[size=+1]SolFest XI[/size] is less than four (4) weeks away at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California. On August 19-20, thousands of people will again turn out for one of the country's most successful and educational events for renewable energy and sustainable living practices. This year's SolFest will be more exciting than ever. We have been busy preparing the site, and are happy to report that we are good to go. A new stage location, redesigned workshop tents, and many other changes will make the event more fun and more pleasant than ever. And what a great music lineup we have! Headlining the show will be the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience. For more than 40 years, mandolinist/composer David Grisman has inspired a whole new genre of acoustic string instrumental music. David has recorded and produced dozens of critically acclaimed recordings of acoustic music, five of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards. Additional musical acts include Vince Herman, New Monsoon, Hot Buttered Rum, and more. GREAT SPEAKERS! Of course, world-class music is just one of many reasons to come to SolFest. Great speakers and workshops are just as important to many of you. We will have five workshop areas this year with over 50 workshops, covering topics from renewable energy and post- petroleum preparation to yoga and health. There is truly something for everyone at SolFest. Perhaps most exciting is the incredible lineup of panels and speakers on our main stage. You can hear the latest news in alternative fuels, with experts discussing pros and cons of biodiesel, hydrogen, ethanol and electric vehicles. Experts will update you on the latest breakthroughs in solar and renewable energy technologies and policy. And keynoting on the main stage will be national political commentator Jim Hightower, often called "America's most popular populist." Don't miss him! In addition to Jim, this year you will also hear Ed Begley, Jr., Caroline Casey, Betsy Rosenberg, John Francis, and Deborah Koons Garcia.
Definately worth going too. I went to the first one when I still lived just a bit north of Hopland in Garberville.
I just got back from Solfest. Saturday with Grisman was excellent. Saturday's closer just rocked the house. Alma Meodisoa was the band. The sound engineer running the monitor board went onto the stage and used a microphone to encourage the crowd to ask for an encore. Sound men ususaly want the show to end so they can go home, but he was having such a good time he wanted them to play more. Great show.
I saw Grisman for the first and only time at a small bluegrass fest in Ohio back in June. He did a great set, but the crowd was a bit puzzled that he did such a short set, maybe 30 or 40 minutes, I would guess. Great music, but just not enough of it.
I was at Solfest and I agree that his set was just a little to short (1more song, please!) and i though his closer lacked some punch. But seeing him play was a privlage.
At the festival we attended (at which Grisman played), there was a young guy who was only 14, I think, and who was really great on mandolin; he and his father play together as an act called "County Line 2." That kid was everywhere, jammin' with everyone, and it was kewl to see. I ran across photos of David Grisman jammin' with the kid too, probably in the house behind the stage. If Grisman cut short his set just to make sure he had time to jam with that dude, then I applaud Grisman and happily accept a relatively short (but let me say once again, very EXCELLENT) set. Anyways, the photo is at http://www.appalachianuprising.net/files/18654979.JPG
Grisman jammed in the green room for about an hour before going on. Which might explain him stopping on time.
