The Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival is an amazing experience. A small festival where the patrons and artists can mingle. It doesn't draw the big names like Newport, Philly, or even FRFF, but it brings in talented people nonetheless. This years lineup included
- Full Frontal Folk
- Urban Folk Collective
- The Nields
- Aztec 2 Step
- Sloan Wainwright
- Tanglefoot
- FRUiT
- We're About 9
- SONiA
That's the people I think you might have heard of. Go to the homepage and find the people you need to discover. it is a great place to expand your musical horizons. In the late evening when the main stage is over you are invited to join the artists in a song circle. You can just listen if you are a no talent clump like me or you can participate.
The Budgiedome was there but not many Fruheads just myself, LORi (like FRUiT & SONiA), Steve Martin, blunt object, and Flat tire.
It is a really special event. Far more relaxed and intimate than FRFF. It is like comparing an show at a large venue like Irving Plaza or the Troc, to one at a small one like The Point or the Living Room.
I have never talked to Ann Saunders at FRFF but I talked to Terry Irons every day at SMAF. I know my thoughts are being listened to.
Lori and I have mixed feelings about more people coming. Now we feel proprietary towards the festival but if more people don't come then it won't continue. I told SONiA and Terry I'd be promoting next year's festival and I figured I'd start here.
Don't just take my word for how good it is, I'm sure the others who were there this year will chime in too as will innocent demure flower who was at the first SMAF.