The Healthy Hippie Magazine

Greensky Bluegrass at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT

2012-01-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

When I checked out the music calendar for the Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington, VT and I saw that Greensky Bluegrass were going to be playing there I did a little dance of joy. Who am I kidding? I ran around my house shouting woohoo at the top of my lungs. Why did I do that? There is such a big beautiful buzz around this band I couldn't wait for January 21 to come so I could enjoy them live and in real life. I don't know how many of you have been to the small room at Higher Ground before, but if you have you would know that the lighting isn't that awesome. There are redish lights that light up the band and don't change for the duration of the show. That is one thing that I don't like about seeing bands in that room. Well...Greensky Bluegrass brought one sick light show with them. I understand they just hired a light guy and I am giving him a fist bump, a hand shake and a butt squeeze because he killed it. I can't wait for the time when Greensky gets to play big rooms and you can mark my words...that time is not far off.

I know that we don't go to see a band specifically for their light show so let's move on. Something I found refreshing about Greensky Bluegrass was their story telling abilities. Some musicians talk during their shows and you are kind of like, "shut up and play already!" That was not the case with this band. The way they talked to us really brought us into their worlds and made us feel that we were important. The guitarist told a story about how he was jumping from the rafters at a previous show because he got so excited and got hurt. That was the reason he was sitting down and playing during the show. We all sent him feel better vibes and I could tell that it worked:)

I also know that we don't go to see a band because of their story telling abilities. We go for the music. If you like music then you will love this band and who doesn't like music? Their original songs kick ass which makes sense because when a band is comprised of extremely talented musicians that have fabulous chemistry of course they are going rock...and rock our socks off they did. They had the sold out crowd dancing their cold Vermont asses off just as hard to their original songs as they did to some fine covers such as Prince's Little Red Corvette and Paul Simon's Gumboots.

To sum it up, this bands rules the school and beyond and they are going places. It won't be long before they are playing large rooms and selling out so don't miss out on your chance to see them up close and personal. Check out their tour schedule, listen to some music and buy some merch at

www.greenskybluegrass.com

Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Fest: Fun For the Whole Family

2011-11-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

To see a full gallery of photos by Jayme Halbritter Photography click here!

The sunshine we had ordered up was delivered right on schedule. The hammock had been hung. Our bodies deposited snugly inside were gently swaying to the strum of Mike West’s guitar and Katie Euliss’s old-timey croon and bucket bass. Their sounds blended together to cook up the bluegrassy vaudevillian punk rock jambalaya known as Truckstop Honeymoon. As I peeked over the edge of my swinging cocoon I was surprised to see a rainbow colored community of tree dwellers had quickly formed, surrounding us in three-tiered splendor. We were interested to learn that our fellow arbor loving companions belonged to a group from Tulsa, Oklahoma called Let’s Hang! They were incredibly friendly, inviting us to look them up if we were ever in Tulsa and laughingly suggested that we start a Minneapolis chapter of the group. The good weather, beautiful location, great music, hammocks, and friends new and old all added up to a very enjoyable experience at Yonder Mountain Harvest Festival.

For the 2^nd year in a row, Yonder Mountain String Band energetically hosted and headlined the 6^th Annual Harvest Music Festival at the beautiful Mulberry Mountain Lodge and Events Center in the heart of the Ozark National Forest of Arkansas October 13-16, 2011. This 650 acre playground is capable of not only sustaining large festivals such as Wakarusa with its estimated attendance of 20,000 to Harvest Festival’s more intimate 7,500 capacity, but is also an outdoor recreationalist’s dream destination for fishing, hiking, disc golfing, canoeing, ATV and horse trails. The rugged beauty of this location is aptly paired with an equally entrancing and lively lineup of some of the best pickin’ musicians in the folk, bluegrass and americana scene today.

As we wandered through the gently falling sun dappled autumn leaves, an expertly picked line of melody wove a delicate path through the trees and into our eagerly awaiting ears. This was the Ozarks at its finest. Besides 3 foot-stomping nights of Yonder Mountain String Band, this year’s lineup included dance-inducing and awe inspiring acts by the likes of Railroad Earth, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, 7 Walkers featuring Papa Mali and Bill Kreutzman, Cornmeal, Trampled by Turtles, Todd Snider, Great American Taxi, Mountain Sprout, Elephant Revival, Dirtfoot, and Split Lip Rayfield among many others.

Rock the Earth, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, national public interest environmental advocacy organization committed to the protection of America's natural resources through partnerships with the music industry, started off the festival on Wednesday along with river-rafting experts Turner Bend and the Shimon Presents Work Exchange Team to lead a "River & Road Cleanup.” Conscious Alliance also joined in on the greening and community efforts by conducting an "Art That Feeds" Food Drive to benefit the River Valley Regional Food Bank (Fort Smith, AR), which was used to provide food to nearby residents recently displaced by tornadoes earlier this summer. Conscious Alliance, a Boulder, CO-based national 501(c)(3) non-profit, operates through ongoing, grassroots food collection and hunger awareness programs throughout the United States, primarily by organizing food drives at concerts and music events.

Also adding to the charm and delight of this festival was The Roost Family and Children’s Area and Music Stage. Each day was greeted with a namaste as children and adults alike were led in a morning yoga session, followed by planned daily workshops which included interactive art, drum circles, meditation, hoola hooping and poi lessons, glass blowing, environmental responsibility workshops, and pickin’ competitions. There was also a stage in the area showcased many musical genres including rock, jam, funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae and children’s music. Many of the activities were led by Quixotic Fusion School of Performing Arts, a sister company of Quixotic Fusion and the Vibe Tribe of Kansas City.

The Roost was also the destination where you could get up close and personal to learn tricks of the trade during workshops put on by many of the amazing musicians who performed at this year’s festival. A special Q & A was held with members of Railroad Earth, a songwriting workshop with Elephant Revival, That One Guy revealed his magic, Cornmeal and Greensky explained how they turn a rock cover into a bluegrass song, and Bela Fleck enchanted us with his lightening fast fingers on the banjo.

Some of my favorite moments of the festival included getting an intimate look into Bela Fleck’s mind during his workshop at The Roost Stage, and seeing him perform with Victor Wooten and the Flecktones on The Main Stage. During his workshop, Bela wove banjo licks, stories and advice into a beautiful musical tapestry. I was interested to learn that he does his warm up to the classical music of Bach, a wonder to hear when played upon the strings of the banjo. Usually a quick paced song is selected, unless he is feeling tired and a slower but equally technically challenging Bach piece is used. He also explained that he does his warm up standing rather than sitting because most of his performances are done standing up, logically reasoning that all the angles change depending on the position of the body. When practicing, he breaks down the tunes and isolates the trouble spots. Most people, when they practice, play the parts they are already good at over and over, but his advice is to “practice the stuff you’re not good at and don’t lose heart. Don’t be afraid to go slow. Embrace slow, slow is what makes fast good.” He also reminds us to breathe, often writing the word “breathe” in his manuscripts every few measures. At times when he feels like he is sucking and struggling to get through a piece of music, he’ll get to the end and realize that he had been holding his breath. He also warns of the dangers of using caffeine before a performance, which can only lead to increased nervousness. He ended the workshop with a haunting piece of music he learned while traveling and filming the documentaryThrow Down Your Heart – Bela Fleck Brings the Banjo Back to Africa, which he described as “taking a calculus exam that went on for a month.” At the end of the month, he confessed that he didn’t know what had happened. Reflecting upon the musicians he played with in Africa, Bela excitedly said, “I got home and listened to the tapes and it sounded amazing, mostly because they were amazing!”

Another highlight of my experience was learning new tricks and making new friends while at the hoola hoop workshop led by Miss Conception and other members of the Vibe Tribe KC. While there I met an adorable little girl in a green tutu named Josie. She sassily informed me in her infectious southern accent that she had made her own hoop and proceeded to demonstrate all the fabulous tricks she knew how to do, giving me pint sized pointers as she swung her tiny hips from side to side. When I found her she looked little blue. When I asked what was wrong, she stated, “that woman has my hula hoop!” After rescuing her hoop, I hugged her and kindly thanked her for the lesson as Mom thanked me for helping to end a particularly dramatic moment in her day.

Besides being wowed by Bela Fleck and Victor Wooten, I discovered many other amazing bands that I had not yet heard of. Of particular interest, Matthew and the Atlas from London, England were currently on a 20 date US tour, spreading their lovely Brit-icana sound from coast to coast. It was a welcomed change from the foot-stomping bluegrass that permeated most of the stages thus far and led me to stop and stare in awe. The music was entrancingly, achingly beautiful and felt as it had seeped from the pores of my very own skin, breaking out to tell a story that I have lived a million times in the unique but familiar sounding gravel-filled voice of Matthew Hagerty. I am eagerly looking forward to catching them one more time at First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis this November along with another of my favorites from this year’s festival, The David Mayfield Parade.

A fair amount of respect between musicians was noted as legends and mentors all joined in on a stage-sharing game of musical chairs. Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String Band gave a special acknowledgment of gratitude and awe to the masters he had looked up to his entire musical career with whom he now had the honor to share a stage with. How inspiring it was to witness as these amazing musical craftsmen all played together, sharing their skill, passions, and wildest dreams. The love and talent could be felt coming from the stage in waves of color, sound, and light as we did our best to take it all in, letting it flow through our bodies and out through our tapping toes, creating new dance steps we could only have dreamed of.

Links

http://www.yondermountain.com/

http://www.yonderharvestfestival.com/

http://www.truckstophoneymoon.com/

http://www.rocktheearth.org/joomla/

http://omfchange.com/conscious-alliance/

http://www.facebook.com/quixoticfusionschool

http://www.facebook.com/VibeTribeKC?sk=wall

http://www.throwdownyourheart.com/

http://matthewandtheatlas.com/

http://thedavidmayfieldparade.com/

http://first-avenue.com/

______________________________

Article by Wendy O'Sunshine

Jayme Halbritter Photography

1224 Quincy St. N.E., Studio 245

Minneapolis, MN 55413

www.jaymehalbritter.com

Wendy's Experience at Wanderlust Tahoe

2011-09-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Wonderful World of Wanderlust....

Wanderlust is a Yoga/Music festival that is becoming a movement. The main festivals are happening in Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, and Vermont. Wanderlust is like a trip to a health candy store for conscious yoga and fun lovers of all ages from around the globe. At Wanderlust there are endless classes to choose from, taught by you from your favorite yoga teachers or teachers you’ve always wanted to study with. Your class may just be outside with fresh air and amazing views of the majestic snow peaked mountains as your Dristi. (Yogic Focal point for non yogi readers) You can share this class with 600 other great energy yogis with musicians like Michael Franti, Mc Yogi or Dj Drez playing or spinning live to you. This experience is like nothing else out there in the yoga world. Its fresh, its fun, and feels like a new wave coming up in the yoga world.

I got Wanderlust in my blood last year when I attended. The yoga roster is stellar, with an equally impressive music line up.
I am now a Wanderlust junkie. I know where ever it is, I will be. One thing I will never forget about my first experience with Wanderlust was the people who were there. They looked like they were glowing. It’s so refreshing to be in a group of people who look vibrantly alive, joyful and happy. Here people have found a place to be totally themselves, get re-energized and revitalized while having an absolute blast.

As a 25 year yoga studio owner, I find in wanderlust a refuge. A place I can go and study with some of the best yoga teachers of our time. Not only great teachers, but fresh fun and out of the box instructors. Which is so refreshing.

This is the exact outcome desired for Wanderluster’s. In an interview with Wanderlust co-founder Schuyler Grant; Grant states “I think of Wanderlust as a filling station, I want people to leave juiced up and inspired, both physically, intellectually and with pleasure.” (I found Wanderlust absolutely fulfilled on all of those accounts.) Grant emphasizes the importance of taking care of yourself and keeping yourself feeling good. She says “you can’t do good if you don’t feel good.” Schuyler further emphasizes “we can get so ‘tapped and sucked dry‘ it’s so important to do what you need to do to fill up and keep you psyched as a mom, a partner, a yoga teacher, or whatever you do.” She wants Wanderlust to do that for people.

Schuler, also the founder Kula Yoga Project is dedicated to ensuring that Wanderlust offers the highest caliber of teachers. Her husband and co-founder Jeff Krasno is in charge of the awesome music at Wanderlust. Jeff worked for RCA Records before co-founding Velour Music Group, (a record label and artist management company). Wanderlust is in partnership with C3 Presents who are the creators of Lollapalooza. This partnership of “yogis meet - big time music world” was a great blend making this event immensely fun and extremely well run.

Another inspiration I am left with came from my time spent at Wanderlust with renowned Yogi Jonny Kest. In our interview Kest’s humanness and passion for vegetarianism and family shines thru. Kest is a true real family man and is frequently seen after during and after class carrying his daughter on his shoulders. During the interview he politely stepped away to change a diaper. (Being the mom of a four year old, I absolutely loved that). Kest says that his wife and family are what lights him up, and inspires him, you could really see this.

The Kest family are devout vegan’s passionate about animals and their treatment. During a class I attended taught by Kest he asked “now you all have worked up a big appetite you are hungry. If you had a dead chicken in one hand, and fresh fruit and vegetables in your other hand which would your rather bite into? Just use common sense, what would nourish you more?” A powerful question for all of us. His wife Milla and children choose not to eat animals and dairy as a matter of kindness. Milla says it is a shame how cruel humans can be to the animals. They follow the “World Peace Diet.”

You can see that Kest is a truly grounded person which he credits his daily practice of Vippasana meditation. Kest recently sold his yoga studios to Lifetime fitness a publicly traded company. They have over 100 locations. Getting authentically trained yoga teachers into over 100 locations is a pretty good move to increasing the quality of yoga delivered. This will surely set a higher standard for “gym yoga”.

Kest’s conscious and mindful way’s of living in the world was a consistent theme at the festival. Wanderlust organizers took great lengths (and costs) to reduce the impact of the 16,000 attendees gathering. Composting, sourcing food from local producers and farms, providing free filling stations were just some of ways Wanderlust showed its environmentally conscious side. They joined forces with zero hero

The “Perfect” day at Wanderlust

If yoga just isn’t your thing... there are plenty of other things to keep you busy happy and “juiced” at Wanderlust. You can play with acro yoga, hooping, and slack lining (or just hanging at the pool watching the slack-liners). If you feel so inclined, you can even try your luck at “circus camp”, where you can play in the free form zone. There are expert practitioners who are more then happy to teach you a trick or two. They even teach you various forms of circus arts including juggling, ariel dance. I saw some of the most incredible naturally athletic and talented bodies doing remarkable things!!!

Having tried Areal fabric and finding it incredibly beautiful but slightly out of my reach. I was excited to find “Fly Inspiration” created by Karen Andes it is a soft stretchy hanging apparatus for designed for yoga, fitness, rehab, and circus training.” With this apparatus I was able to get inverted with no stress on my body it feels amazing and is so much fun.

Wanderlust is a great opportunity to unplug from the world for a few days to become one with nature, be surrounded by immense beauty and inspiration. You can pick your speed, from practicing your butt off, to doing nothing but hanging out in the sun, eating good healthy food and listening to great music. Either way wanderlust will leave a “juiced” and happier person better equipped to take on and “do good” in your little slice of the world.

Written By:

Wendy Gross-Pinto

Founder and Creatrix

Peace and Blessings

YogaAndHealingcenter.com

Photos By:

Dana PhotoZen Nollsch

PhotoZen Website

Day 3!

2011-09-19T07:11:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the final day of the festival, but we tried to put that out of our minds and set out to enjoy the day. I think this was the hottest day yet (music and temperature!).

More bands today we discovered include
MilkDrive, Seth Walker, Yellow Ostrich, Pernikoff Brothers, Nick 13, and Empire of the Sun.

The bands known to us who we saw were The Airborn Toxic Event, The Head and The Heart (pictured on the right), Joseph Arthur, Elbow, Fleet Foxes, Social Distortion, and Arcade Fire!

Aunt Debbie enjoying the music in sweltering heat!

We made a new friend, Dennis Ayotte, a reporter. and photographer. We spent a lot of time chatting with him in the Media tent, and he gave us some tips since we are newbies! He also gave us some insight on some new and upcoming bands who we will be looking for!

