2013 - Year Two Plans
This year we're doing some of the same and a little bit that's new.
Of course, our goals remain as they ever were: to remember Joe Strummer: to promote and improve the indie music scene; and to raise funds for our supported suicide-prevention charities. But our format is changing.
Year Two will still see multiple venues operating simultaneously, but early enough to allow not just one but two ticketed main-stage shows to stand alone.
Up to a half-dozen acoustic-focussed "Coffee Houses" in and around Kitchener's centre core will get started around 6 p.m. and run till around 8:45 p.m.. showcasing 3 to 4 acts per location. (One of those will also host a VIP Event, which will be at a special price for the night and start out with a "press party".) Ending at 8:45 p.m. gives everyone time to get over the one or the other of our two main-stages that start about 9 p.m.
Main-stage "A" - the main event - will be at Cork Hall (over top McCabe's on King Street in the heart of downtown). There, 5 stellar, fully charged acts will take to the stage to take us deep into the night. Confirmed for the Main-Stage A are The Baudelaires, SFH, The Wormwood Scrubs, Eamon McGrath, and two more bands to be announced. At the same time, over at Molly Blooms on Manitou, we'll host Main-Stage "B" with a set of excellent local cover bands playing music from a variety of eras, including the phenomenal young band, The 7's and 9's..
If possible, we will also include a second "Strum-Art Show," with new entries, and screenings of Strummer-related films. But first things first.
The biggest change in our format for this year has been the inauguration of "Strummerfest presents" pre-festival shows. Each pre-festival concert has represented different aspects of Joe Strummer's musical legacy and influences:
Of course, our goals remain as they ever were: to remember Joe Strummer: to promote and improve the indie music scene; and to raise funds for our supported suicide-prevention charities. But our format is changing.
Year Two will still see multiple venues operating simultaneously, but early enough to allow not just one but two ticketed main-stage shows to stand alone.
Up to a half-dozen acoustic-focussed "Coffee Houses" in and around Kitchener's centre core will get started around 6 p.m. and run till around 8:45 p.m.. showcasing 3 to 4 acts per location. (One of those will also host a VIP Event, which will be at a special price for the night and start out with a "press party".) Ending at 8:45 p.m. gives everyone time to get over the one or the other of our two main-stages that start about 9 p.m.
Main-stage "A" - the main event - will be at Cork Hall (over top McCabe's on King Street in the heart of downtown). There, 5 stellar, fully charged acts will take to the stage to take us deep into the night. Confirmed for the Main-Stage A are The Baudelaires, SFH, The Wormwood Scrubs, Eamon McGrath, and two more bands to be announced. At the same time, over at Molly Blooms on Manitou, we'll host Main-Stage "B" with a set of excellent local cover bands playing music from a variety of eras, including the phenomenal young band, The 7's and 9's..
If possible, we will also include a second "Strum-Art Show," with new entries, and screenings of Strummer-related films. But first things first.
The biggest change in our format for this year has been the inauguration of "Strummerfest presents" pre-festival shows. Each pre-festival concert has represented different aspects of Joe Strummer's musical legacy and influences:
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Ska'ncert, May 31, at the Edelweiss Tavern, featured the ska and reggae stylings of The Bosswich, The Baudelaires and Prince Perry & The Gladtones;
The Wormwood Scrubs' "Stay Free" Show, Sept. 27, at Little Bean Coffee Bar, offered eclectic rock by the headliners (The Wormwood Scrubs) along with opening band, Under Pressure, making its reunion performance; Redemption Songs - Songs of Heart and Soul, Oct. 4, at Little Bean Coffee Bar, featured meaningful, sometimes mellow, and mostly acoustic melodies by singer-songwriters, Sean Stokholm, Skarni and The David Clifton Company (David Clifton, Hannah Clifton and Kyle Miller). |