With the recent passing of Michael Jackson, and the global outpour of emotion that followed, I was reminded of how music connects us to one another and some of the most important moments of our lives.
One of the first songs I ever remember hearing was Jackson’s energetic rendition of
“Rockin’ Robin.” I was probably just learning to walk when it came out in 1972 and, as children do when hearing music, started shakin’ my booty to the beat.
Music has touched every aspect of my life and brings back memories of some of my most precious moments: Racing home to catch Jackson‘s
“Thriller” video in 1983, which MTV aired at specific times for weeks so that people had a chance to see it; grooving with my coolest friends to
Blues Traveler at a
Horde Tour Concert at Darien Lake; falling in love with the
Grateful Dead in my best friend’s bedroom; dancing with my nephew to
Bette Midler’s “I’m Beautiful”; watching my sister fall in love with the music of my favorite band -
Michael Franti & Spearhead - at a concert at Ithaca’s
State Theatre; spending the most relaxing weekend of jam-packed music with the best of friends at several
Grassroots festivals in Trumansburg.
You can make your own special memories at the
2009 Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance, kicking off Thursday at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds on Route 96, 10 miles north of Ithaca.
I’ve always loved this groovefest - which features four days of a phenomenal array of music ranging from funk and soul to gospel, country, cajun country, Jamaican music, folk, Latin and so much more.
This year’s concert features one of my favorite new finds,
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Jones’s sassy, soulful voice makes you feel her sweet agony as she belts out stories of love that hurts so good to the rhythms of one of the best funk and blues bands ever heard. I learned about Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings from a friend. The same one who introduced me to Spearhead.
My friend has seen her in concert, and she left an impression. So much so that he convinced me to buy three albums:
“100 Days, 100 Nights,” “Dap-dippin’ with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings,” and
“Naturally ... ”. Some of the best money I’ve ever spent.
They’re playing
at 10 p.m. Friday on the Infield Stage, and definitely worth seeing.
You should also catch the spirit of the
Flying Clouds, a raucous gospel group guaranteed to get the crowd rockin’ when they perform
Friday and Saturday.
Donna the Buffalo, J-San & the Analog Sons, The Talktomes, Rusted Root and
The Gunpoets are only a few of the great acts you should check out throughout the fest. Plus, don’t miss a chance to catch the fine dance art of
Galumpha Saturday. There is no better place to be this week.
Get your tickets today for $95. They go up to $110 Thursday through Sunday at-the-gate.
If you don’t want to travel that far away and you like country boys,
Trace Adkins will bring his swagger to
Tag’s, Route 352 in Big Flats.
HEADS UP:* The
10th annual Musefest is set for Aug. 28 through 30 at Newharts Lodge near Ithaca. The festival of music and dance features a diverse collection of performers including Thousands of One, The Spelunkers, Mutron Warriors and Blue Sky Mission Club.