Check out his report of ACL at Laprensasa.com! He also has a blog called I Have MAN(y) Issues, so check that out as well!

So then it was time to go and it was a little sad, but we have awesome memories of discovering so many bands we've never heard of and will look up and follow in the future.

What a great festival Austin City Limits is. It's all anyone talks about anywhere you go in the city of Austin. Everyone is so proud of it, and what a great city Austin is. We loved it!!! We hope we can return next year and do it all again!

Thank you for reading this blog!

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Todd :)

Day 2!

2011-09-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

Day 2 brought more rain for a little bit...there must be something about the festival and rain! Texas is in a drought...hopefully some of this rain will help.

Today brought more bands we never heard of before, including Twin Shadow, Cowboy & Indian, Federico Aubele, The Antlers, and Patrice Pike. There is so much talent in Austin this weekend!

More well known bands we heard included Iron & Wine and My Morning Jacket, two of my favorites! Oh, and I can't forget City and Colour, one of my son's favorites and I love them too. Stevie Wonder also performed.

AUSTIN KIDDIE LIMITS:

77 Kids by American Eagle:

This is an organization which gets kiddies all rock starred out -- hair, makeup, costumes. The kids looked so excited as they were getting glitter in their hair and major doses of hair spray! They then they jam out with karaoke and are given a free DVD of their awesome performance! Here is a pic of the kids getting all decked out by the volunteers doing hair and makeup!

Alex's Lemonade Stand: For pediatric cancer research...such a great cause!

Tag a Kid: No child will get lost here!

Rock & Recycle:

People attending the festival volunteer to collect cans and bottles on the ground, and if you fill up a bag you get entered into a drawing to win a new bike!

Here is one of the many recycling piles at the end of the night. There are so many volunteers who keep Zilker Park clean for all the festival guests!

Day 1

2011-09-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Today was Day #1 at Austin City Limits and we took it a little slow...this was our first festival ever! Here I am (Aunt Debbie) enjoying the fan misters on this pretty sweltering day, although it was down to 93 from the 103 of yesterday! A big gust of wind blew my hair out of control as Uncle Todd took the picture!

It was nice to be treated extra special in the Media area. This included being able to charge up my cell phone and Porta-Potties which had sinks with running water! I have no fear of the Porta-Potties anymore!

A miracle happened...it rained! Texas is in the middle of a long drought, there are wildfires, and it's dangerous! The festival brought some much needed raindrops and excellent music!

It was great to experience some unknown bands (to us, at least)... we saw An Horse, Reptar, Bobby Long, The Cave Singers, Pretty Lights, and Sara Bareilles, and then the known bands
(to us) - Ray LaMontagne, Bright Eyes, and Coldplay! It was a super hot day, and these bands made it even hotter!

Many of the people running the show are volunteers. It is amazing how many people are available to assist us to find our way, picking up garbage, and making sure everyone has a safe and fun day.

Our sons have given us a list of bands for which they would like shirts...so I guess tomorrow will include a little bit of shopping!

Tomorrow I plan to visit some of the booths...I will be working hard to find some entertaining info to share :)

Austin is a friendly place!

2011-09-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Such a friendly town is Austin that as we were making our way from bar to bar, we bumped into a chatty cab driver who gave us a quick drive during the day named Artie. He was so excited to see us and offered to buy us drinks at a bar with a blues band that had no customers but loud music, as we struggled to hear his tale of his girlfriend in Oklahoma whom we never met. Although we enjoyed his company, and the beer was good, cold, and delicious, it couldn't go down fast enough so would could bid Artie adieu so we could be on our way and continue our journey. After all, we do have a little festival to attend tomorrow!

2011-09-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of us at our first Healthy Hippie Event in Austin - This was a launch for Muve Music from Cricket at Maggie Mae's. Cricket has the first wireless plan with unlimited music! They offer unlimited nationwide talk, text, web, and MUSIC for $65.00 per month. Go play with one today! Uncle Todd sure thought it was cool! P.S. Notice our media tags...we felt famous! So now I know how my niece Taraleigh feels at all times!

Next stop was dinner at Stubb's Barbecue for some fantastic authentic Texas BBQ.

Live music was next on the agenda, so we went to Friends Bar on 6th Street. We loved that we got carded so they are #1!!!! The band Swamp Sauce has a funny name but they were awesome!

One more stop at Chuggin' Monkey. I knew I loved this band when they started playing Ozzy Ozbourne and then Santana. Now I was told the singer/band was John Travis; however, i can't find any info on him! This band was the best I've heard so far in Austin! Another plus, they had a huge TV with the Yankee game in full view!

Now tomorrow we are taking a Healthy Hippie break, but Friday kicks off the Austin City Limits Music Festival that we've been waiting for! So stay tuned!

Healthy Hippie Reps, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Todd

2011-09-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

The Healthy Hippie's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Todd!

Austin, Texas

2011-09-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi HH Fans---Just a quick note to say--- Hello...I am Aunt Debbie, Taraleigh's aunt...i am here in Austin, Texas getting ready for the Austin City Limits Music Festival this weekend. Taraleigh's Uncle Todd is my assistant who will be holding my pad and pen! He's also my favorite husband! I may not be as young as Tara, but I am enthusiastic and love music! Be on the lookout for my contribution to the HH Blog!

Interview: Harry Moran from Gathering of the Vibes

2011-07-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

Harry Moran is the Sustainability & Outreach Director for the Gathering of the Vibes. He's responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring all onsite greening programs as well as ongoing Vibe Tribe eco-awareness efforts. Additionally, Harry oversees the Sustainability Village, which showcases 15 non-profit organizations involved with critical environmental, community and social action initiatives.The newly expanded series of Green Vibes workshops are the cornerstone of onsite efforts to share useful and actionable information on a range of sustainability-themed topics.Harry is also responsible for overseeing the event's community outreach efforts, including various fundraising efforts for community organizations. The annual Terrapin Foundation Food Drive continues to be a key part of the event's outreach work and hopes to collect over 10,000 pounds of food from attendees to re-stock Bridgeport-area food pantries.

HH- I love that Gathering of the Vibes has been and is continuing to go green. Let's go step by step and discuss the challenges and triumphs that go along with all aspects of a festival that is going green! Last time we spoke we talked a lot about solar power and the pros and cons of that when powering a stage. Now that it's two years later what has the best way been and what are you doing now?

Harry- In terms of solar power we are still being challenged by the limitations and the financial realities of it. There are very few solar stage options out there that can provide the level of power that we need to power a world class stage so we don't have very many options. We are still working on finding something that makes sense for that. What we typically do is we are run power off of generators which are large scale commercial ones. The power has to be clean and stable because of the expensive sound equiptment we use otherwise it's dangerous.

HH- If you did it in a way that was all solar and the sound came in and out the fans would be upset.

Harry- Yes. Also we have big bands under contract that expect that their sound will work flawlessly so we have to make sure that happens.

HH- It sounds like something that not only Vibes is working on for the future but the solar power providers too. They need to make solar power more accessible so makes sense financially and environmentally.

Harry- Exactly. It's on-going and we are constantly exploring options.

HH- What are the ways you offset Gathering of the Vibes' carbon footprint?

Harry- Last year we had an offset program in place where we actually received a donation of renuable energy credits that offset all of our onsite electric usage from our generators and grid power. There are others aspects to our footprint like people's transportation.

HH- Yes speaking about that, this year my husband and I decided to cut down our carbon footprint a little by traveling to Vibes with Gary on the Solar Bus. Are you making it easy for other people to find rides to the festival?

Harry- We have a lot of ride sharing posts on our message boards which make it very easy for people to find rides. Another big thing we do is to encourage people to use public transportation. We are near bus, train and ferry stops so we have quiet a few people come from NYC and Long Island.

HH- I saw that there was a late night bus that goes to NYC each night after the show.

Harry- Yes. We want it to be the easiest way possible for people to come to the festival without bringing individual vehicles. It is not only good for the environment, but parking 25,000 cars is not really doable. People need to get creative and figure out ways to travel together and I feel that every year there is more and more ride sharing.

HH- Everyone wins!!! Next...let's talk composting. Last year I saw that it was required of the vendors to have compostable cups, plates and utensils. I heard that is not the case this year. Could you explain to me why.

Harry- Yes. This is a great way to examine the pros and cons of what we deal with. With the compostable cups, plates and utensils from last year, we gathered a tremendous amount of compost which we shipped to a farm. One of the problems we ran into was we had to find a farm big enough to accept this amount of compostable material. We had to go with a farm that was really far away from the event and truck it there. We know that composting is so important, but we took away the benefit by trucking it so far away. We couldn't find a local farm big enough for our volume so at this point we put the composting side of the program on hold. We added more stipulations to our recycling program like switching over to recyclable cups that are made from recycled materials. We are continueing to do the same things we have done in the past with Clean Vibes like gathering all the plastic and aluminum recycling.

HH- I love how Vibes isn't worried about looking green, but actually being green and doing what is best.

Harry- When you look under the surface it gets more complicated. It's like buying organic food from California or local food that may not be certified organic. The local option is usually better. We are really trying. We look at the actual impact on what we do.

HH- This year my husband and I are speaking on "Living the Good Life" between bands on the Green Vibes stage. Can you tell me why you decided to do this, what speakers you are looking forward to and what topics they will be speaking on.

Harry- One of the things we are most proud of are the Green Vibes workshops which are running on the speaker platform next to the Green Vibes stage Friday-Sunday. We have an amazing range of speakers and we're covering everything from local and sustainable food to health and nutrition to campus sustainability. One thing we added to the mix is our first speaker on Friday morning is going to be speaking about lyme disease and hepatitis c. We also have a kids and teens program where a group of the kids will come over from the kid's tent and teen scene and share what they have been working on. Another talk we are very excited about is by the Rex Foundation on Saturday called "The World as it May Be" which is a celebration of the universal decloration of human rights hosted by David Gans. We also have a talk about the future of green cars and alternative transportation by Jim Motavalie who is a contributor to the NY Times, author and radio host. He is a world class authority on this topic and we are so fortunate to have him with us. There is also a talk about the Saving the Sound which is a topic near and dear to our hearts since the Vibes takes place on the Long Island Sound. We will be having a green building workshop too so people can learn how to green their home. It's going to be a lot of fun and everyone is so excited to speak and it's all such important work.

HH- Thank you so much! This was so informative and it is getting me even more excited to go to Vibes this year!!

Harry- See you there.

Experiencing Wanderlust by Casey and Journey

2011-07-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

The HH Crew traveled to Stratton Mountain Resort in Bondsville, VT to experience Wanderlust Vermont and what an experience it was. Casey Webster and Suzanne Journey Blain went along for the ride of a lifetime and here is what they thought of the fantastic Wanderlust Festival.

Casey Webster's Story

For me, Wanderlust was an experience that started before the actual experience. I saw a poster for it months ago and proclaimed "This is where I want to be in June!" This was a crazy idea, seeing how I had just moved into an apartment that was a bit beyond my means and was in the midst of launching a new business that required a great deal of my time. However, I have been focusing my attention on manifesting the experience that I desire and trusting that things happen as they should. Just a week before the show, a friend (Taraleigh of HH Magazine) asked me to be her "date" for the event! Woooohoooo!!! Mission accomplished! Then, after all was arranged, I had car trouble. Once again, I was challenged to create the experience that I desired. In an uncharacteristically cool way, I decided to admit that I couldn't drive and open to the possibilities of getting there some other way. I'm SO glad that I did!

I could probably recount each minute of the entire weekend, complete with delicious menus, inspiring class titles and pauses for either introspection or full bellied laughter, but instead, I will just tell you what Wanderlust did for me. It renewed my spirit...and my faith in the human spirit. Each day I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone and release both my judgment and my inhibitions- whether by burlesque dancers, unusually direct and down to earth yoga instructors or my own willingness to show up in the world a little different...a little more real and down to earth kind of way. Being surrounded by great people is not a new experience for me; I am blessed to share my earthwalk with amazing friends. Even still, being surrounded by an almost overwhelming amount of conscious, beautiful people sharing in a similar intention - evolving- was both inspiring and profound. I shed tears of joy each day...several times a day. Wanderlust has a very special place in my heart. I have already proclaimed that "this is where I want to be again next year." I trust that it will be so, and it will be great!

Suzanne Journey Blain's Story

It’s rare for many of us to take a minute – let alone a whole day or weekend – to “check in” with our bodies, minds, long term goals, passions etc. and to be real with ourselves. Wanderlust was an expensive walk into utter relaxation and refreshment for the body and soul. East coast yogis and yoginis came together with a sense of family and connectedness. It’s quite an anomaly to be treated with respect and gentleness by complete strangers in this busy world of non-stop work and to-do lists.

The teachers were continual students who seemed to blend and switch roles often. The attendees were very self-aware and seemingly came from upper and middle class incomes and backgrounds. Good intentions despite privilege were easily sensed and one could find non-profits being supported in intentional buying and eating choices all around.

It was fun to find out that my local teachers are on par in skill and knowledge as many of the “name brand” yoga teachers. But it was also apparent as to why some of these teachers have become nationally and internationally popular. No matter the class –power yoga, vinyasa, or meditation, the teachers were

very real and down to earth; their teachings were grounded in scientific fact and traditional knowledge.

Joy and high vibrations exuded from the classes and music. People danced and celebrated and giggled. They pushed their yoga practices into new unexplored places and left feeling revived, refreshed, and ready to rededicate their daily lives to positive change and heightened awareness of body and intention - overall a very worthwhile investment!

Electric Forest-Day 2

2011-07-03T08:36:00.001-07:00

Day 2 of Electric Forest was an amazing day. We started it off with a playful trip to the Gold Rush Waterpark. Got a nice hot shower and headed back to the festival grounds via the free shuttle. Highlights musically ranged from "That 1 Guy", Lettuce, Shpongle and of course two killer sets of String Cheese Incident. I will be posting photos when I get home. Had a little snafu with my lab top and we'll just say it isn't usable at the moment. Stay tuned for more photo updates from HH magazine from Electric Forest. Happy Fourth of July from us here in Michigan!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

Electric Forest- Day One

2011-07-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

After traveling 17 hours and covering almost 1700 miles, the HH magazine crew arrived at Electric Forest. We were greeted by severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and an electrifying lightning display that danced across the sky as we approached our final destination. As the storm settled and camp was set we plunged into the extraordinary visuals and sounds that are the Electric Forest.

The next morning greeted us, yet again, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain. As the afternoon approached and the weather lifted, our first full day of Electric Forest began with much anticipation.

Video: We Love Wanderlust VT!

2011-06-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

The HH Readers Interview Wanderlust Teacher John Friend the Founder of Anusara

2011-06-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

-How does one obtain enlightenment through the practice of yoga? - Gene Douthit
JF: Any time that we tap into our hearts and get a moment of recognition that we are all connected as ecstatically whirling, infinitely creative, auspicious consciousness then we have a moment of enlightenment. Anusara yoga teaches us that the access to the experience of enlightenment can be gained anytime and in relationship to anything. The gateway is the middle place, a flowing union point between contrary compliments. We use Universal Principles of Alignment to harmonize with the flow of life and Spirit so that we are able to access this gateway to the recognition of our true essence.

-What has your practice taught you about yourself lately? - Sarah B.

JF: After 35 years of practice, my understanding of mantra and its power has deepened, offering me new revelations.

-Who has your greatest teacher been? - Erin Connolly

JF: My mother has been my greatest teacher. She taught me how to see the vast possibilities of my life and to see the creative diversity in nature. Yet she also constantly pointed out the universal connections between religions and between various philosophies on Spirit. She showed me how to see the deep order in apparent chaos. Lastly, my mother taught me to keep a positive attitude and to see every day as a holiday.

-Who were your top 3 non-yoga influences in putting together your Anusara philosophy? - Charles Hussein Faris

JF: My top 3 non-hatha yoga philosophical influences are Theosophy of H. P. Blavatsky, Wicca, and Quantum Physics.

-How do you balance your family/friends/significant others with the concept of non-attachment? - Corinne Elizabeth

JF: I honor and respect the other as an embodiment of the Divine. I wish for everyone to be free to artistically express themselves. Each individual has their own karma and needs the space to fulfill their svadharma. Any close or intimate connection with a loved one is a blessing from the universe that is ultimately beyond our control.

