The Final Harmony Festival?

[Braggi]

For those sitting on the fence about whether to go to the Harmony Festival this weekend, please make it a great big GO!

The Harmony Festival is in debt from a big loss last year. The attempt to go corporate last year didn't pan out so now it's going back to its all volunteer roots.

What this means is the Festival desperately needs to at least break even this year and hopefully will turn a profit. If it loses money this year, the 30th may well be the final year.

Harmony depends on you and me. Please come out and support a Sonoma County institution.

-Jeff

["Mad" Miles]

Hey Braggi / Jeff,

Based on what I observed yesterday from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. there is no fear that Harmony Fest is undersubscribed this year. In fact it was a total mob scene in the main stage area for Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. The largest crowd I've ever seen at H-Fest in my eight or so contiguous years of attendance. I left early to beat the crowd out and because my schedule precludes mid-to-late evening activity.

One guy I was talking to, a local boy who was there for the first time, was criticizing the "New Age / Retro Hippy Shopping Mall" (my term not his) aspect. But we know this is a perennial complaint.

What I found most telling was his point that, "there aren't even any environmental organization booths, it's all businesses".

I noticed my party, The Green Party of Sonoma County, didn't have its usual booth there in the EcoVillage. Is something going on with the pricing for non-profits?

Overall I had a good, tiring time. It's a chance to check in with favorite people that I don't see often enough. The music lineup is amazing. (I was dissapointed that George Clinton was scheduled for late on Friday evening. I wish he'd also played at the end of one of the day, early evening shows.)

The community vibe is the best. The pulchritudinous babe watching is unprecedented!! As I told someone, what I like about Harmony Festival is that for a brief time every year, it's possible to think and feel that there is hope for the human race.

Here's to another thirty!!!

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

[Eukaryote]

It looked like there were local groups in the Eco Village area, but granted not a lot. Do the sponsors do a push targetted at NGO's? With a crowd like that, I would think it a natural for getting info out, recruiting volunteers, etc.

Scot


Hey Braggi / Jeff,

Based on what I observed yesterday from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. there is no fear that Harmony Fest is undersubscribed this year. In fact it was a total mob scene in the main stage area for Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. The largest crowd I've ever seen at H-Fest in my eight or so contiguous years of attendance. I left early to beat the crowd out and because my schedule precludes mid-to-late evening activity.

One guy I was talking to, a local boy who was there for the first time, was criticizing the "New Age / Retro Hippy Shopping Mall" (my term not his) aspect. But we know this is a perennial complaint.

What I found most telling was his point that, "there aren't even any environmental organization booths, it's all businesses".

I noticed my party, The Green Party of Sonoma County, didn't have its usual booth there in the EcoVillage. Is something going on with the pricing for non-profits?

Overall I had a good, tiring time. It's a chance to check in with favorite people that I don't see often enough. The music lineup is amazing. (I was dissapointed that George Clinton was scheduled for late on Friday evening. I wish he'd also played at the end of one of the day, early evening shows.)

The community vibe is the best. The pulchritudinous babe watching is unprecedented!! As I told someone, what I like about Harmony Festival is that for a brief time every year, it's possible to think and feel that there is hope for the human race.

Here's to another thirty!!!

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

[VeronicaG451]

Well Miles, I take exception to your criticism of the shopping at the Harmony Fair. Each vendor pays a goodly sum to be at the fair, and many people go to the fair especially for the shopping. I attended this year, even though I was not very excited about the musical lineup, especially to go to vendors who come every year, and who I rely on for my wardrobe. It might seem too capitalistic to you, but it's the vendor booth fees that help keep the Fair in the black, as well as attendance. This not only supports local small businesspeople, but young artist/craftspeople and entrepreneurs who are trying to make it in a very competitive and difficult business.:Yinyangv:

VeronicaG451


Hey Braggi / Jeff,

Based on what I observed yesterday from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. there is no fear that Harmony Fest is undersubscribed this year. In fact it was a total mob scene in the main stage area for Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. The largest crowd I've ever seen at H-Fest in my eight or so contiguous years of attendance. I left early to beat the crowd out and because my schedule precludes mid-to-late evening activity.

One guy I was talking to, a local boy who was there for the first time, was criticizing the "New Age / Retro Hippy Shopping Mall" (my term not his) aspect. But we know this is a perennial complaint.

What I found most telling was his point that, "there aren't even any environmental organization booths, it's all businesses".

I noticed my party, The Green Party of Sonoma County, didn't have its usual booth there in the EcoVillage. Is something going on with the pricing for non-profits?

Overall I had a good, tiring time. It's a chance to check in with favorite people that I don't see often enough. The music lineup is amazing. (I was dissapointed that George Clinton was scheduled for late on Friday evening. I wish he'd also played at the end of one of the day, early evening shows.)

The community vibe is the best. The pulchritudinous babe watching is unprecedented!! As I told someone, what I like about Harmony Festival is that for a brief time every year, it's possible to think and feel that there is hope for the human race.

Here's to another thirty!!!

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

["Mad" Miles]

VeronicaG451,

Please reread my post. I was conveying the comments of someone else.

But it is a point I have heard from many others over the years (something I didn't mention in my previous post.)

The criticism is about the preponderance of commercialism, not the existence of it.

And yes, it is a criticism that I am sympathetic with, hence my forwarding it on.

Yet, if you look again at my original reply to Braggi / Jeff, it was mostly complimentary and supportive of H-Fest. Especially in the parts where I convey my own opinion and observations.

And I love the musical line-up. Although the only time I danced on Saturday was at the drum circle. Man! Am I out of shape!!!

Yours,

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

[decterlove]

Yes, I've always been strangely attracted to pulchritudinous women myself, Miles. I think it's their accent.

The dancing Boas finally went on strike last year for fuzzier meals and more pay per foot. Does anyone know if they got them? Those Boas are like total babe magnets tho I'll tell ya! If I were them I wouldn't complain about nuthin' rododential.

I've always thought Boas were pretty pulchritudinous too. I guess it depends upon your accent. Long live Weed D Theater!


Hey Braggi / Jeff,

The community vibe is the best. The pulchritudinous babe watching is unprecedented!!

Here's to another thirty!!!

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce: