Music and arts festival

2/7/08

By Matt Vercillo
Critic Staff

It certainly seems as if the wheels of LSC are in motion these days as plans are made for a regional arts and culture festival.

With many new projects and additions to the college already in sight, the college is planning another exciting attempt to expand the school’s horizons. In a collaborative effort with Ginn Resorts, LSC is planning an ambitious new project. The event is still in the early developmental stages, but some core concepts have been established.

September saw the introduction of Burke Mountain’s first annual fall music festival, which was headlined by the successful Vermont-based band Grace Potter and The Nocturnals. Expanding on the ideas and success of Burke Mountain Music Festival (which will remain as a separate, distinct event), this new festival would incorporate a similar format, but also add several other elements of entertainment that reflect the cultural diversity of the community. In addition to music, there will be other artistic and theatrical performances and exhibits.

Inspiration for the festival is actually being drawn from a preexisting event developed by Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. ASU established the event known as “An Appalachian Summer Festival” over twenty years ago. Since then the festival has blossomed in to a prestigious and successful tradition. Over the years, the festival has hosted a wide variety of performers including Willie Nelson, Doc Watson, Arlo Guthrie, and Bruce Hornsby; as well as various theater productions, dance performances, and art exhibits.

The new festival would not necessarily follow this archetype as far as the types of performers it books, but is drawing more influence from the goals Appalachian State established when creating their event. LSC and their partners are interested in ASU’s desire to establish an event that would make their institution more visible, help in setting a high standard of class and excellence reflective of the institution, and draw more people to the institution and area that may not come otherwise.

Right now, the goal is to draw around 3,000 people to the event, based upon the size of the school and the population of the area. The timeframe for the event would consider other local events as to not draw any attention away from pervious traditions and established events in the community. The idea is that the festival would occur late in the month of June.