-How has your past relationship with Gurumayi led to where you are today in your practice? - Jessica Sommar

JF: It is through my relationship with Gurumayi that I experienced that everything is a dance with the Shakti, or the power of Divine Consciousness. Yoga comes from the inside out. In the hatha yoga practice, the asana are expressions of a feeling or heart quality that is physicalized within the poses.

-Tell us about your fabulous partnership with Wanderlust and the Anusara events this summer. - Taraleigh Weathers

JF: Our partnership with Wanderlust has evolved since its flagship event in 2009. This year we have 2 dedicated Anusara yoga events, one before Wanderlust Vermont and one before Wanderlust California. The Anusara Grand Circle <http://anusaragrand.wanderlustfestival.com/home> is on the Summer Solstice in Stratton, Vermont on June 19th - 22nd. It will be a gathering of yogis from all over the world. It is Anusara's first large-scale community wide event on the East Coast! The Anusara Inspired Gathering <http://anusarainspired.wanderlustfestival.com/home> is July 24th - 27th. It’s the first time I am holding an event for both Anusara-Inspired and certified Anusara yoga teachers, where we will come together as both teachers and students to dive deep into our curriculum. I am super excited for these events and for the main Wanderlust events - how wonderful to be able to practice and hang out together in the heart of awe inspiring nature.

-What is your favorite healthy snack? - Taraleigh Weathers

JF: I like apple with a nut butter.

What the HH Readers Think of Camp Bisco

2011-06-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

I love ILCC and the bikers! I love that I don't have to walk 10,000 miles from my tent to the stages. I love chillin under the trees. I love all the fun art installations they have each year. I love the wide range of musicians that play. I love making fun of the sully Bisco wooks. I love that it's so close to home!

Randy Kramer Pierce

I love that everyone loves everyone. Everyone gathers for one sole purpose and that is: to free the soul, feel the vibes and take in all different forms of art in whatever crazy mindset the weekend happens to bring to you. You can walk into camp with $5 in your pocket and walk out rich with memories, connections and a never ending love for all that is Camp Bisco...and duh! The Biscuits themselves!!

Missy Mertens

I like that it is a non stop dance party in the land of the heady. I love that there are much less annoying ass hippies than most festivals. I like watching the wack jobs roam around at 5am.

Greg Walton

I love the music and all of the secret special things the Biscuits do to make sure that we are all having the best time of our lives. I won't tell you what those things are because you have to get your butt to Camp Bisco this year and see for yourselves.
See you there!

Taraleigh Weathers
Get your tickets to Camp Bisco by clicking HERE!
Join the party in Mariaville, NY from July 7-9

StrangeCreek is Steppin' it up!

2011-06-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Close to two weeks after this year’s StrangeCreek Campout Music Festival I’m still glowing! Going back to Camp Kee-Wanee for me is like taking a trip ‘home’ to see friends and family I get to celebrate life with once or twice a year. I’ve been extremely fortunate to watch this festival grow over the past several years. With each year this festival gains momentum musically and a following faithful fans, so much so that this year is the first year the festival sold out! Not only has the festival grown, but the festival grounds have grown as well. Some of you may not know that the venue used for StrangeCreek is a summer camp for kids. Over the years the dedicated Wormtown Trading staff has helped to make huge improvements to the camp, clearing out tons of poison ivy, creating safe pathways for the campers to enjoy the creek, and building new cabins. One of the attributes that make the Wormtown family so special is that all of these improvements are done by volunteers who head up to camp early or agree to stay late to work their tails off to not only make Wormtown Festivals as fun (and safe) as possible, but also to help enrich the experiences of hundreds of campers.

In true Wormtown fashion the Worms are working hard at building three new cabins for the upcoming Summer Camp Season. These new cabins will serve as ‘home rooms’ for the campers to start and finish their days in. I love watching the evolution of the last set of cabins built by Wormtown. The campers have left their mark on our late cabins. (Be sure to check out the handprints, artwork, and messages left inside the cabins by the campers) reminding us that the camp is filled with love and joy all summer, not just on our special weekends spent there.

Not only have the Worms helped improve the grounds, but through the collection and redemption of cans and water and ice sales Camp Kee-Wanee benefits financially as well! Thanks to this income they have been able to keep the cost of camp extremely low which help allow more kids to experience the magic of Camp Kee-Wanee!

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out the line up for Wormtown in the fall, and help support this great community! Check their website for all the latest updates http://www.wormtown.com.

Just a friendly reminder of how important it is to clean up after ourselves after our stay at Camp Kee-Wanee, the campers deserve a super clean and fun experience!

by Erin Connolly

Jade Rocks Desert Rocks in Utah

2011-06-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Why Desert Rocks...Rocks!

When you think of a desert there may be a few words that come to mind to describe it; hot, dry, brown, lifeless, or even death. After attending Desert Rocks Music Festival in Moab, Utah this past Memorial Day weekend the words I use to describe a desert have changed drastically. Although it was very hot, the weekend had nothing dry, brown, lifeless, or anything close to death about it.

We arrived a little late to the festival on Friday afternoon and were greeted with smiling faces and a blistering sun. The festival organizers were completely prepared for the heat and the sun. There were always ample amounts of drinking water for festival patrons to rehydrate and cool down with. Even though the festival was relatively small, organizers even provided showers.

At many other festivals I have been to Monday morning has looked like a war scene. With trash and beer cans and bottles everywhere left behind from the previous nights’ activities. Coordinators did a fantastic job of having plenty of trash and recycling receptacles though out the grounds. We all felt a little better leaving the desert as we found it...clean and green.

Lifeless, I believe, would have to be the last word that would describe this desert. Whether it be the joyful sound of music until sunrise or just the smiling happy faces of everyone attending, the weekend was full of life. The musical performances were out of this world. Everyone from Hot Buttered Rum, who threw down for two nights in a row, to some of smaller names like DARKO and Quintana, that welcomed the sunrise with many of us, all made this weekend overflow with life.

All in all Desert Rocks is by far one of my favorite festivals I have been to and plan on continuing attending for years.

www.desertrocks.org

By Jade Konitzer

Soulive Launches the Royal Family Affair

2011-05-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

Get Down with the HH's at a 3-Day Get Down on August 12-14 at Stratton Mountain, Vermont

Featuring Soulive, Chromeo, Big Gigantic, Lettuce, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Karl Denson and many more...

In celebration of its 13th year as a band, the preeminent soul funk trio Soulive has announced the inaugural Royal Family Affair -- a three-day music festival from August 12-14 set in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont. In the last decade, Soulive has toured the globe playing with some of the world's most celebrated musicians from The Rolling Stones to Dave Matthews, from Stevie Wonder to Joshua Redman. Now, as has become customary with their acclaimed Bowlive and Royal Family Ball blowouts, Soulive brings all of their diverse friends together for a weekend long event.

Joining Soulive at the Royal Family Affair are future funk luminaries Chromeo, electronic powerhouse Big Gigantic, fellow Royal Family Records label-mates Lettuce, Break Science, Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers and Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 and modern day funk legends Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk and Karl Denson. Additional highlights include a special one-time only performance by a power trio consisting of organist John Medeski, saxophonist Skerik and drummer Adam Deitch, as well as sets by Zach Deputy, Paper Diamond, John Brown's Body, The Pimps of Joytime, The London Soulsand Jennifer Hartswick. Additional guests will be announced shortly.

Along with performances taking place on two stages and a late-night venue, the Royal Family Affair will offer a series of intimate clinics and musical workshops with the many luminaries performing at the festival. These up close and personal meetings with the artists will take place in large indoor studios set up with musical gear. They’ll provide a fascinating window into the creative process for musicians and fans alike. Confirmed events include a guitar seminar with Eric Krasno, a percussion clinic with Alan Evans and Adam Deitch, a horn clinic with The Shady Horns and a composition/songwriting workshop with Neal Evans.

The Royal Family Affair will take place at the Stratton Mountain Ski Resort in Bondville, VT. One of the best-known skiing locations in the Northeast, Stratton is easily accessible from NYC, Boston, Western Massachusetts, Albany and Burlington. The event will take place at the base of the mountain with picturesque views and a lively village featuring restaurants, bars and retail stores. Festival attendees are encouraged to stay at any of the extremely affordable lodging properties right on site. All lodging is within walking distance of the stages and rates start as low as $39 per person per night.

Beyond the great music, Stratton Mountain offers a huge variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Play tennis, go hiking or kayaking, or ride the gondola to the summit - you'll enjoy views only the highest peak in Vermont's Green Mountain range can provide. In the village, Long Trail and Wolavers will offer free daily tastings of a wide variety of fine local micro-brews, and the wide variety of local restaurants will offer affordable, fresh and tasty local cuisine.

Single day ($29.50 - $34.50) and 3-day ($89.50) festival passes are on sale now through the Royal Family Affair website (www.royalfamilyaffair.com). For those looking for a VIP experience, two tiers of VIP packages are available, offering benefits ranging from exclusive viewing areas, complementary beverages, a meet & greet with the performers and backstage access. VIP packages start at $199.

So who is in????

Phish Utica DVD

2011-05-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday 100 lucky Vermonters and me had the privilege of being some of the first people to experience the Phish Utica DVD. Merrill of Merrill's Roxy Theaters in downtown Burlington, VT generously handed over his theater to Phish and the WaterWheel Foundation for the night. 100% of the proceeds benefited music department of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Burlington. I heard we raised over $1500 for the cause. Go us!

The original show took place on October 20, 2010 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, NY and it was the show to be at and of course one of the only shows I missed on that tour. The show at the sold out auditorium which is the size of a high school's basketball gym has been buzzed about ever since it happened. Way to go Phish Inc for picking a show where not that many fans got to experience and now they do!

I would suggest gathering all the money you have left after you buy all your tickets to go see the band and purchase this DVD immediately! The crew did a great job shooting the band from all angles and they even added a new camera that was set up right near the fabulous Chris Kuroda in order to capture the amazing Phish light show. One of my favorite parts of the DVD is Trey's smile. He obviously knows how awesome the band was sounding and you could tell that he was excited about it. He gives us tons of giggles, smiles and oh yeah faces throughout the entire show. It made me happy to watch and I felt proud of those four men from Vermont.

If you don't like the song Guyute then you might not like this show. Fans refer to this show as "Guyutica" since they played and teased this song many many times. I personally never thought it got old and got excited every time I heard Trey play that famous lick.

The DVD is available for purchase at Phish.com

The Infamous Stringdusters at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT

2011-05-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

A man and a woman went on a date to Higher Ground in Burlington, VT to see the Infamous Stringdusters. They were blown away!! Check out their reactions.

The Woman (Taraleigh Weathers)

I am not the biggest fan of U2. My husband thought it would be funny to trick me into liking U2 when the Infamous Stringdusters did a cover from the band. He asked me if I liked the song which I said I did. When I found out it was U2 I said, "Well if U2 played the song like this then I would like it." That is how awesome the Infamous Stringdusters are! They took a song by an extremely famous and well respected band and I liked their version much better.

I seriously love this band now and want to see them every possible time I can. They had me at hello. One thing that I especially loved besides the fact that they are all extremely talented musicians and cute boys was their performance quality. They went from playing in one big long line of awesomeness to playing to each other in a circle just like they were around a campfire and we were along for the ride. I loved how they were constantly changing positions on the stage. I bet if all the band members had paint on their feet, the entire stage would be completely covered. They interacted with the audience and I felt personally responsible for how awesome the show was because they made me feel as though I was part of the band. I'm not special. They created this feeling for everyone in the crowd.

My advice to you.... GO OUT AND SEE THIS BAND!!!!

The Man (Dan Weathers)

On a cold and rainy night on an evening in Burlington, VT, bluegrass fans were warm and dry dancing their tails off to the Infamous Stringdusters. This high energy band really gets the crowd moving. While this band plays very traditional with an upright bass, dobro, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and guitar they also have a wide range of influences beyond bluegrass and country covering bands like U2 and the Police. Right off the bat you could tell these were all top notch musicians. Every note was concise and the singing came through clear. I really enjoyed watching the musicians interact. You could tell they loved what they were doing and they enjoyed watching each other as they ripped through searing solos throughout the night. As a fan you will either have fun dancing to the grooves or just sit back and marvel at the way this band tears through high paced songs never missing a beat. For me, I can't wait to see more of what these guys can do.

Check out their website for tourdates!

CLICK HERE

Recipe: Homemade Butter

2011-04-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

When I was at the City Market Co-Op in Burlington, VT I was given a recipe card with a way to make homemade butter. I was so excited because local organic butter is so expensive and this is a way to make it yourself for less.

Directions:

Fill a small jar half full of cream. Shake vigorously until you see the yellow butter solidify inside. The liquid is buttermilk and can be strained off to use for cooking or drinking.

Tricks to Making Awesome Butter

Leave the cream out of the fridge for a few hours before you want to make the butter to get it to room temperature. Warm cream turns to butter more quickly than cold cream.

If you get tired of shaking the jar, or to make butter more quickly, our the cream into a food processor (with the metal blade attachment) or blender and turn it on. After a few minutes, you will see small yellow butter beads form. Strain this liquid through a cheese cloth (or coffee filter) catching the white liquid for buttermilk, if desired. Strain the butter through the cheese cloth, pressing out all the buttermilk until a solid ball is formed.

Once butter is formed, knead it under cold running water to squeeze out any remaining buttermilk.

Knead in salt to draw out the flavor if desired.

EOTO at Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, VT

2011-04-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

EOTO, if you didn't know is comprised of the fabulous Jason Hann and Michael Travis of the String Cheese Incident. This side project is an electronic dub step experiment that has gone extremely well. If you compared it to a high school science project volcano, it would have erupted and blew the roof off the school. That is how awesome this side project is!

When I first arrived at the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont, I was surprised at how young everyone was. I don't want to date myself, but if I had a child at a young age they could have been at that show. Actually some of my friend's kids were. I loved the young energy and the outfits they had on were amazing. I'm going to use that for inspiration for outfits I'm going to plan out for the future. I didn't know that the 80's style of day glow tights and shiny silver bootie shorts were back...but I have to say that I'm thrilled. Anyway to get back to the subject of the show, these youngsters were loving it! They could hardly contain their excitement and were dancing like maniacs. I'm not sure how the Memorial Auditorium staff kept everyone from jumping from the rafters.

Jason Hann kept everyone's feet moving with his fast and furious drum beats while Michael Travis rocked our worlds with his guitar and computer mixer thing (I'm pretty sure that is the technical term). EOTO was the opener for Bass Nectar and usually when you are the opener, people don't show up until the main act is scheduled to hit the stage. This was not the case for EOTO. The auditorium was packed to the brim. That just shows you what an amazing act EOTO is.

Their tour is continuing and I wish I could just follow them around. Every show I've been to has knocked my socks off...and they were my fancy dancing socks. That's impressive. Make sure to check out all their future tour dates and don't miss them when they come to your town. If you do...you will be sad and probably cry. I don't want you to cry.

EOTO's Website...check it out!!!

Review by: Taraleigh Weathers

Two Sisters Check Out Great American Taxi

2011-04-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

On April 16, 2011 two sisters were lucky enough to not only be in Breckenridge, Colorado, but to get to see Great American Taxi for the first time. Did they love it? Did they hate it? Did they come out alive? Read on to see what they thought.

Taraleigh's Reaction (The Older Sister)

I know that I love Leftover Salmon so I was pretty certain I would love Great American Taxi and I was right! Three20South is kind of a dive bar in the basement of a building on Main Street in Breckenridge. Breckenridge isn't known for it's dive bars, but quite the opposite so I was pleasantly surprised with this venue since I am a dive bar fan. The opening band Oakhurst was fabulous and got me in the mood to rock the place with all my fancy dance moves. Once Great American Taxi took the stage I was ready for the ride and all my best moves came out. My sister's did too. That is probably why so many guys thought it was ok to say inappropriate things to us. I mean our moves were sick! Besides the inappropriate men the show was fantastic. Vince totally killed it. He has so much energy and gives it everything he's got. He brought the entire crowd on his ride of ragin bluegrass splendor and wouldn't let us out of the cab until he hit his last note...not that we wanted to get out of the cab anyway.

