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Hi Everyone, THANK YOU! The 1st annual Black River Music & Art festival was an overwhelming success! All the hard work that went into planning the festival was well worth it. The day ran almost smoothly, with only a few minor problems, all 21 of the bands sounded incredible, and everyone had fun. It was estimated there was well over 1000 people that attended the festival. We could not have asked for a better start to a new annual festival. I want to take this time to thank some people, without which, this show would never have happened. First off, to Alan, my co-conspirator in this plan to turn Chester into a rock fest. I'm not sure either of us knew what we were in for back in January when he e-mailed me and told me that Chester was interested in putting on a music fest, and would I be interested in helping plan it. Throughout the last 7 months we worked side by side, trading e-mails, ideas, sharing the duties of making this idea into reality, and even some venting to each other when things weren't going our way. It's been a pleasure working with him on this festival, and I look forward to working with him again. Everyone knows neither one of us could have done it alone LOL! To my wife, Naomi, who was not only cool enough to put up with me spending a lot of time working on this festival, but also pitched in and made a lot of phone calls and did a lot of research. That help was invaluable, and I cannot thank her enough. And to top it off, at the actual festival, she ran around all day with her video camera, recording part of everyone's set. That was above and beyond, and will give all of us a lasting memory of the day. Thank you honey. I love you! BTW - The video will be compiled and should be viewable soon on the web. I will let you all know when that happens. Thank you to all the bands that played. I didn't get to watch every set (I soon will be able to see some of everyone's set on video), but I know everyone played great and kept the audience entertained, and set up quickly and kept to their allotted time, allowing the show to stay on schedule. It's been a pleasure working with all 21 bands, and I hope to work with you all again soon. Special thanks go out to the following three bands: Dirt Road 14 - When the backline equipment showed up late, to stay on schedule, Dirt Road 14 actually played in front of the stage un-amplified (except for an electric guitar), and not only sounded amazing, but gave us a memorable opening to the festival. Wiser Time - While I was not there to witness it, the power went out several times during their set (due to circuit breaker issues). Wiser Time was very understanding of the situation, and dealt with it like the professionals they are. Echofission - Not only did they play the fest, but they also donated their gear as backline for the WRSU stage for the day. That made the day go much smoother on that stage. Thank you guys! Jared Migden - When I contacted my friend, and music director for WRSU, to MC one of the stages, he not only jumped at the opportunity, but he also made WRSU into a great forum to promote the show, and stuck around to help clean up when the show was done. Kevin - For setting up the after party, and supplying the sound system for the Tepperware.net stage. And to anyone else I may be forgetting, THANK YOU! Peace, Lazlo |
the Black River Music & Art Fest comp CD
The Black River Music Festival will be a FREE day-long outdoor music event in Chester NJ on Saturday August 19th featuring three stages and some of the best local musical artists in a variety of styles... Click here for more info on the Album of the Month |
ARTIST | SONG | ALBUM |
drown | counting backwards | |
Kate Sikora | 10 hours | grace in rotation |
Lazlo Saturday - The Comrades, The Heshers, Six To Eight Mathematics @ the Underpass ...(more) |
Jim
Testa Friday - Readymade Breakup, Tommy Strazza & The Model Citizens, The Head Set, Adam Streicher & The Molotov Cocktails @ The Court Tavern Saturday - Groucho Marxists @ Desmond's Tavern ...(more) |
Gary
Wien Saturday - the 2nd Annual Rock 'n Roll Up Your Sleeve benefit show @ Two Rivers Theatre ...(more) |
Jared
Migden Friday - Huma @ Pussycat Lounge Saturday - The Anderson Council @ Magnetic Fields ...(more) |
MONDAY AUGUST 21ST |
The Subterraneans | Manitoba's 99 Ave. B NYC |
WENESDAY AUGUST 23RD |
Alana Q | West Side Bar &
Grill 1145 McBride Ave West Patterson |
THURSDAY AUGUST 24TH |
Cafe Arabica 78 Speedwell Ave Morristown (973)984-2300 |
|
Napa Valley
Grille Garden State Plaza Paramus |
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Super Satellite | 95 Stanton St NYC (212)358-1633 |
Otto's Shrunken
Head 14th St (between ave A & B) NYC |
FRIDAY AUGUST 25TH |
1208 Route 34 Aberdeen |
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Blue Moon 114 S Broadway South Amboy |
SATURDAY AUGUST 26TH |
1039 Washington St Hoboken |
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158 Market St Elmwood Park |
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Kabuki Killers |
Magnetic
Fields 97 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY |