Floyd, Virginia - For a fourth year in a row, July 29-31 of 2005,
performers from all over the World, and music lovers from all over the country
gather in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia for an
idyllic three-day music and arts Global Gathering.
This summer, no less than six continents will be represented, with musicians coming from as far as Australia, and as close as our own back porch. Committed to Cultural Preservation, the festival succeeds in blending traditions and arts from dozens of different countries every year into a vision of Global Community.
From the hottest acts touring today, to those so exclusive they can only be experienced at FloydFest, this is a home-town festival, with a big industry buzz. Returning from Ghana this year, Floyd’s extended family, the African Showboyz will be accompanied by a whole new 12 member ensemble from their home village of Binaba.
The 15-member Akoya Aftrobeat Ensemble, with direct lineage to Afrobeat godfather Fela Kuti, is bringing members from Benin, Ghana, Japan, Panama, South Africa, and US.
Australia’s Xavier Rudd will be on board, as well as Mariem Hassan from the refugee camps of Saharan Africa.
Raquy and the Cavemen will be spreading rhythms from the Middle East, with members from Israel and the US
Also coming are Bryan Vargas and Ya Está, with members from Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and strong Puerto Rican roots. Swiss bluegrass band, the Kruger Brothers, will be there for good measure.
“2005 will bring an unprecedented level of cultural integration, even for FloydFest”, explains Svetlana Nikic, VP of Communications. “this is likely to be the biggest independent Global Get-down in the US this year”. As if the ambitious lineup above wasn’t enough, sprinkle into the mix one of the countries hottest tour acts, Ani DiFranco; a few Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famers, Hot Tuna; a bluegrass legend, J.D. Crowe; one of Nashville’s hottest songwriters, Jim Lauderdale; and an Americana roots band, Donna The Buffalo.
“Most folks first come to FloydFest because of their loyalty to a particular genre, or a musician, or because of a friend’s recommendation, but they return every year because they discover a sound, a band, a new genre they never would have been exposed to otherwise”, explains co-founder Kris Hodges, “and this need for something fresh, something new, or something re-discovered is addictive – once you experience it, you just can’t settle for less.”
An official stop on the Virginia Heritage Music Trail, FloydFest provides a holistic festival experience with camping, pristine Blue Ridge mountains, and a true sense of community. The festival sports eight performance areas, late-night shows, Arts and Craft Fair featuring regional and international artisans, a delicious food court, as well as local wine and microbrews.
Encouraging attendee participation, there will also be instructional classes on the Workshop Porch, drum and dance workshops at the Global Village, yoga lessons and Healing Arts, and special programs and parade s at everyone’s favorite attraction, the Children's Universe. “It’s a good time of the year to spend with our families”, says co-founder Erika Johnson, “and a good place to be this time of the year, is most definitely FloydFest”.
For more information, visit the Web site www.floydfest.com or contact info@floydfest.com, phone: +1 540.745.FEST.
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050323184701480