All in all the music was fabulous, the venue was down home and the people were dancing like there was no tomorrow. I would recommend that everyone get on the taxi that is called the Great American Taxi. You won't regret going for the ride. I hope they pick me up again soon!!!

Kimberly (The Younger Sister)

I had no idea what to expect from Great American Taxi, despite the fact that I live in NYC and spend a lot of time in some really great, uh, American taxis. Upon entering the bar, I felt encouraged by the dive bar feel, super cheap drinks and friendly bartenders. I was a bit skeeved out by the aforementioned way too forward guys, however decided to not let that put a damper on the night. We rocked out all night and really enjoyed the music, as well as the randomly placed tiki sculptures on the dance floor. The energy of the crowd was really amazing and got me totally pumped up to be spending my first night in the glorious ski town of Breckenridge. I would love to check them out again and would definitely recommend the band, the venue and our rocking dance moves to anyone who is looking for a good night!

Review: A Course in Weight Loss-21 Spiritual Lessons

2010-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

I just reviewed a phenomenal book written by Marianne Williamson called, "A Course in Weight Loss - 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering your Weight Forever."

This book is a "spiritual curriculum" designed to spiritually and emotionally help you shed your emotional weight as well as your physical weight.

In the beginning of the Introduction, Williamson begins describing this course, "Spirit alone has the power to positively and permanently reprogram both your conscious and subconscious mind."

She leads you through each chapter in a gradual step-wise fashion just like an actual course in school. The purpose of this book is to explain to you that your physical weight loss can very easily be taken off if you allow a higher power into your life and purge the emotional weight from your heart and spirit.

Much of this course is like how your sponsor in a 12-step program would help you through the 12 steps.

Williamson helps you to rediscover your true self and helps you to forgive and love your self again. Forgiveness and love are key ingredients to proper healing.

Williamson addresses that our physical weight is the result of how much emotional burden and issues we carry through our lives. The more emotional burdens and issues we mount onto our hearts, our physical bodies feel the need to physically grow just to hold on to all that burden.

Hoarding physical possessions and all kinds of addictions is how people are hoarding their emotional turmoil and burdens.

So many people suffer from emotional eating disorders and even smoking/alcohol addiction. Why do people latch on to such a hands-on addiction? Because it is the only reliable and dependable friend they know who can help them cope. Cigarettes and a bottle of alcohol will never leave them and will always be there for them. The cigarettes are right in there pocket or in their purse. Food also is something that will always be there for them and they think that it will never judge them or put them down. External crutches help people get through a day. People are more concerned about getting through a day than maintaining a long life. Through the course of this book, she helps you to break down these barriers and regain your sense of self again and increase your self-worth.

Oprah Winfrey had inspired this book for Williamson. She dedicated this book to Oprah and extended warm wishes of gratitude to her.

Dr. Dean Ornish wrote the Forward for this book discussing the magnitude of making healthy lifestyle choices and getting to the root cause of our obesity epidemic by healing from the inside out.

Oprah Winfrey was quoted, "Listen to the whisper before it becomes a scream." This is important in the healing of our physical and emotional self. By the time your body is screaming, it will take longer to heal because there is much more damage done.

This book is a phenomenal and excellent book for anyone who wishes to see themselves again and to find their inner happiness again. By doing so, they will lose their "unwanted" physical weight because there won't be anymore negative friction or self-hatred penetrating the body anymore.

There is a journal at the back of the book for note taking as well as exercises in each chapter. At the end of each chapter she gives you time to reflect and take a moment to write your thoughts and she gives you a prayer to say to your self during this process of self-discovery.

At the end of this book, you will be understanding to your self and be true to your self. You will be more giving to your heart's desire and be complete as a person.

Buy this book for a Christmas present for your SELF, relative, or friend! It will be the best investment ever!

By Carol Harblin (CHHC)

The Heavy Pets: The Highline Ballroom 11/26

2010-12-01T11:21:00.000-08:00

Heavy Pets at the Highline Ballroom 11/26/2010

On a night when U-Melt was performing their last show at the Highline Ballroom in New York City another band helped to celebrate the night with a bang. The Heavy Pets who are continually impressing crowds at festivals and music venues came in and played an excellent set of music. While the night belonged to Umelt the Heavy Pets got the crowd started and energized. Listeners were treated to the lead guitar work by both Jeff Lloyd and Mike Garulli. Each provides his own style live that really compliant each other and the band.

As the Heavy Pets set wore on the band really sparked the crowd into a dancing frenzy until there was no time left. With only one short set the band really left fans including me wanting more. Hopefully the rest of the Heavy Pets tour will coincide with fans schedules and location so they won’t be left out in seeing this enjoyable band.

Tour 2010

11/30/10 New Haven, CT - Café Nine

12/01/10 Portland, ME - Empire Dine and Dance

12/02/10-12/03/2010 Stowe, VT - The Matterhorn

12/04/10 Burlington, VT - Nectar’s

12/08/10 Syracuse, NY – Wescott Theater

12/09/10 Saratoga Springs, NY - Putnam Den

12/10/10 Philadelphia, PA - M Room

12/14/10 Virginia Beach, VA - Jewish Mother

12/16/10 Charlottesville, VA - Southern Café and Music Hall

12/17/10 Baltimore, MD - 8 x 10 club

12/18/10 Plains, PA - River Street Jazz Café

12/31/10 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room

By: Daniel Weathers

Photo: Chris Paul

Biomass Busters!

2010-11-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

Burning forests for electricity, aka biomass incineration, is being proposed across the nation as a “clean and green” energy source, right up there with solar and wind. But unlike solar and wind, biomass incinerators, such as Burlington, Vermont’s McNeil generating station, put out harmful pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Hydrochloric Acid, Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Chlorine, and particulate matter.

The Environmental Protection Agency says particulate matter is “so small that [it] can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems.” The EPA links particulate exposure to “increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing; decreased lung function; aggravated asthma; development of chronic bronchitis; nonfatal heart attacks; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.” Multiple studies demonstrate there is no safe level of exposure to particulates.

The American Lung Association cites concerns about “severe impacts on the health of children, older adults, and people with lung diseases” from biomass, while the Massachusetts Medical society states, “biomasspower plants pose an unacceptable risk to the public’s health by increasing air pollution.”

Board certified pediatrician Dr. William Sammons of Massachusetts insists that biomass “will have a direct negative impact on the health of our Nation’s children: both immediately and cumulatively throughout their lifetimes, and for generations to come.”

Numerous complaints have been filed over the years from Burlington residents living near the McNeilbiomass incinerator on issues from sickening odors, to spontaneous combustion of woodchip piles, to noise complaints, to dust.

Climate change, anyone? In June, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts released the “Manomet” study, demonstrating that forest biomass incineration will release more global warming gases than coal over the very timeframe climate scientists insist we must curb our carbon emissions. The Manomet study has resulted in Massachusetts re-evaluating the incentives offered for biomass incineration and its findings have rippled across New England, the nation and the world.

A report by Environmental Working Group states that “carbon dioxide emissions from biomass per unit of energy generated are about 1.5 times higher than from coal and 3 to 4 times greater than from natural gas,” and that “over the next 15 years about 4.7 billion tons of carbon will be generated from burning biomass,” which would “erase 80% of the reduction in CO2 emissions from the power sector that is at the heart of federal climate legislation.”

It’s as simple as this: if you support climate change legislation mandating CO2 emissions cuts over the next several decades, then you oppose biomass incineration for electricity.

How about forests? Forests not only give us the best climate buffer on the planet through the sequestration and storage of CO2, they also provide trillions of dollars of ecosystem services such as clean air, pure water, erosion and flood control, and fish and wildlife, not to mention recreation and tourism dollars. New England’s forests are already stressed by current uses of lumber, paper pulp and firewood. With forest cover in New England once again declining, there just aren’t enough forests in New England to feed more hungry incinerators.

Few deny the need to wean ourselves off fossil fuels. But in our scramble to limit—and ultimately end—our dependence on oil, let’s make sure we’re not jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. We’ve burned our way into this climate change mess and we’re not going to burn our way out. Even a grade schooler can understand that clean energy can’t come out of a smokestack.

Solutions? Here’s some: Drastically ramp up energy efficiency and conservation—reports estimate that the State of Vermont could meet 19-30% of electricity demand from efficiency measures alone. We should also carefully move forward with appropriately sited and scaled, community supported, zero-waste, zero-emissions, renewable energy such as solar, wind and microhydro (no new dams).

But eventually we’ve got to come to terms with the fact that no combination of renewable energy can power the current American way of life. It’s up to us to transition our lifestyles to something the planet can sustain.

Josh Schlossberg

Communications Coordinator, Biomass Accountability Project

Organizer, Biofuelwatch

Editor, Biomass Busters

1550 Center Rd.

Montpelier, VT 05602

Phaces from The Phish Examiner

2010-10-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.examiner.com/phish-in-national/phaces-taraleigh-weathers

Click this link to read about Taraleigh in the Phish Examiner

A Weekend at Wormtown, a Family Affair

2010-10-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

Yet another amazing weekend was spent at Camp Kee-Wanee getting down with the Worms. For many of us this festival (and venue) has become a family reunion of sorts, a weekend spent with the family we choose for ourselves. One of the things that sets this festival apart from the others I attend, is the amount of actual families that attend year after year. Anyone who has taken a stroll through Family Camping knows what I’m talking about. Yes, there are kids at every festival I attend, there’s usually even a designated family camping section, but no one does it quiet like the Worms. Besides having the perfect location for family camping (well maybe not perfect, since it is very close to late night music…but almost perfect), Wormtown Trading ensures the kids have a great and SAFE time by providing them with cool things to do throughout the weekend.

What makes this location almost perfect you ask? The awesome, built in wooden jungle gym. Personally, I find it hard to not go running and screaming towards it every time I walk past it (if you know me, this takes A LOT of restraint), which explains why the kids love it so much. It screams fun. However, there’s way more to do in family camping then just play on the jungle gym. To ensure all the kids have fun filled days, Wormtown recruits Wendy Podlinski to head family camping. She’s responsible for all the planning and organizing that goes into it. To ensure the kid’s cabin is a hub of activities for the kids, she gathering supplies and volunteers to ensure the activities run smoothly. This year Sean Krause, Nathaniel Putnam & Frank Auriemmo tackled the job of getting all the RVS and campers into family and sites set up. While Kelly Auriemmo, Katy Krause & Carrie Parisi spent their time supervising the project and games.

This year’s star activity was Saturday morning Tye-Dying! All that was needed to participate was something white and cotton to dye, kids and adults had a blast! Forgot your shirt, not to worry! This year a multitude of items were dyed from shirts to socks and even some underwear got a few splashes of color. Other options for the kids were face painting, a treasure hunt, ‘mud’ making(a yummy sweet treat), and arts and crafts. Wendy makes sure all ages of kids can find something to do in the cabin. It’s a great place for kids work together and get to know each other better. The highlight of the weekend for family camping is the Kids’ Parade and Kids’ Set! I rarely see music before noon at most festivals, but I make sure to set an alarm (or 3) to catch the Kids’ set. I really cannot begin to put into words the feeling of joy I get watching all the kids sing their face painted hearts out. I end up with tears streaming down my face every year. It’s almost like I’m getting to watching the next generation grow up year after year. Many of these kids have been coming to Wormtown for 6 years now, that’s a whole lot of growing up!

Besides all of the organized activities there’s tons more going on. Club houses being created, water wars being waged, sharpie attacks under way (warning to all those whom enter family camping), marshmallow guns being fired, are just some of the impromptu hijinks taking place. It’s an awesome place to visit, but it’s important to remember that family camping is a there to keep the kids safe and foster a sense of family. While you’re visiting please keep in mind there are young and impressionable minds all around you. Be sure to show them what our scene is all about, peace, love, family, and music.

Story and Photos by Erin Connolly

Featured Festival: Old 78 Farm Fall Festival

2010-09-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Old 78 Farm Fall Festival

Saturday, October 9^th 12 – 8 pm

823 Orange Road, Warwick, MA.

Featuring: music, farm fresh food, vending and kids activities

On October 9th, the first ever Old 78 Farm Fall Festival will take place in Warwick, MA. The festival will feature music, farm fresh food, clothing and farm product vending, an escape artist, face painting and balloon creations and more. Old 78 Farm itself is a beginner farm nestled along the northern border of MA, near both the New Hampshire and Vermont borders.

Angel and Phil Simon, along with Lynn Englen, slowly have been developing the 150 year old house and property into a productive farm which boasts a sizable garden, laying and meat chickens, rabbit, duck, turkey and more. “This festival is a way for us to tie all of the elements of our lives- the food we are producing from the farm, the clothing that we hand craft, and the music that we love all into an event for the community. We can showcase who we are at Old 78, and who we all are in the heart of New England.” explained the Simons. In addition to the food products, Old 78 Farm is producing clothing made of entirely recycled, reclaimed, and reused material.

Artists:

Adam Ezra
is a rising star from Boston

who has been touring the country with

with his five-piece Adam Ezra group.

He has shared the stage with the

likes of Jackson Brown, Blues Traveler

and The Bridge.

Dave Keller is a Vermont native who

has gained much notoriety over the

years as a blues guitarist and vocalist.

You won’t want to miss this soulful

act deliver some great blues classics,

as well as some of his originals.

Jatoba is a three piece progressive

bluegrass band from Vermont. In the

The Ryan Montbleau Band: Photo Journey from Higher Ground 9/23/2010

2010-09-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Photos by Ravi Parikh: The Rhythm Devils at Higher Ground on 9/11

2010-09-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

Rhythm Devils at Higher Ground in S Burlington on 9/11 by Daniel Weathers

2010-09-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Rhythm Devils Higherground 09/11/10

Mickey’s Birthday Bash

On Mickey Hart’s Birthday I ventured out to Higherground to see Bill Kreutzman and Mickey Hart’s Rhythm Devils. I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing Tim Bluhm on guitar/vocals from the Mother Hips and Davey Knowles on guitar/vocals so I really didn’t know what to expect.

What I found was a highly entertaining and energized show. The two guitarists really did a great job of taking on classic Grateful Dead standards like Cold Rain and Snow, Fire on the Mountain, Uncle John’s band and Mountains of the Moon while also offering some originals as well. While Mickey, Bill, Andy Hess, and Sikiru Adepoju held down the groove Tim and Davy really fed off each other. I was surprised with how well each sang lead on vocals and taking turns on guitar solos. They both kept the feel of the Grateful Dead but also

provided their own style and influence to the songs.

It’s always a joy to see Bill and Mickey playing together on the drums. The two of them really add so much to the show. The two are just tight. I came away from this show impressed and happy to have made it out to see the Rhythm Devils. I will definitely be looking forward to seeing them again.

www.rhythmdevils.net

www.highergroundmusic.com

www.healthyhippiemagazine.com

Check out the newest Healthy Hippie Magazine!!!!

2010-09-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

Check out the newest issue of

The Healthy Hippie Magazine

and please share with all of your friends:)

Click on the ads and support our advertisers.

We love you!!!!!

Moe.down 2010 with Taraleigh Weathers

2010-09-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

Review: Wanderlust by Jhanna Dawson Photos by Dana Nollsch

2010-08-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, is nestled in the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevadas in California. In the winter it is home for countless numbers of skiers, snowboarders, and lovers of all things snow. But in the summer time, this world renowned ski resort becomes one of the most beautiful places on earth with it’s stunning views of Lake Tahoe, color popping wildflowers, and mild summer temps. It is during this time of year that Squaw Valley hosts the Wanderlust Festival, a gathering of music, yoga, food, vendors, and good vibes.

This was to be my first year attending Wanderfest, and I was really looking forward to taking in the experience. Being a resident of Reno, NV, which is just down the hill, I enjoy going to Squaw in the summer time, but I knew with the high energy of yoga and music intertwined, this was going to be one of the highlights of my summer.

I arrived early, before 8am, and it was clear the night before had everyone up late enjoying the many music options that were offered and what makes Wanderlust such a huge success. I wandered around, with the village to myself, enjoying the peaceful quiet and crisp morning air.

