Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival 2017 Lineup Announced
Donna The Buffalo has just announced the full lineup for the 27th Annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival in upstate NY. The festival continues to be one of the longest running festivals country. Founded in 1991 in Trumansburg, NY by members of Donna The Buffalo the festival offers a diverse range of bands that includes bluegrass, cajun, African, reggae, country, Americana, Native American music, old time music, irish music, jam bands, rock and roll, hip hop, rockabilly and more.
This massive artistic endeavor sprang from an unlikely source: A group of old-time musicians, horrified by the lackluster reaction of authorities to the AIDS crisis. They held a wildly successful benefit, one night back in 1990. Now, after more than two and half decades, this year’s Trumansburg festival runs July 20-23, 2017 and will feature 80 acts on four stages over four days.
For GrassRoots co-founder Jeb Puryear, one of the driving forces behind host band Donna the Buffalo, it was never just about a one-off show to raise some money. “We really wanted to get the local bands to be more community oriented. That was the initial idea. We wanted to bring the bands together and remove the entrepreneurial impulse that sullies the waters, then add the idea of benefiting the community.”
GrassRoots bands tend to lean toward the analog, the alternative or counter-mainstream sound. They may have close ties to a tradition or lineage, or powerful messages that stand out from the noise of fervent commercialism. They all tap the magical nexus of art, dance, education, and wellness. “We tend to book bands right before they’ve been discovered. That’s kind of our niche,” Monaco notes. “We do book headliners, but it’s not really about that. Someone might come to see a specific band, but will also leave loving another. GrassRoots is a great place to find your next favorite band.”
GrassRoots takes the educational facet of its mission very seriously, offering festival goers more than a quick peek or taste, but an extensive schedule of classes, yoga sessions, and other learning opportunities, all free of charge. Fans can immerse themselves in an entire Culture Camp prior to the festival, where they can learn from master artists and eat community meals together. “The culture of the festival isn’t about excessive partying, or passive sitting and listening,” Monaco explains. “It’s fun and positive and about having a good time and getting involved in the proceedings.”
Headliners this year include Donna The Buffalo, Rock and roll legend Del McCoury Band, Drive By Truckers, and Morgan Heritage. We’re looking forward to seeing GrassRoots staples Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, John Brown’s Body, Kevin Kinsella, and Keith Frank & The Soileau Zedeco Band.
In addition to 4 days of non stop music the festival also offers workshops, kids tent, food and craft vendors, beer and wine gardens, healing arts and yoga, band and instrument contests and much more.
Donna the Buffalo welcomes:
Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band – John Brown’s Body – Las Cafeteras – Mbongwana Star – Preston Frank & His Zydeco Family Band – Locos Por Juana – Mokoomba – DakhaBrakha – Sim Redmond Band – The Horse Flies – Campbell Brothers – Balfa Toujours – Uma Galera – Driftwood – Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad – Walter Mouton & The Scott Playboys – Sophistafunk – Big Mean Sound Machine – Los Texmaniacs – Gunpoets – Danielle Ponder & The Tomorrow People – The Blind Spots – Keith Secola & The Wild Band of Indians – Flying Clouds of South Carolina – Sihasin – Cortadito – Samite of Uganda – FABI – Jones Benally Family Dance Troupe – Elastic Bond – Root Shock – Jennie Stearns – Dara and Nikolai – Thunder Body – ¡Viva Mayhem! – Taina Asili – Barroom Philosophers – Stone Cold Miracle – Tenzin Chopak – Mosaic Foundation – Crucial Reggae Social Club – Mac Benford & Up South – Ithaca Bottom Boys – Empire Kings – Thru Spectrums – Richie and Rosie – Johnny Dowd – Hank Roberts – Kevin Kinsella – Western Centuries – Afrobeta – Bobby Henrie & The Goners – Moontee Sinquah – Bomb Pulse – The Grady Girls – Laila Belle – Aaron Lipp & The Slack Tones – Saint Mela – Uniit Carruyo – The Ladles – Kenny T & Wildfire – Travis Knapp – Bronwen Exter – The Cat’s Elbow – Bess Greenberg – Papa Muse – Sammus – Izzy True – Chris Corsano – Mr. McBean – Imperials – Toivo – Calico Moon – The Horses – Dead Sea Squirrels – Rt 13 – Bear Fox – Whistlin’ Dyl – Along the River – Bubba George Stringband – GrassRoots Chamber Orchestra