
WHAT ELSE: Intimate workshops, late night stage, band competition, art and crafts fair, family camping and kids area.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.delfest.com.
The 32nd Annual Vandalia Gathering
WHEN: May 23-25
WHERE: The Cultural Center and State Capitol grounds in downtown Charleston, W.Va.
THE BANDS: The state's best traditional musicians such as The Bing Brothers, Kate Long, Jake Krack and many others. Also instrument contests in old-time fiddle, banjo and lap dulcimer competitions, a gospel workshop, as well as the popular Liars Contest.
HOW MUCH: Free and open to the public
WHAT ELSE: The state's annual celebration features traditional arts, music, dance, stories, crafts and food of West Virginia. The free festival's unique blend of ethnic and cultural heritage combines an atmosphere as comfortable as a family reunion with the excitement of a state fair. Enjoy 47 of the state's best crafters and food booths. This year's festival will present two new activities. There will be a "Cakes, Pies and Preserves" contest at 1 p.m. Saturday followed by a "Cake Walk" at 4 p.m. "Down Home Visit" will give festival goers an opportunity to visit with past Vandalia Award winners in an intimate setting.
ON THE WEB: Vandalia Gathering is a program of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Go online at www.wvculture.org. Call 304-558-0220.
The 29th Annual Hookahville
WHEN: Memorial Day weekend - May 24-25.
WHERE: Legend Valley (formerly Buckeye Lake Music Center) in Thornville, Ohio (central Ohio)
THE BANDS: Sam Bush, fan favorite Americana fusion act Railroad Earth and the Emmit/Nershi Band - featuring the lead singers from both the String Cheese Incident and Leftover Salmon. In addition to playing their time-honored two nights, Hookah will also be celebrating the release of "Live at the Newport," a DVD taken from last September's scorching show in Columbus. Also, Outformation, Macpodz, 56 Hope Road, Greensky Bluegrass, Woodbox Gang, Seven, Fat City Reprise, The Werks, Boogie Matrix, The Ragbirds and Stephan Mikes.
HOW MUCH: $65 and available at the gate for $80. Kids 12 and under get in free. There's also a special Kidz Jam area with art, obstacle course and more. Early bird camping with live music is also available for Friday, May 23, at an additional $20 fee with paid festival admission for campers who want first pick at campsite locations. Included in the price of admission are the basic camping necessities with restrooms, drinkable water, a medical tent and handicap accessible camping sites.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.ekoostik.com.
The Seventh Annual Appalachian Uprising
WHEN: June 5-7
WHERE: Eden Valley Farm, Scottown, Ohio (just north of Proctorville)
THE BANDS: Sam Bush Band, The Grascals, The Avett Brothers, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top Express, Steep Canyon Rangers, Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain, Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Steel Drivers, Hillbilly Gypsies, ETA, Jessica Lea Mayfield, One Way Rider and many others.
HOW MUCH: Three-day pass is $90 through June 4, and $100 at the gate. Single-day tickets are $35. Free for children 12 and under with a paying adult.
WHAT ELSE: Arts and craft vendors, food vendors from Lawrence County and from around the region.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.appalachianuprising.net.
Clack Mountain Festival (formerly Bluegrass and More)
WHEN: June 6-7
WHERE: downtown Morehead, Ky.
THE BANDS: Ralph Stanley, SteelDrivers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Clack Mountain String Band
HOW MUCH: $5 and free for children 12 and under
WHAT ELSE: In addition to music, the festival features A Day in the Country Folk Art Show and Sale (www.kyfolkart.org) and Bluegrass Biennial art exhibit. The festival will be staged in downtown Morehead, Ky., close to the Cora Wilson Stewart Moonlight School on First Street. The festival also features Pete Wernick's Jam Camp; cost and other info available at www.drbanjo.com.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.kyfolkart.org and online at www.moreheadstate.edu/kctm.
The 22nd Annual Seedtime on the Cumberland
WHEN: June 10-14
WHERE: Whitesburg, Ky. (southeastern Kentucky)
THE BANDS: Kathy Mattea, Darrell and Wayne Scott, Lee Sexton, and Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Also scheduled to appear are Kentucky Wild Horse, Brett Ratliff and the Clack Mountain String Band, Rich and the Poor Folks, Songs of Coal, and the Cowan Creek Pick and Bow All-Stars.
WHAT ELSE: Seedtime will additionally offer film screenings, picking contests, gallery exhibits, Singing on the Mountain at Indian Bottom, literary readings, a square dance with caller Randy Wilson, a Youth Bored concert, nature hikes and craft and food vendors.
HOW MUCH: While the evening concerts will be ticketed, most of the events are free to the public. $25 advance discount tickets for admission to both Friday and Saturday evening concerts will be available through June 6. Tickets can be obtained by calling 800-838-3006.
HELP OUT: Volunteers will be needed for Seedtime on the Cumberland. Those interested in volunteering can contact Mark Kidd at Appalshop (606-633-0108 or mark@appalshop.org).
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.appalshop.org/seedtime/tickets.html.
The 12th Annual All Good Music Festival and Camp Out
WHEN: July 11-13
WHERE: Marvin's Mountaintop in Masontown, W.Va. (east of Morgantown)
THE BANDS: 35 bands including Phil Lesh and Friends, Widespread Panic, Gov't Mule, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Keller Williams, with Moseley, Droll and Sipe, Derek Trucks, Mike Gordon, Dark Star Orchestra, Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, SOJA, Railroad Earth, The Bridge and many more.
WHAT ELSE: Family camping, kids area, drum circles, microbrews, foods and crafts and much more.
HOW MUCH: Advance tickets $139. Children three and under free. Kids 4 to 12, $60. Over 12, full price. Get tickets at 800-594-TIXX (8499)
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.allgoodfestival.com.
Knockemstiff Fest
WHEN: July 11-13
WHERE: Knockemstiff, Ohio (just outside of Chillicothe, Ohio)
THE BANDS: JB Beverley and the Wayward Drifters (Mount Airy, Md.), Diggity Dave and his Cheap Guitar band ( Abingdon, Va. ), Six Gun Britt (Columbus Ga,) Joseph Christ ( Smoky Mountains, Tenn. ), Slate Dump (West Virginia), Pearls Mahone and the One Eyed Jacks (Highland, Ind.)The Bible Beaters (Portsmouth, Ohio), The Black Knots (Huntington), Little Orphan Anarchy (Columbus) and many more.
HOW MUCH: A donation of $20.
ON THE WEB: Go online at www.myspace.com/ knockemstiffhillbillybash.
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