I headed over to the gondola and caught a ride up to high camp, where several of the first yoga classes that morning were being held. At an altitude of 8200 feet, high camp gifts us with panoramic views of the valley below, and Lake Tahoe just off in the distance. There were two groups doing different styles of yoga, in two separate areas. Further up, Wanderlusters who chose to participate, could hike up a single track trail and join in on the morning meditation, featuring Garth Stevenson playing his bass (which he hiked up to the meditation spot with).

Without actively participating in any of the groups, I silently sat down, took some photos, and could feel my blood pressure lower, and my vibration levels rise. It was the perfect morning.

By the time I rode the gondola back, and got down to where the main festival was being held, the number of people had greatly increased. People of all ages were walking in with their yoga mats, instruments, bicycles, bota bags, and more. It was a treasury trove of different types of music, yoga, and festival lovers to be sure.

The marketplace (Kula Village) held many options for everyone’s buying pleasure, informational pursuits, and culinary treats. The merchants were, as one would expect at a Wanderlust Festival, approachable, knowledgeable, and friendly to sit and chat with.

The festival itself was spread out like a maze, with little nooks and crannies of fun activities for adults and children alike. This year, it included an area especially designed for kids, which included the gift of yoga, henna tattoos, hula hoops, and more.

Other options for Wanderlusters included Speakeasy Talks, where people could sit and listen to some leaders in various industries, wine tasting, an art gallery, or a walking meditation on one of the many hiking trails Squaw Valley has to offer.

While all of these options that are offered to Wanderlusters, I have to say that my favorite area was the Tea House, a large nomadic like tent that offered quiet and meditative respite to many weary souls. Here, one could come in and sit on wicker stools around a small table and either not say a word, or partake in the wonderful conversations taking place. Whichever one chose, the table, with a gracious hostess, was clearly a place of reverence. Every person sitting at the table was quite aware of the ceremony taking place and treated it with great respect and gratitude.

On a side note, the volunteers were fantastic at the event. All of them that I interacted with were friendly, helpful, and having a great time. I know some of the people who volunteered and, while they said at times it was a hard job, they loved having the opportunity to do it, and to contribute to the energy of the festival.

Overall, Wanderlust was an amazing experience that should be on everyone’s festival calendar for next summer. The people who gathered to partake in all the festivities were truly of a common conscience, which oozed of peace, fun, joy, healing, and creativity.

The intention of the creators of Wanderlust was to create an environment that invited people to “escape the mundane and dwell in the extraordinary.” They succeeded to say the least!

For more photos go to Dana's Facebook Page

Camp Bisco in the Words of Katherine McNamara

2010-07-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

The Search for Health and Happiness at Camp Bisco

The splendor of camp is in its simplicity. What is an orch? What is a theme? What is a festival? Sometimes the best recipes have the least ingredients. I’ve seen them all… and somewhere between the faux Kerouac bus photo ops and the artfully calculated tripping forests that have sprung up like trendy weeds on the circuit something gets forgotten .(Although the carnival at Waka certainly a sparkling optical attraction the best ride I took was crawling underneath the stage during the bass nectar set with my girl Cate – looking out onto unsuspecting front row of rolling heads, sitting in the dirt, inhabiting the barrel of the drum) So maybe that’s just me; a preference for the quick and the dirty, the raw and the unaffected. .

What do we need? Good tunes, good folks and a plot of land for a few short but well honed days. So when I am asked to write about the healthy and happy elements of a well acknowledged drug romp that is only a shadowy vestige of the politically idealistic hippie movement of old… I have to wrack my brain if I want to be honest… and although I’m prone to dramatic exaggeration, my speech may be flecked with lies, I try to mostly walk in the light of the truth. We’re a long way from Woodstock – figuratively if not geographically – they were trying to alter the world, we are trying to alter our perceptions and escape it for a little while. Blah blah blah. So I’ll just focus on what’s going on inside that fort cause face it – that’s why we come.

And whats going on inside the fort is what is happy and beautiful, if you can let it be in its

Communal convulsion that drips into perpetual spasm; that ticks like a leak and rivets to a beat – maybe this is how we can describe good electronic music. Camp Bisco 9 fell into festy orbit with all the trappings of the best electro line up round the rotation this summer. Not to say that camp didn’t cook up some good rock and roll as well – and of course no tinkling bouncy thumpster can steal the thunder from the main act. Only real thunder upstaged the biscuits in this (albeit die hard) opinion. So the music was right – telepath took the stage on Saturday, scrambled off then on again while bisco closed out one of the best day time sets I’ve seen (this isn’t an article about music but that mr. don into pat & dex …. Even on time sounded good) aeroplane, eskmo, rusko, future rock – I’ll repeat myself and leave it at that – shit was right.

Now people are the second reason you come to camp. Look around. These are your friends. And for a few days at least these nuts along your camp site’s peripheral are your people, if only because you to hit the same scene. I tend to like the campers - everyone from dudes in skirts to tree thuggers to high school grads down for their first rodeo. Although I will admit that this year will be remembered for an insane amount of robbery – stories are all over the place - one lady I know who by karma’s laws ought to have been exempt… But such is life. Lock up your shit.

So forget the scoundrels cause you can never shut them out, and anyways you better focus on your folks who will help you when the badness comes… in whatever form it takes. Cause we’re all outlaws and I’d venture to say that we like it that way. I know I stick with the people who will allow me to expound on my future Indonesian adventures while rolling around in a muddy pit. We would be fools to deny the dark side of Camp Bisco, and perhaps health and happiness appear brighter by contrast.

The real beauty in a situation as strange and ripe as Camp is the alien inclination to interact with some stranger who (to you anyways) is little more than a well weathered yet simultaneously prolific patron of what makes the bottom of this barrel look so deep. There wasn’t even half as much rain as last year. But in Bisco land, when it rains it pours… and here we are flailing and flapping down in the muck and somehow convincing ourselves and the world what we’re doing is called ‘dance.’ In this alone I think we make a pretty good team. So despite the innumerable mocks and mark ups from the resilient, repugnant crop of seedy spunions, you never have so much fun in your life as the few fleeting days you spend getting as weird as you can with them. Well done campers.

By Katherine McNamara

Review: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at Higher Ground 7/26

2010-07-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

Me at the show
Krissy feeling the love
The band hung out with the fans after the showThey had us all sit down for a campfire song
Families were feeling to love

Their merch is so awesome. I got a t-shirt

I had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were here in Burlington playing at Higher Ground! I have had many dance parties to them and it was fun to have a dance party with a sold out crowd and the music really being them and not a recording. The band doesn't only give you a show, but they give you an experience. People were feeling the love so much that a couple actually got engaged on stage! Their sound is kinda like when you are at a festival late night and people start jamming...but they are actually great! You can't help but feel joyous and that you are lucky to be a part of something so cool.

Here are some quotes from the fans at the Higher Ground Show.

"So good I don't even know what to say." David T Euler of Burlington, VT

"It was awesome! It looked like an Urban Outfitters Tent Sale." Ashley Lipton on Burlington

"We are very excited about tonight's show. We heard about the band when they played at Metronome and we wanted to have them play here. We found they seem to attract many different kinds of people. It seems that people are looking for something different and this is it. They appealed to everyone and made them happy! Nothing pleases us as much as a group of really happy people." Kevin Statesir owner of Higher Ground

Photos and Review by Taraleigh Weathers

To see when Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are playing by you check out their website by clicking here!

Taraleigh Shows You Why Nateva Rocked

2010-07-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Flaming Lips Ignite Nateva Music & Camping Festival with Spectacular Performance

2010-07-04T09:04:00.001-07:00

The Flaming Lips Ignite Nateva Music & Camping Festival
with Spectacular Performance
STS9, Crash Kings, Grizzly Bear, She & Him, Drive By Truckers and More Highlight Saturday Line-Up at New England's Premier Music Festival

OXFORD, MAINE (July 4, 2010) - On the second day of the inaugural offering of the Nateva Music & Camping Festival the powers-that-be blessed the sight with an absolutely gorgeous summer day. Weather is hard to call in this neck of the woods. Perhaps an easier prediction would have been that the Nateva line-up of music would blow around with an eagerness to brush against so many genres.

This ideal could not have been more beautifully illustrated than by the Flaming Lips. From the bombastic opening of confetti cannons and an ad-hoc dance squad of guys and girls in fantastically orange ensembles, one could be forgiven for thinking that they'd lapsed into a time of easy air travel and readily recognizable rhythms.

Frontman Wayne Coyne was forthcoming in his Nateva love. He called out the volunteers and the workers who made the port-a-potties, "clean enough that I'd put my ass on them."
Working from a set that drew from the band's eclectic catalog, the Flaming Lips proved, once again, that they might be America's most durable band. If the instantly recognizable, "Jelly," was not sufficient proof of the band's wonders with a hook, then the plaintive cries of "Yoshimi" worked to remind listeners of an ever evolving act.

The Lips were preceded by the throbbing beats of STS9 (who also got a Flaming Lips shout-out). With an anxious crowd waiting for the headliner, STS9 delivered a beat and synth heavy set that called at points on three keyboards, and the loops that go with each, to dance with guitar. It's not easy to serve salad when the masses are screaming for steak but STS9 put enough meat into their set to warm up the masses wonderfully for the Flaming Lips.

Earlier in the day, Grizzly Bear turned out to be the wildcard on the Main Stage as tuned in hipsters stood transfixed by their "Elephant Six Collective" approach to avant rock, while far too many others hurried to the dinner bell. Those who weathered their stomach's callings caught a smart, and at times surprisingly aggressive, set. Many who didn't see this set will one day claim that they did.

Of course, She & Him didn't come as an easy act to follow. With their sound fleshed out by two backing singers/instrumentalists, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and an additional guitarist, M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel had plenty of room to stretch out. While Ward's work as a solo artist, and in such collaborations as Monsters of Folk, has cemented his credibility, Deschanel is a newly discovered treasure of a performer.

Whether behind a Wurlitzer organ that Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers described as the "Spooner Oldham Special," strumming a ukulele, or simply belting out a killer like, "Sentimental Heart," Deschanel can flat out sing. The cover of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" showed that they know their roots but She & Him can confidently move in the current day in style.

Hood should, and does, know a thing or two about performing and his Drive-By Truckers blew doors in a set slated to start at 4:20. Fresh off a support gig for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, they delivered solid hooks via ringing guitars in a manner perhaps best mastered by Neil Young and Crazy Horse. They even dedicated, "Girls That Smoke," to She & Him and "anyone who tours in England when it's cold."

The Crash Kings may have been the nicest surprise of the big stage performers with their catchy, "Saving Grace," mining solid guitar hooks and vocals that reached the same neighborhood that Hot, Hot, Heat and Wolf Mother have occupied.

With two nights down it seems that a true personality is emerging in this event that we now collectively call, "Nateva." Friendliness emerges at virtually every turn here, and with one more night, it's your call to go make a new friend. There's only one day left. This is the spot.
Today's lineup features Festival headliner Furthur, George Clinton & P-Funk, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Max Creek, Zappa Plays Zappa and more.

Summer Camp Companions: Sensational Melodies, Famoe.ly, and Sustainable Initiatives

2010-06-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Has anyone noticed this “spinning in infinity” trend that festivals seem to be taking on? I don’t know about you, but I’ve sensed a shift from original to mainstream with most. More time and energy are spent booking the poppy diva’s of rock n’ roll over adding personal touches that make the fans feel like they are physically kept in mind (not just bank rolls). Grrrrr. Not very thoughtful of the fans and mother earth are we? Well, I certainly don’t speak for all, because moe. definitely knows how to throw a festie - I couldn’t have asked for a better virgin experience at Summer Camp.

Being that it was the festival’s 10th anniversary and moe.’s 20th year playing together, it seemed like the boys were going all out! But, as the weekend came closer, I did hold some suspicions that the festival would take on a “business as usual” approach rather than a “green” one. They had an all-star lineup (no diva’s really, maybe just Dweezil) which, by the way, fulfilled all the womps and ween-toon-teen-toon’s you could handle. And, there were 11,000 moe.rons by Thursday night’s pre-party, which was already surpassing the 2009 totals. Even though there was a lot of growth and momentum behind 2010’s planning, I was pumped that by the end of the weekend I was still able to uncover integrity within Summer Camp’s community.

While the music and its fans were comforting my mind on Thursday night, there was still a minus sign in my dancing shoes equation, which equaled unexceptable. My soul could not allow my body to dance peacefully (without picturing piles of waste entering a landfill) until I knew that my womping grounds were being treated right and that my body would be able to receive the sustenance it needed throughout the weekend. So, on Friday morning I took out to turn my minus into an equal sign, and was generously given an informative tour of the festival grounds with Samantha Phelps of Jay Goldberg Events. She knew just where I belonged, which was the Soulshine Tent.

Here I found like-minded folks who shared the same passions in life: music, art, and awareness. Unlike the negativity of the dude who was off-setting peoples’ ambitions to change by screaming, “Everybody spilled the oil!” all weekend, these do-gooders were all about sending the message through positive interactions. Change of Atmosphere, a main sponsor of the event, had James Gooch heading activities and events at the Soulshine Tent.

When I got there, they had just finished Primitive Dyes: Spicing Up Your Wardrobe, where partakers learned how to make natural dyes with wines, fruits, and other everyday wonders. Anyone for a tie-dye party this summer? I also found out that the tent would be leading AM/PM yoga classes by Heading OM Yoga, Build Your Own Compost Workshop with the University of IL Extension Program, 10 Reasons to Eat Local Discussion, The Hidden Dangers of Kid’s Meals, as well as Share Your Souls Shoe Drive, Rock the Earth Mobile Phone Drive, Conscious Alliance Food Drive, and various other incredible activities, discussions, and performances. I was sincerely impressed with the non-stop education that was being offered to the audience at the Soulshine Tent. Oh, and did I mention one of my favorite performances was held under this tent. Uh-huh, acoustic set with Chuck Garvey of moe. and guest Danny Barnes who was pickin’ away at his banjo!

After my tour of the grounds, I set off to see the first afternoon moe. set and I left early, for church. No, this church was not offering afternoon services or Mumphries. Vaccinations for Saturday nights killer back-to-back x2 Umphrey’s and Moe. sets. Summer Camp’s Greening Coordinator would be filling me in on all their sustainable initiatives and giving a tour of the Waste and Sorting Center. Vanessa seemed like a busy little bee. This respectable lady had a lot of responsibility under her belt and I think she pulled through with great success. The obvious "big idea" behind her job was to off-set the festivals carbon footprints.

First, she informed us of the 200 plus Green Teamers, who had volunteered to help collect and sort the insane amount of trash that would be created over the four festival days. Camper's were provided with garbage and recycling bags at the gate, as well as color-coded bins that were spread through the campgrounds for recycling, compost, and garbage to help alleviate some of the Green Team’s work. Next, we went outside and met the most beautiful old ladies ever! These ladies were the founders of Old Hippie Recycling and they set up the on-site sorting facility and waste transportation; fortunately one of two composting facility’s in Illinois was just 15 miles away. These pretty hippies and the Green Team worked effortlessly all weekend sorting the trash into the three groups, all while smiling!

Vanessa also informed us about the biodiesel generator’s that were used for all the electrical needs. Together with Caterpillar engineers, the generators were approved to use B20, which is a fuel mixture made of 20% biodiesel. Another side-note, was that all vendors were required to use biodegradable plastic-ware. Although this was a great step forward on Summer Camp’s part, I felt like the vendors could have done some more promo with it. The various times that I had purchased food from vendors, I was never informed that they were compostable or how to dispose of them. Maybe informative signs for vendors to display or more pressure on vendors to inform their patrons, just an idea. I’ve also gotta say that I was not enthused by the food being offered. Although a good portion of vendors were traveling from within 50 miles of the campground, I was happy that I had brought most of my food to the festival. Not because the food being sold didn’t taste good, but there were not very many health-conscious choices. On a more positive note though, Summer Camp would like to offer some sort of a farmers’ market next year. Whoot!

So, here's what I think. Summer Camp is headed in the right direction. As their third year of officially going GREEN, they have undertaken a lot of projects which have helped to take giant leaps in reduction and to become as earth friendly as possible. Now, I think the biggest next-step is, YOU. If you’re anything like me, since you were a child you have never been able to deny the feeling of void when good times are coming to an end. As festivals come to a close, I’ve always thought that if we could eliminate that picture of imploded tents, broken sunglasses, and miscellaneous useless items thrown across the campgrounds, that we might be able to dodge that feeling.

Well, until moe.down limbo is over, I hope everyone is conscious about the food they are packing and the products they vote for as the festival season continues. Lets try to be as mindful as possible of the environment. Pay your fine, do your time.

See ya'll at moe.down!!

Bee well,
Courtney Lang

Healthy Hippie Tip of the Day...Stretch and Feel the Joy!

2010-05-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

2010-05-20T07:51:00.001-07:00

Review: Animal Liberation Orchestra at Higher Ground in S Burlington, VT 5/19

2010-05-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

When I was checking out Higher Ground's calender I got so excited when I saw that Animal Liberation Orchestra was coming to town. My fiance Dan and I LOVE ALO and are constantly listening to their CD's on repeat. I was surprised to find out that they were playing the Showcase Lounge which is the smaller of the two rooms at Higher Ground. I was shocked because I thought for sure that they would be playing the big room to a sold out show. I did feel special getting to see such an intimate show though.

Everybody that attended was given a treat...a treat of not only fabulous music, but a treat of fabulous showmanship. ALO brings it and they don't hold back at all. One moment that sticks out to me was when they started to play one of my favorite songs "Girl I Want to Lay You Down." They didn't play it the normal, super sexy laid back way. They played it the polka way with Zach Gill on accordion! I mean seriously. It doesn't get much better than that! Well...until they encored with "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince.

I'm thinking that part of the reason that this band has so much fun on stage and that energy is exploding out of all their pores is that they live healthy lifestyles. Most of the time you see the bands drinking beer or whiskey on stage. Not ALO...at least not at this particular show. They were drinking GT's Kombucha and water.

The crowd was eating up every note they played and every word they sang. There were many sing-a-longs happening. This crowd was not the crowd I expected. I was expecting a lot of screaming, Jack Johnson fan, college girls that were under 21 to be at the show, but what happened was actually the opposite. Most of the people in attendance were in their 30's and were ready to rock out to a band they haven't seen play in Burlington for years.

My only complaint about the show was that I wish it was longer. It's not that they played a short show, it was that it was so good I wanted more!!!

Quotes from some fans:

Sara W from Waterbury, VT: "It rocked! I'm so glad I finally got to see these guys."

Live Music Beth from Burlington, VT: "So much fun! Happy to have these guys back in Burlington. I love Vince Gill. Haha." (Disclaimer...I accidentally called Zach Gill, Vince Gill and she was making fun of me)

Dan W from Burlington, VT: "Wow! Why did it have to end so early? It was so much fun. Play more Vince Gill."

By Taraleigh soon to be Weathers

http://www.alomusic.com

Review: The Chocolate Conspiracy Goji Bar

2010-05-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

Dan and I invited our friends Shannon and Sage over for dinner and I told them about the magic that is The Chocolate Conspiracy and they were intrigued and told me they had to taste it. I told them the only way they were allowed to experience something so awesome was to blog about it for the Healthy Hippie.

This is what we all thought about it....

Taraleigh: This was my favorite flavor of all the chocolate bars. I love goji berries and this one was delicious. I feel better and healthier from eating this bar. This kind of chocolate is more nourishment than something that will cure you chocolate craving. I highly recommend. Yum!!!

Shannon: Melted smoothly in my mouth, but I would have enjoyed a big glass of fresh milk with my vegan treat. Goji berries added added natural sweetness, but it could have used something creamy.

Sage: The chocolate had an immediate taste of cocao with a strong bitter flavor. The taste shifted quickly to salty - but was lacking substance in the center palette. I felt the chocolate could have benefited from a higher level of coconut milk.

Dan: mmmmm. That was good. I usually don't like dark raw chocolate but this was good. Not too bitter and had good flavor. Each bite I want more. I recommend giving it a try.

Interview: Matt Butler from Everyone Orchestra and Hot Buttered Rum By: Jonathan Blake

2010-05-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Our good friend and healthy hippie Jonathan Blake (aka Crazy Red Beard) had a conversation with the leader of the Everyone Orchestra and drummer from Hot Buttered Rum, the one and only Matt Butler. They discussed being healthy and more green on the road.

Don't miss you chance to see Matt Butler perform with Everyone Orchestra this spring and summer.

CRB: As a performer, I often find it difficult to make the healthiest eating choices when constantly on the go. How do you manage this when touring/performing?

MB: That is a very true statement and I do my best. My Iphone has been a god send. I can find health food stores near where I'm playing. Eating raw kale has been my way of balancing out the unhealthy foods I eat along the way like at airports. I have to say that airports are getting better with having choices other than hamburgers. Eating kale, carrots and fruits helps keep me in balance and grounded.

When I'm touring I have to say that my weakness is sweets. Sugar is my drug of choice in the way that I miss my family so I want something sweet.

CRB: Are there any must have travel foods for your and your crew?

MB: I like to have dried fruits and nuts at all times. If needed it can be a meal. With Hot Buttered Rum we say that when there are carrots, juice and pitas backstage the show is better. It's like you're home. I try to keep those things on hand.

CRB: Do you currently, or do you currently plan to try to lessen your carbon footprint when traveling? As a live painter that traverses many states in a given year, I often feel guilty about this...

MB: It is a conundrum for me right now. Obviously when doing Jam Cruise...we did a private show to make money to plant trees to offset the carbon footprint of Jam Cruise. Last year I did over 160 shows between Everyone Orchestra and Hot Buttered Rum and about fifteen of them were in my hometown of Portland. We might be one of the last generations to live like this. It's still affordable to fly to New York for a couple of shows. It might not always be like that. I always try to purchase carbon offsets for my traveling which is basically planting trees. I've gotta say that I take more than I give in that respect right now. I'm not turning down any gigs if I can support my family. It's a constant tradeoff. Currently I'm investigating ways to do more of what I do on a local and regional level so I don't have such a large carbon footprint.

CRB: Do you and your band mates make time for physical activity and fun on the road?

MB: When I travel with EO I mainly travel by myself and I play tennis and do yoga. I bring my racket and I have people I meet with in towns to play tennis with. With Hot Buttered Rum everyone in the band is a runner. We plan kickball games to get people moving their bodies. When you are deep into a 2 week tour it gets harder to get your ass up and going because of lack of sleep. It always helps to get up and do that stuff.

CRB: Any super delicious travel recipes you want to share?

MB: I love to wrap spicy Thai food in raw kale. It's my favorite. It is the perfect meal. Our garden is starting to grow and we haven't had to buy greens at the store. We plant mostly kale. Kale is the most nutritious food. The first recipe my wife made me was steamed kale with macaroni and cheese and it changed my life. I am so happy my kids love it too!

CRB: For me, one of the toughest things to do when on the road is maintaining a semblance of balance with personal health; spiritual/mental/physical. At least one area tends to be lacking for me. Do you put a lot of thought into this or do anything special to prepare for times when you won't have access to exercise, meditation or other mental activity, or spiritual practices?

MB: To be honest I approach those moments with apprehension and fear but I tried not to go into it like that. When things are crazy I do whatever I can to make sure my family is settled, well and happy. If I set up everything else in my life I can focus better and feel clear. I do simple breathing to feel grounded. Sometimes I drink coffee when I'm tired, but if I take some time to breath backstage I feel so much better, grounded and sane. I try to get a massage. Festival massage can really make or break a performance. It helps me be a vortexual facilitator for Everyone Orchestra so I can be in tune with where everyone is going and feel where there energy is at.

CRB: Any general advice on green and happy living for other bands/performers?

MB: Taking time between tours. In the 90's I was always on the road. All my stuff was in storage and I lived in a van. Our ability to project out the glory of music was marginalized because I wasn't grounded into any one community. There is so much to be said to be grounded into an intimate family and community and to go out into the world and project that. There are so many musicians that don't take time for their families. You have to keep the home fires growing to make everything feel worthwhile.

CRB: Weirdest road food?

MB: Meat fried lasagne. They breaded the lasagne and then deep fried it. It was really good but I regretted it. The whole band was like, "Woah" and we all couldnt' move on stage.

CRB: Ever get frustrated with the lack of healthy options at rest stops/travel plazas?

MB: Yes. I don't have too many high hopes for those places. The more you travel the more you learn about where the good places are. I have been using my IPhone more and more to find the good places. Sometimes it's hard to turn down the donut at 3am. You just want some joy somewhere even if it makes you sad later. That is why I carry dried nuts and fruit in my backpack to try to cut down on that. I'm guilty of eating hamburgers at fast rood restaurants now and then when there is a food emergency.

CRB: Do you guys manage to recycle while traveling? If so, how?

MB: HBR does on the bus. We have paper and cans and bottle recycling. We scramble to dump it at the right spots when we find it. At a large EO show we demanded that the theater recycle and we brought in our own crew. At the end of the night we saw that the theater had thrown all of our recycling bags into the regular trash. They didn't know what to do with it. We don't demand it at this point but we do encourage it. I travel with a water bottle. I limit to one paper coffee cup a day.

CRB: You are really making a difference to inspire other musicians and music fans to be a little healthier and more green. It was very inspiring that you were so honest. I know that our readers are going to relate to you and learn from you.

MB: Oh good!

Everyone Orchestra Tour Dates

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Hodi's Half Note
Fort Collins, CO

1. Matt Butler
2. Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band)
3. Kyle Hollingsworth (String Cheese Incident)
4. Jamie Janover (Zilla)
5. Steve Kimock
6. Garrett Sayers (The Motet)
7. Dave Watts (The Motet)

Friday, May 21, 2010
Quixotes True Blue
Denver, CO

Saturday, May 22, 2010
Quixotes True Blue
Denver, CO

Sunday, May 23, 2010
Early Acoustic Show
Quixotes True Blue
Denver, CO

Monday, May 31, 2010
Furthurmore
River Ranch Campground
Tuolumn, CA

1. Audio Angel
2. Dave Brogan (Animal Liberation Orchestra)
3. Jans Ingber (The Motet)
4. Nat Keefe (Hot Buttered Rum)
5. Steve Kimock
6. Dan Lebowitz (Animal Liberation Orchestra)
7. George Porter Jr.
8. Aaron Redner (Hot Buttered Rum)
9. Melvin Seals

Friday, July 09, 2010
All Good Music Festival
Masontown, West Virginia USA

Sunday, August 08, 2010
Summer Meltdown Festival 10
Whitehorse Mountain Amphitheater
Darrington, WA

Saturday, November 13, 2010
Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival
Suwannee Music Park
Live Oak, Florida

http://www.everyoneorchestra.com

Blog: Oil Pulling with Taraleigh

2010-05-10T05:35:00.001-07:00

As I write to you I have a mouthful of cold-pressed sunflower oil in swishing around in my mouth. I am performing the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling. The point of oil pulling is to pull out toxins from you body and to heal your cells. Oil pulling has been known to cure many diseases and problems like leukemia, headaches, bloody gums, obesity, stiff joints, allergies, constipation, high blood sugar, bronchitis, chronic infections, and more!

To do this, you take one tablespoon of organic, cold-pressed sunflower or sesame oil and swish it around your mouth for 15-25 minutes making sure not to swallow it. It will pull out toxins from your body and form a white milky liquid in your mouth. That liquid is extremely toxic. When you spit it out after the time is over make sure to clean your sink. You want to perform this when you first wake up before you have eaten anything or brushed your teeth.

When I first put this in my mouth it was not pleasant. I thought, how can I do this for at least fifteen minutes? I kept myself busy by writing this blog and the time flew. When I spit out the oil it was thick and white! My teeth felt like I had just brushed them and my teeth looked whiter...and this is the first day I have tried this. Woah!

The first signs to know that this practice is helping you is you will notice that your teeth feel strong and white. You will also feel relaxed when you wake up, the dark circles under your eyes will start to disappear, your appetite will balance out, you will have more energy, you will have more energy, and sleep deeper. How awesome is that!?!?! I will keep you updated on my progress.

This practice has been known to cure a disease from anywhere from 2 days to a year...and all by swishing oil in your mouth. If you feel like this sounds crazy, which I have to admit it did to me, try it yourself.

Remember you are responsible for your own body and know what is good for it.

I can't wait to report back on what happens to me from oil pulling.

Recipe: Cinco de Mayo Easy Bean Dip

2010-05-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

This recipe came about because I was invited to a Cinco de Mayo potluck party and I didn't prepare or leave myself a lot of time to make something. This recipe is easy, healthy, delicious, and the crowd will love it!

Ingredients:

2 cans organic spicy refried beans
1/2 can water (use refried bean can)
1 jar salsa
2 cups shredded organic cheese (I used pepper jack)(Can substitute vegan cheese)
2 avocados mashed
1 can sweet corn drained

Directions:

Empty the refried beans into a serving casserole dish
Mix in water to thin out the beans
Mix in all other ingredients except for the avocado
Smear the mashed avocado on top
Bring to the party
Drink a real juice margarita (virgin if you don't drink or are under 21)

2010-04-30T07:35:00.001-07:00

Review: EOTO Metronome Burlington, VT 4/29

2010-04-30T06:59:00.001-07:00

When I arrived at Metronome on April 29th to see EOTO, there was a huge line out front. The show featuring Travis and Jason from String Cheese Incident was sold out and there were tons of kids under 21 looking for a ticket to get in so they could shake their groove things. When I walked into the newly designed Metronome it was perfect timing...the two men were just about to take the stage. The crowd was fabulous! Everyone was very into the music and you could tell they were letting it take them away to far away lands. That is just where Travis and Hann want them to be. I saw people twirling glow sticks, hula hoopers, and tons of people rockin out like there was no tomorrow. That is what EOTO does to you. You can't help it. It doesn't matter if you have class at 8am or have to work in the morning. It was all happening at Metronome and being there was the best place on earth at that moment in time.

Thank you EOTO for sharing your passion with Burlington, VT!

EOTO's Website

2010-04-23T13:55:00.001-07:00

Review: Bassnectar Higher Ground Burlington, VT 4/21

2010-04-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

I was on Facebook on Wednesday and I realized by reading many excited statuses about Bassnectar coming to Higher Ground that I forgot to get tickets for the show...and it was sold out. I accepted that I might not be going. That afternoon I was walking into town to meet Dan for lunch when I saw this huge bus that said "World Sustainability Tour" on it. I knocked on the door and a guy came out and invited me on. I said, "How do I not know about The World Sustainability Tour in Burlington?" The man told me that it was Bassnectar's bus. He showed me around and informed me of all of the changes they had made to the bus to make their tour more green. The bus was equipted with solar radiant heat, bamboo floors, solar hot water, etc. I set up an interview with Bassnectar and left the bus with 2 passes to the show. Woohoo!

I am now a huge Bassnectar fan. Not only is he awesome because of his eco-consciousness, but he is awesome because of his music. The way he plays with sound and the crowd's energy is amazing. At one point I heard 8 different tracks going at one time. Everyone in the building was going crazy from start to finish. We were all going crazy obviously because of the sounds Bassnectar was mixing and also because watching him make music is so fun. His energy is soooo contagious! Get your ass to a show asap and make sure to save your hearing and bring ear plugs.

http://www.bassnectar.net

Video: How to Green Your Shower

2010-04-22T07:44:00.001-07:00

Review: The Chocolate Conspiracy Mint Chip

2010-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

We had another party and decided that it would be the perfect time to sample the Chocolate Conspiracy Mint Chip Bar. Here are our reactions...

Taraleigh: I love mint and I love this bar. It is very raw and natural tasting and that is why I love it so much. I would have to say that have a piece of this bar is the perfect after meal treat. My stomach is happier now that I have eaten this.

Dusty: First, I've never had raw chocolate before, so I was not sure what to expect. So, to be honest, it was a little rough for me. However, that could be because I was expecting a little more sweetness (like milk chocolate). The mint favor was good though, and I did not mind the overall flavor. As someone who is just growing to tolerate dark chocolate, this is probably as close to a thumbs up as you're gonna get. Nice work.

