Eighteen youth rock bands and solo musical artists from around New England will take the stage at 118 Elliot in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont on Saturday, September 23 for BrattRock 2017, the second annual Brattleboro Youth Rock Festival. Performances will take place on two stages, one indoor and one outdoor, between 4:30 and 11:00 PM. Gates open to the public at 4:00 PM. In addition to six continous hours of live music, the festival will feature food vendors, arts and crafts activities, and games. All are invited to attend this fun-for-all-ages event.
The goal of the festival is to support youth musicians from Brattleboro and the surrounding region by providing a venue for them to connect, learn, perform, inspire, and be inspired. Registration opened in the spring to solo performers or bands with all members under 20 years of age. Performers submitted an online application including a sample performance video.
Last year’s inaugural event drew over 400 attendees, and festival organizers anticipate the audience to grow this year. “Word is getting around that this is a really fun and special event,” said festival organizer Dave Ross. “These are serious, accomplished musicians, and the energy they bring to their performances is contagious.”
Advance tickets for this year’s event are available online via the BrattRock website at www.brattrock.org. Prices are $10 adults /$8 students. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Youth Services.
BrattRock’s organizing committee is proud to present the final performer line-up for BrattRock 2017. From Vermont: Biodegradable, Impending Exorcism, Nomad vs. Settler, Notion, Oak Grove Blues Band, Dixie, Third Dimension, Outer Space. From New Hampshire: Sophie Waters, Wicked Thirsty. From Eastern Massachusetts: Fourshadow. From Western Massachusetts: Felixis Jinx, Kalliope Jones, Parlicium, Raspberry Jam, Shrodeur, Rool Bunk, Troubled Times. Performer bios and a stage schedule are available on BrattRock’s website.
In addition to performing at the festival, youth musicians will participate in hands-on music workshops offered by area music educators Eugene Uman, Aaron Chesley, Samirah Evans, Kevin Parry, Dan Seiden, Peter Siegel, Molly Steinmark, and Zeb Hildreth. Workshop descriptions available at www.brattrock.org.
The idea for the event was born after the 2015 Youth Services Battle of the Bands competition in Brattleboro, when some parents of participating musicians proposed a similar non-competitive event for youth musicians. Executive Director, Russell Bradbury-Carlin approved the plan for Youth Services to act as BrattRock’s fiscal sponsor, allowing festival organizers to raise funds under Youth Services’ non-profit status.
In 2017, BrattRock has received grant funding from the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, and the Vermont Arts Council. Sponsors include Guilford Sound, the Vermont Jazz Center, Youth Services, WKVT, WRSI, 118 Elliot, Oak Meadow, Hilltop Montessori, the Brattleboro Retreat.
Event co-founder Jaimie Scanlon said, “We hope everyone will come out on September 23 to support the many talented young people from around the region who will be gathered in Brattleboro. These young musicians have worked so hard to get here and deserve to be celebrated. This year’s line up features a great variety, with a number of new acts, as well as many who are returning to play again. The kids are all super pumped to play. It’s going to be an incredible show.”
That is a boatload of people
With 18 musical acts to “take the stage at 118 Elliot in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont, September 23…” where the performances “will take place on two stages, one indoor and one outdoor, between 4:30 and 11:00 PM. Gates open to the public at 4:00 PM. In addition to six continuous hours of live music, the festival will feature food vendors, arts and crafts activities, and games…”
that is a boatload of people (personnel) just for the stage, band, vendors and other related personnel. The street space and parking needed to accommodate all the stage and vendor activities alone must be gigantic.
Where exactly does the public fit in?
Elliot Street be closed from where to where?
Will the fire department have in/out access?
Join us for BrattRock!
Well, we did not have anyone come by boat last year, despite the steady drizzle. This year we are planning on a perfect weather day, but no matter what the Weather Channel says, the forecast is for an incredible experience, as we gather once again to honor the talented and accomplished youth musicians in our community.
Dig, if you will, the picture:
The roughly 400 attendees who came out to support last year’s inaugural BrattRock, ebbed and flowed comfortably (with ample dancing room) throughout the course of the six-hour event and enjoyed non-stop high-quality entertainment on the indoor stage at 118 Elliot, as well as the outdoor stage, which is conveniently located in the awesomely spacious lot behind the venue.
On festival day, this area behind 118 Elliot is magically transformed into a rock arena with the help of Green Mountain Tents, a large flat bed truck (a.k.a the stage), cool lighting effects, a steady stream of live music provided by area youth musical artists, and music fans of all ages getting into the groove. Vendors line the outer periphery of the lot. All of this eliminates the need for shutting down any part of Elliot Street.
Fans flow back and forth between the two stages and, with the carefully planned staggered schedule, can catch every single band if they so wish.
The Brattleboro fire department is located directly across the street, and they can come and go freely. In addition, the Brattleboro police department provided an officer to keep an eye on things last year, and will do the same this year.
BrattRock is a small organization with dedicated and passionate multi-generational volunteers who work hard to make this one-day happen. We are fortunate and grateful to enjoy amazing community support, and all of the youth involved are of top-calibre character and models for their peers.
We hope all will join us this year and bring friends (but leave the boat in Harmony Lot or the Transportation Center garage!) There are still several planning meetings remaining, too if anyone would like to help plan the event. Contact jaimie@brattrock.org for information on volunteering on event day.
Rock on!
BrattRock On!
Thanks Jaimie. I am mobility challenged so I’ll launch my personal drone to satellite feed the day’s events to my desktop.
Beats finding a parking spot. :~)
But I too hope all will join BrattRock this year and bring lots of friends.
BrattRockin' and Rollin'
I see. Well, I will make sure the drone gets on the guestlist. And if there’s anything we can do to accommodate your needs so that you actually can come and enjoy the event (if you want to, of course), please let me know!
"Rollin’ on a River"
Finding a parking spot nearby is difficult. It all depends on how much I have to walk. I would love to come. As you probably know this is the 50 anniversary of The Summer of Love. It would be cool to catch some performing acts this summer. If you have any ideas you can email me at – viddacrochetta@gmail.com
Thank you for asking!
ride
If you need a ride brother just let me know, be glad to accommodate your transport to and well maybe fro as I not sure how long I may stay. Les
To and fro
Thanks Les! Use my email to connect with me.
I’d probably stay the duration if I can out but lets talk about that. I might be able to get a lift back.
No problem, It's a ways off
No problem, It’s a ways off but look forward to meeting you, will make contact.
Until then
Great! I’ll look out for you. I’m looking forward to meeting you too.
BrattStock
50 years since the Summer of Love! And just look how far we’ve come…
BrattRock definitely brings back that loving feeling, and we hope it lasts all throughout the year until everyone can come back again for a refill in 2018.
Thanks to Les for kindly offering a ride — We do highly encourage carpooling, as well as other petroleum-free methods of getting to BrattRock.
Plus, as a venue, 118 Elliot has so many virtues, including no stairs!