Melinda: I really enjoyed this yummy chocolate. I have never had raw chocolate and I loved the texture and the balance between mint, honey and cocoa. The first taste was somewhat overpowered by the bitterness of the cocoa but the few bites after that were perfect. My one request is that you try to source Fair Trade Certified cocoa, vanilla and any other ingredients you can - whenever possible. I love the packaging and logo so much too.

Dan: It definitely takes some getting used to eating raw chocolate but once you do it tastes really good. It is a bit gritty. The mint isn't too overpowering which is nice. With each bite it tastes better and better.

Get your own!

http://www.eatchocolateconspiracy.com

Healthy Hippie Tip 4/21 Superfood Smoothies!

2010-04-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

Video: Healthy Hippie Tip of the Day for 4/20

2010-04-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

The Chocolate Conspiracy Maca Bar Review

2010-04-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

I invited a couple of my friends to taste the Chocolate Conspiracy Maca bar and here are their reactions.

Tim: Powdery and yet melty, many flavors but not overly complex, tastes a bit fruity even though no fruit inside, feels like its roots are in superfood though it is not the raw zing that cacao brings usually. It makes my heart race but the high isn't very long lasting. I feel like it has potential for vitality but it's not quite enlivening yet.

Journey: (disclaimer: I'm addicted to chocolate) This is a dark chocolate lover's chocolate. The taste starts with an earthy bitter chocolate, and melds into a bitter berry (like unripe raspberry) and finishes very dry and bitter. I'm not sure of the health benefits of all of the ingredients of this chocolate bar, but I would recommend it for a simple melt-in-your-mouth treat!

Dan: Very different taste. Takes some getting used to. Has a slight gritty feel probably from the maca. At first I found I wasn't sure i if I liked it but after a few bites I found myself wanting more. It is definitely one of those foods that as you eat more of it you want more of it.

Taraleigh: Honestly I didn't like the first bite. It kind of tasted like dirt, but in a kinda good way. Then I had a second bite and it was a little better than the first bite. I took a third bite and I was sold. I loved it. It is amazing how when you are having a food that your body wants it starts to taste delicious and you want more and more. That is how it was with this chocolate. I am now I huge fan and am excited to finish typing so I can go eat more!

You can order your own at http://www.eatchocolateconspiracy.com

Recipe: Nutty Monkey Banana Bread (Gluten-Free)

2010-04-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

Nutty Monkey Banana Bread

Gluten Free!

Try this favorite from the Holistic Health Coaches of Monkey Business Retreats!

What's a Monkey Business Retreat? It's a fantastic Costa Rican vacation for coaches and counselors who want to create a wildly fulfilling and successful wellness practice, all while causing the preservation of the monkeys of Pacific Costa Rica.

Ingredients

1/2 cups of ripe mashed bananas (3 bananas)

2 cups of Pamela's Gluten-Free Baking Mix

1/3 cup ground flax seeds

1/2 cup raw honey

1/3 cup organic butter or coconut oil plus 1 tsp extra to grease the pan

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 eggs (free-range organic)

1/2 cup chopped walnut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pan with butter or oil

2. Warm butter or oil and raw honey in a double boiler to a liquid consistency

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all wet ingredients (honey, egg, vanilla, butter/coconut oil)

4. Add in flour, ground flax and walnuts

5. Beat all ingredients vigorously until blended together

6. Pour contents into greased loaf pan

7. Bake 55-60 minutes

8. Insert toothpick into center of bread. When it comes out clean you are done!

Enjoy!

2010-04-05T20:08:00.001-07:00

Pretty Lights 4/4 Higher Ground Ballroom Vermont

2010-04-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Let me start this review by sharing that I am no longer a spring chicken. When I found out that Pretty Lights weren't taking the stage at Higher Ground Ballroom in Burlington, VT until eleven at night I was concerned that it was past my bed time for a Sunday night. Usually on Sunday night I am curled in bed reading Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants on my way to dream land. This Sunday night was different. Pretty Lights was in town and I was excited to find out what all the buzz is about.

I walked into the venue just as Pretty Lights started their set. I looked around and I've gotta say, I felt pretty old. It was an all ages rager where most of the people were under 21 and sporting a new style of high top sneakers, flat brim hats, skinny jeans, and cut off t-shirts. Wait...actually that isn't a new style. It's kinda how I dressed in the eighties. I didn't know it was back! It didn't matter if you were eighteen or eighty, this was a show you were going to enjoy and for the next 3 hours you weren't going to stop dancing even if you tried. One bonus of all ages shows is that there is never a line at the bar. One downside is that there is always a line for water.

What Pretty Lights does to music and to the crowd is an amazing thing to hear and to watch. They have this amazing back drop that is made of millions of pretty lights that change into cool designs and images. It really ties the whole thing together. Add in the way they mix beats, choose unique songs to sample, dance around, add in live drumming and feed off the crowd and you've got something really special and we all felt it. We felt lucky to be there and to be part of the show. It really felt like the crowd was another member of the band...and we showed up and played our best show to date. I'm pretty sure Pretty Lights did too.

If you get a chance to see Pretty Lights on their tour or at the many festivals they are booked at this summer do it!

By Taraleigh

Snoe.down Through Chris Paul's Eyes

2010-03-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

Chris Paul has an amazing eye and he captured all of the beauty and high energy that was a part of this year's Snoe.down. Rutland and Killington were both prepared for all of the Moe.rons that took over their towns last weekend. There was no traffic and no issues that I was aware of. It was a beautiful event!! I mean, what festival do you get to rock out to the likes of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Railroad Earth, The McLovins, Hot Day at the Zoo, Assembly of Dust, Lynch, Moonalice and of course Moe. and shred down a mountain in the sunshine at the same time? The answer of course is Snoe.down!!!!

Moe. pulled out all the stops and made sure that all of the festival goers had the best time ever...and we did!! Thank you Moe.! Thank you Rutland! Thank you Killington! Thank you Chris Paul for capturing the magic.

by Taraleigh

Stir Fry Party!

2010-03-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

I love having people over for dinner and making a meal that has a little bit of love from everyone in it. One of the best ways to do this is to have a Stir Fry Party! When I have this type of party I provide the sauce (tamari and ginger), tofu, brown rice, oil, the wok, and some veggies (onion, garlic, mushrooms, and sprouts). I ask the guests to bring veggies to add to the stir fry. Depending on the time of year, you can even get some home grown veggies that were freshly picked from the garden.

Try having a Stir Fry Party of your own and let us know how it went.

How We Got an Interview with Ed Begley Jr.

2010-02-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

by Taraleigh

Hopefully you have all checked out the Feb/March Issue of The Healthy Hippie Magazine. If you haven't, CLICK HERE

Here is the story of how I got to interview Academy Award winner and star of Living With Ed on the Planet Green Channel, Ed Begley Jr.

I watch Oprah everyday. Partly because I think she is so inspirational and partly because I imagine myself being on her show. Anything is possible right? One day Ed Begley Jr. was on the show talking about all of the things he does to make our world a better place and to keep it beautiful for generations to come. I thought to myself, "He should totally be in our magazine!"

So when the show was over I immediately went to Ed Beley Jr.'s website and found the contact me section. I told him how I saw him on Oprah and that I think he would be perfect for our magazine. Almost immediately I got a response directly from him. He said that he would love to do an interview and he set me up with his brand manager so we could schedule it.

A month later I called Ed Begley Jr. at home! When he answered he said, "I have really been looking forward to this interview." I did a dance and tried not to scream. He was excited about talking to me?!?!?! I was so excited to be talking to him. The interview went awesome and he answered all of my questions with a lot of passion. This man is the real deal. He was green before green was cool. In fact he used to get made fun of by all of his celebrity friends. I introduced him to Michael Franti and Spearhead and told him about the Rothbury Festival (which to my disappointment isn't taking place this year). We had great conversation and I felt so blessed to have this time with him.

My point to this story is that anything is possible and you will never know if you can have something unless you ask for it.

Tuesday, February 2nd is Woodchuck Day in Vermont!

2010-01-29T08:38:00.000-08:00

For a few years now, folks throughout Vermont have been holding various Woodchuck Day celebrations on February 2nd – the most notable being the WDEV Woodchuck Day Competition and live broadcast at Rusty Parker Memorial Park in Waterbury. Phil and the folks in Pennsylvania haven’t been the biggest fans, but hey – in Vermont we do what we want! Because in Vermont, a woodchuck is a hearty Vermonter, a Vermont made hard cider, and an animal sometimes referred to as the groundhog.

So, folks at WDEV, Woodchuck Draft Cider, Ski Vermont, and a collection of Vermont ski resorts and Vermont restaurants have joined together to help make Woodchuck Day the official holiday celebrated in Vermont on February 2nd! We’re hoping additional Vermont media will come on board and help us spread the word to all Vermonters – February 2nd is Woodchuck Day in Vermont! And, as legend goes, the woodchuck will look for his shadow – and we’re rooting for six more weeks of great skiing and riding in the state that owns winter in its original state!

Woodchuck Day Celebrations will be taking place throughout next week beginning with the Woodchuck Day Competition at 7 am at Rusty Parker Memorial Park in Waterbury and ending with some fantastic après ski parties next weekend at resorts such as Jay Peak and Mount Snow. A complete list of events is available at http://www.facebook.com/#/events.php?oid=114033046024&vm=all.

And please encourage Woodchucks to help Woodchucks by donating to the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation. Financial donations can be sent to WDEV - 9 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT 05676.

Pre-Sale Camp Bisco Tickets on Sale 1/29!!!!

2010-01-28T05:28:00.000-08:00

Britt, Dan, and Taraleigh living it up at Camp Bisco 8!

THE DISCO BISCUITS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR CAMP BISCO 9
3-DAY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
IN MARIAVILLE, NEW YORK JULY 15-17, 2010

More Stages Added

Featuring 3 Nights of The Disco Biscuits and Over 50 Acts From Around the World

$115 Pre-sale 3-Day Passes

Tickets On Sale Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10a.m.

The Disco Biscuits will continue the tradition of bringing cutting edge acts to Mariaville, New York, when Camp Bisco 9, the ninth annual three-day music and arts festival, returns this July 15-17, 2010. As hosts of Camp Bisco, one of the country's largest and longest running electronic/rock music festivals, the Disco Biscuits have continued to bring a myriad of talent to the scene in recent years, including: Nas and Damian Marley, Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi, Thievery Corporation, DJ Shadow, MSTRKRFT, The Roots, Asher Roth, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, STS9, Girl Talk, Shpongle, Younger Brother, Bassnectar, and !!!. This 2010 lineup will include three nights of the Disco Biscuits with over 50 more acts from around the World.
Camp Bisco 9 will once again be held at the picturesque Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville, New York. The venue is located approximately 20 minutes travel time from Albany, New York and sits on 200 acres of rolling, grass fields. Additionally, Camp BIsco 9 will be expanding this year to include: a second stage in the main field, an improved location for the DJ and late night dance tent - complete with a surround sound system, a local artists stage and a performance art stage.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale Friday, January 29th at 10 a.m. for a limited time only and begin at $115. A second tier of early bird tickets will be available in limited quantities, Friday February 5th at $135, before general admission tickets are offered starting at $155. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $175. All inclusive VIP packages will be available this year. Tickets are available online at www.campbisco.net or by calling 1-800-594-TIXX.

Camp Bisco 9 is promoted by MCP Presents and hosted by The Disco Biscuits, who's upcoming release, Planet Anthem, will be out on Diamond Riggs Records March 16th.

Visit http://www.campbisco.net for the most up to date information.

Products We Love! Upcycled Wine Bottles from COWHORN Vineyard

2010-01-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

COWHORN, a small Applegate Valley winery whose early releases are earning big national praise, just sent its first shipment of 1000 used wine bottles to The Green Glass Company where they will be upcycled into heirloom goblets, pitchers, tumblers, vases, and votives. From the Mayor of New York to the King of Spain, Green Glass Company goblets can be found on the dining tables of wine lovers the world over who want to enjoy new wine in old glass.

In a complementary program, the Ashland Food Co-op, Southern Oregon’s first and only Certified Organic retailer, has partnered with COWHORN, the up-and-coming wine region’s first and only Certified Biodynamic® estate winery, to convert used corks into reusable, compostable wine packs guaranteed to contain a minimum of 99% recycled content. Corks collected at the Co-op’s Ashland store and the estate’s Applegate Valley tasting room are sent to Corvallis-based Western Pulp, a company known for making high-quality biodegradable packaging and planters from recycled pulp.

At COWHORN, even the soft metal bottle cap covering the cork gets a new life through Rogue Recycling. The winery invites Rogue Valley residents to recycle torn tins and natural corks from any winery and used COWHORN bottles at its Applegate Valley tasting room.

“Everything in nature flows in cycles, and there really is no such thing as waste,” says Barbara Steele, co-owner of COWHORN Vineyard & Garden. “It’s not enough for us to endeavor to grow great grapes and produce world-class wine. Being Biodynamic is also about closing all of the loops and that means taking responsibility for our packaging. We provide our local community a way to upcycle glass and recycle corks, and hope to inspire other wineries and wine lovers to do the same in their region. One of the greatest aspects of the emerging Biodynamic wine world is that there is genuine spirit of friendly competition in an all out race to the top to do the right thing.”

You can learn more about Cowhorn Vineyard in the next issue of the Healthy Hippie Magazine coming out in Feb! If you are not a subscriber please send an email to taraleigh(at)healthyhippiemagazine(dot)com with the subject free sub.

For more information

http://www.COWHORNWINE.com
http://www.Demeter-USA.org
http://www.GreenGlass.com
http://www.WesternPulp.com

Dopapod Set to Rock Burlington!

2010-01-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

Rock the Resort Rocked My Socks Off

2009-12-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

When I heard that there was an indoor festival happening on my way home from seeing Phish at Madison Square Garden I knew I had to check it out. Rock the Resort took place in Kerhonkson, NY at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa outside of New Paltz on Dec 4-6. The ride there was a little sketch since it had started snowing and the road was hilly and windy to get there. They actually closed the road behind us so many performers had trouble getting there and the schedule was a little out of whack. The staff handled it very well and if you never looked at the schedule you wouldn't know that things weren't happening when they were supposed to.

Some bands that were featured were Lettuce, Tyrone Wells, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, DF Logic, Rubblebucket Orchestra, Jaden, Skerik, KRS-1, Melvin Seals and JGB, Zach Deputy, Break Science and much more. A bonus of this festival was that all the artists were stuck at the resort and were hanging out at the restaurants, the bar, or on the couches in the lobby.

As a healthy hippie I love to focus on the healthy, happy, and green aspects of festivals. Here is what I saw at Rock the Resort.

They had many food options for the Rock the Resort guests. Skerik even told me they had a good tofu dish on the buffet.

In the artist hospitality room they had some fruit as well as veggies and dip so the performers wouldn't go on stage hungry

There were couches for the rock stars to talk about rock star stuff.

Not only was the festival kid friendly...

but it was dog friendly too!

People got their exercise by dancing

by racing down ramps on roller chairs

and by hoopin!
Now some shots of the music

Healthy Hippie Digital Magazine Dec/Jan

2009-12-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

We're sorry, your browser doesn't support IFrames. You can still visit this item., however.

The Egg Higher Ground Ballroom South Burlington, VT by Katherine McNamara Photos by Simon Yugler

2009-11-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

The Egg flawlessly melds instrumental and electronic music to create an ethereal groove. The music gains momentum until it overtakes the venue in ambient vibrations. Earthy base thumps below intermittently funky guitar licks and fantastical electronic meanderings. Already wildly popular in the U.K., The Egg has stepped into the U.S. scene with quiet grandeur, steadily building a reputation from silvery explosive performances at festivals like Echo and venues across the States. The undulating crowd evidenced the growing buzz surrounding the group at Higher Ground on November 4th.

Seldom does an opening act elicit so much fire. If an unsuspecting Lotus fan wandered into Higher Ground early, they were certain to be struck by the lightning storm The Egg conjured there. The sound had seemingly boundless energy, like a rogue wave that flowed between band and crowd, able to swiftly usurp the floor from any unsuspecting feet. Guitarist Matt White carves out enigmatic melodies alongside Ben Cullum’s inventive bass, enhanced by Ned Scott’s superb dance on the keys, and Maff Scott’s vibrant drum beat.

When I, playing devil’s advocate, asked keyboard and vocalist Ned Scott what he would say to a more traditional fan, less inclined to appreciate the electronic aspect of their sound, Ned replied that, just like instruments, electronic equipment “are all tools. Using computers doesn’t necessarily mean not having a human groove. The timing is live – we feed off of the audience.” His brother, drummer Maff Scott, added that navigating electronic music is like operating within “a grid, you can bump anywhere within it – how you break, and where you adjust the volumes prevents the music from sounding rigid.”

Certainly, their music is anything but rigid. The Egg is currently on tour with Lotus. They are working on a new album with Benji Vaughan (better known as the extremely talented Younger Brother).

Do not miss this deliciously elusive sound that delicately fuses shimmering tunes with unstoppable beats.

By Katherine McNamara

Photos by Simon Yugler

EOTO Review Mishawaka Amphitheater by Dave Halchak

2009-11-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

EOTO Mishawaka Amphitheater August 14th

EOTO is a band that is constantly evolving, everytime I see them, they seem to expand their sound, their approach of the music, and yes, the crowds continue to grow. Friday night at the Mishawaka Amphitheater was no exception to this general rule of EOTO. The show started off with a dubstepish vibe and I can tell already they've technologically advanced with sample processing and especially their overall sound. Whomp seems to be the theme of the night. Seems like this was what everyone wanted and was hoping for as they strolled up to this beautiful venue on the crisp August night. As the night goes on, it becomes refreshing to hear different "virtual" instruments being used along with live instruments. Overall, this was a very deep, dark set though they do finally break into a nice trancey jam about an hour in which really gets the crowd moving. On a night like tonight, it's very refreshing to hear LIVE intsruments being used in this genre of music. EOTO of August 14, 2009 is very different from EOTO of last week, and EOTO of last year, but in a lot of instances, I believe that is what continues to bring folks back and wanting more.

peace,Dave

Phish, Festival 8 - Indio, California - Night 3 - The Final Frontier

2009-11-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday.

Brilliantly, Phish slotted an early afternoon acoustic set. Upon arrival fans were seated and fanning themselves from the blazing heat. I sacrificed being close to the stage for the first few tunes for iced coffee. The half hour wait was plenty worth the pick me up.The boys were arranged on stage completely opposite as they were the night prior with Fishman stage Left. After a gorgeous The Curtain With, Mike questions if we are all sitting because we want to or because we have to or because of "peer pressure". I was sure after standing for so long the night before folks just wanted to enjoy the grass. The venue was glowing with happy shiny people donning remnants and reinterpretations of the night before'sdisguises. Fishman had railroad chatter solo during My Sweet One and the vocal harmonies were pristine. Let Me Lie is one of my favorite new songs. I've heard it several ways now and hearing it stripped down lie this really showed its vulnerability. Bouncing was reignited with some extra Page doing bass work on the lower register of his piano. Trey chimed in with a few recognizable strums introducing an unplugged version of Wilson that the crowd cheered heavily for. Closer to the close of the set Trey commented on the fact that he was told to ask us all to sit down, but he decided against it because he can't sit still, hence Mike's earlier inquiry regarding our sitting.

Acoustic Set:

Water In The Sky, Back On The Train, Brian and Robert, Invisible, Strange Design, Mountains In The Mist, The Curtain With, Army of One, Sleep Again, My Sweet One, Let Me Lie, Bouncing Around The Room, Train Song, Wilson, McGrupp

Encore: Driver, Talk, Secret Smile

With what we thought was "so much time" before the next set we took the trek back to our hotel in Palm Springs. After a moment or two by the pool we realized that we were approaching show time so we headed back from the hotel to the venue. Sadly we realized while driving in that they had begun already. We really weren't situated in our spot until Guelah Papyrus. Undermind proved to be quite refreshing as it was totally retooled with reggae and Cajun notes. This crowd was somewhat subdued like a post work Tuesday happy hour, well to be fair it was more like a Thursday crowd. Several times during the set the huge egg pod torches reacted to Phish's vocals and licks. Sparkle ignited a few glowers to duty. SOAM was lovely, with the boy's nailing golden notes; I couldn't help but have a beach boy moment.

Electric Set 1: AC/DC Bag, Rift, Gotta Jibboo, Heavy Things, Reba, The Wedge, Guelah Papyrus, Undermind, Sparkle, Split Open and Melt

During set break we made our way to watch the ballgame on the dedicated sports screen. World Series fans were abound and with a score of 4-2 yanks, fans sang take me out to the ballgame which proved to be one of those stunning moments for me.

The final set of the weekend opened with an explosive tweezer that weighed bass heavy. Trey took his blazer off to get looser revealing a black T-shirt. A Maze enlivens more glowstickers. Sadly a sure indication that a festival is winding down is that all of the high intensity glow sticks have already been spent and tonight it’s down to the basic dollar store variety. The crowd was battered by sun and the long weekend, but seemed comfortable nevertheless.

Some of the initial installations were wrapped up and their stories and extravagancies coming to a close. Page danced over an organ solo to round out the epic Maze and really brought the tune to a huge full James Browneque level. Free was quite cathartic. Mike had a fat funky solo and Trey had emerged with a full black tea shirt swagger. They looked liked they are getting younger by the minute. Another new delight is Mike's playful sugar shack. Limb by limb came off to me a little cold but came to mount with some awesome pyrotechnic interplay.

To my excitement, I heard the beginning tremblings of a 2001. This call to space donned some seriously disgusting synth and mind melting balloon dna-like illusion work above the crowd. The synergy and unique frequency phish reached could have called UFOs. Throwing in a dangerous Slave, the entire scene had become a full cauldron bubbled over and simmered back down with an Esther and closing naturally with a Tweezer Reprise.

Set 2: Tweezer -> Maze, Free, Sugar Shack, Limb By Limb, Theme From The Bottom, Mike’s Song > 2001 > Light > Slave to the Traffic Light

Encore: Grind, Esther, Tweezer Reprise

After a name naming thank you address from Trey, it was over. Just like that, everyone was hushed out of the concert field.

The weekend wonderland Phish created was now over.

I've been to a lot of festivals, small and large. I had never been to a Phish festival before either, and for a Phish festival this was small in attendence. I give this festival an A+. Every aspect of this festival was well managed, executed and produced, Parking/Traffic, effective staff, Clean and well equipped... I could go on.

It has been quite a journey so far and I've a few of my own thank yous:

PHISH - Thank you for this chance to do something amazing with my time.

Thank You:

Ken, Camelback, Ben and Jerry, Iced Coffee, Various Pairs of Comfortable Shoes (Chacos, Crocos, Convos and Flippos), Trader Joes, Penut Butter and Honey, Coachella Valley Native Americans, Sunscreen, Jamba Juice and Phish's Awesome - Wrist Bands, Lights, Artists, Vendors, Cops, Volunteers, Fans and thank you Healthy Hippie for the voice.

Best Ever,

BethKaya

Phish, Festival 8 - Indio, California - Night 2 - All Hollows Eve

2009-11-01T16:23:00.001-08:00

Saturday.

We split from our hotel around 3, and got into the venue around 345. The field was hot and littered with the beginnings of people’s costumery.

There was a signifigant amount of walking involved on this campus with several vigourous security checkpoints. Naturally that has its pros and cons. Major delays will make af ew tempers will flare, especially when someone's going through your things and your favorite band is already playing. Having not received a map or bill of the event yet, I was eager to receive a Phishbill, mocked up as a Broadway playbill. The second page revealed the secret album teaser, Rolling Stones - Exile on Main street. Now, I am a stones fan, but sadly a newbie. I was rooting for MGMT, but surely glad to experience Phish take on the stones.

Set I (Afternoon): Sample In A Jar, The Divided Sky, Lawn Boy, Kill Devil Falls, Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil, Runaway Jim > Possum, Run Like An Antelope

The afternoon set was mild and accurate. Dare I say standard fare, but I've nothing bad to say. It felt like good day festival music. After the day set we took to the campgrounds to survey the living scene. Shakedown tended to operate in pockets and the majority seemed to be t shirts and stickers, as glass is not welcome in these parts due to horse hoof sensitivities. After enjoying the sunset and temperature cool-off it was time to head back into the main field for set 1 of the evening festivities.

Costumes began emerging out of tents to be tweaked and adjusted in car mirrors and windows. It's really something to see people putting their creative energy into an identity for 1 night. Couples, kids, staff, groups of friends, in masquerade sporting packaged costumes, 3D concepts, politics and current event in style. It’s a portrait of the times and with the stage Phish has set, everyone is part of the show. The lights dimmed to Thriller splashing over the audience. Quickly on the lcd monitors a video montage pulsed to a 99 album tribute mash up that really got the crowd pumped and in a dancing spirit. Phish walked out and started in on their journey with interpreting this epic album.

As rumored 3 horn players stepped out and brought the show to a bright and soulful place. Sharon Jones joined soon thereafter and elevated every note to a new place. Naturally Loving Cup was a crowd pleaser and really kicked off an evening of intense glowsticking.

Set II (Night) - The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St.: Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Shake Your Hips, Casino Boogie, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Sweet Black Angel, Loving Cup, Happy, Turd On The Run, Ventilator Blues > I Just Want To See His Face, Let It Loose, All Down The Line, Stop Breaking Down, Shine A Light Soul Survivor

I have to admit to being at a loss of too many words. The album was quite long, it was well attempted and ...nice? Their spin was safe and lent for some real opportunities for Trey to wail and Mike to bring a bluesy bass to life. I was however pretty ready to hear some Phish tunes again.

After a refreshing sit-down and another round of taking in the pyrotechnical delights of the surrounding fields we headed around the rim of the crowd to try to make our way to the front. After a valiant attempt and a few pauses we decided to park about 8 rows deep. Phish returned and looked energized.

Set III : Backwards Down the Number Line > Fluffhead, Ghost, When the Circus Comes, You Enjoy Myself
Encore: Suzy Greenberg

This set was really great. The fluffhead injected everyone with party-time and from then on it was a constant rise to excellency. Ghost got really spacey and funky. YEM was perfect, and Trey gave a little shake of the finger at us while jumping on the trampoline after nearly tripping mid hop. Suzy may have been my favorite tune of the night, the vocalists and horns from set I returned and helped close the entire evening with a fiesta.

Today’s acoustic set was very early so I will review Sunday on Monday so I can squeeze a little pool action in. Its near 95 degrees today and the sun is blazing. Can you only imagine if it weren't November now?

Phish, Festival 8 - Indio, California - Night 1 - Halloweve

2009-10-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

"Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop". - Lewis Carrol

Phish has given us a lot over the years. For those who understand what it means to put yourself through a great deal for a reward of musical bliss, Festival 8 is a freeway to a new level.
Like many of you HH readers, I've traveled far and wide for Phish. I've been to states that I may have never seen in my lifetime, cities I would not have even batted a lash at, and burned more vacation days then I've ever meant to; all for this love of creative perfection.

Over the last month, the band gave us hints and teasers as to what we could expect to hear and see at this reunion of massive proportions. This time - they've simply outdone themselves. In a sea of festival threats that include inclement weather, venue mishaps, traffic and parking mayhem, Phish has solved all of this with one swoop - California. The weather is steady, and meets expectations.

The backdrop of palms splashed with lights, draping canopies and pyrotechnic art lend for an atmosphere that is a David Lynch film set in a Dr. Sussean daydream kissing the nightmare before Christmas.

The final 8 albums teased are the names of each surrounding campground and the final pinnacle of speculation regarding what album Phish will play on Halloween.

Here is a layout of the festival grounds, and the final 8 listing.

David Bowie Hunky Dory

Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland

King Crimson Larks' Tongues In Aspic

MGMT Oracular Spectacular

Prince Purple Rain

Radiohead Kid A

Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street

One can gather the overall vibe in each campground. Electric Lady Land and Hunky Dory seemed to be the neighborhoods offering a buzzing blanket of animation and arterial flow leading to the main spectacle grounds.

The crowds are quite diverse, and so far have been family friendly. There is nothing like a happy healthy hippy child enabled to explore their imagination alongside adults. The grass is high end carpeting, and no blanket is needed to enjoy a seat on the ground.

After checking out the vending scene, snagging some PH8 gear - and viewing the metal welded masterpieces in daylight on the great lawn, the first set broke out at 8:05ish. Party Time - is there any other way?

Phish looks HIGH DEF. They are polished, and pristine. Mike's hair was a silver helmet ready for action. Page beams from dimple to dimple, save for those moments of fury on his western piana and '70s funk synthwash. Trey's golden hair and smile fade in and out of his jaw dropping lashings on his frets. Fishman looks crisp and flannel can't look more pressed, then on Phish.

Set I:

Party Time, Chalk Dust Torture,The Moma Dance, NICU, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Stash, I Didn’t Know, Poor Heart, Cavern, Beauty Of A Broken Heart, Ocelot, Time Turns Elastic

Set II:

Punch You In The Eye, Down With Disease -> Prince Caspian > Wolfman’s Brother -> Piper -> Joy, David Bowie, Harry Hood, Golgi ApparatusEncore: Character Zero

During the sets we ebbed and flowed from back at the amazing metal tube sculptures, pumping with gas and searing engines backfiring to rather close to the front. The lights danced throughout a 360 degree fantasy land down to the ground where little hippy field mice crawled at your feet collecting glow sticks to toss in a bouquet or to stick them to their attire. If you weren't glowing - you were invisible.
This place is well executed.

Tonight's goal is to get all the way to the front. This crowd seems ready to participate and contribute to the pageant with their energy and their costumes.

Until Tomorrow -

BethKaya

Festival 8

2009-10-31T06:59:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Beth Kaya will be posting her reactions to Phish's Festival 8 on our blog so stay tuned!!!!

Rachel Stampul at the Radio Bean

2009-10-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbuxSihSuQg

Check out Rachel Stampul live at Radio Bean. She is a beautiful, powerful, faithful, and fabulous person whose voice matches those qualities. Joni Mitchell has nothing on Rachel.

Wormtown Music Festival Worming it's Way into the Hearts of Kids

2009-10-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

Wormtown Music Festival
Worming Its Way into the Hearts of Kids
Article and Photos by Erin Connolly

This year’s Wormtown Music Festival was once again another wonderful event thrown at Camp Kee Wa Nee in Greenfield, Massachusetts! It was a weekend filled with amazing weather, music, and friends! While attending over a dozen festivals at this camp, I have watched the camp continue to grow and improve. The most noticeable improvements being the 2 brand new cabins that the camp plans to use as new performing arts and arts and crafts buildings, but during Wormtown events they are the late night cabins! These cabins easily hold 3 times the amount of people than the old cabins did, so finally the party can move from outside the cabins to the inside, which comes in handy on nights when the temperature dips into the 30s!

While purchasing some ice, I had the chance to talk to Ron Wood, executive director, about some of the benefits of holding Wormtown events at the camp. I was proud to hear that about 40% of the camp’s annual funding was provided by Wormtown Trading. Prior to Wormtown holding festivals on the grounds, the campers did not have access to a good portion of the camp, including the creek, due to lack of paths and massive amounts of poison ivy. Over the years Wormtown volunteers have carved paths through the wooded areas (to make sure we have a place to pitch our tents) and opened up 80% more of the land for the campers. Thanks to the funding from Wormtown Trading combined with the profits from the ice and t-shirt sales, the camp has been able to keep their rates the same for the last 3 years while continuing to provide more services than other local camps.

It’s heartwarming to know that the fun times I have had at this camp have provided amazing experiences to the local children. Wormtown events are ones that you can feel good about attending, not only for the fun you’ll have, but the fun you’ll provide to dozens of children!

...and now the photos!

The new and improved late night cabins

The creek that is now accessable to the campers thanks to Wormtown events

Taraleigh hanging out at the official camp store

Executive Ron Wood and the gang

Wormtown camper Jason enjoying walking on a path made by Wormtown volunteers

AO! Sale

2009-09-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend a very cool store called AO! (Arentzen & Ohlander) in Burlington, VT is having a 2nd Very Artsy Sale on Friday Sept 25th from 11-5 and Saturday Sept 26th from 10-4.

Find future gifts and that hand made glass you have always wanted...for a lot less money! Prototypes and odds and ends with extra charm...

404 Pine Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-540-0223
http://www.aoglass.com