Vermont’s Affordable Roots/World Music Fest Family Getaway (July 17-19)
VERMONT MUSIC FESTIVAL THE MANIFESTIVUS – A FUN-FILLED, AFFORDABLE FAMILY WEEKEND JULY 17-19
Children 12 And Under Attend Free At Family-Run Roots and World Music Festival on Cabot Site of Longtime Summer Camp
Fans Of All Ages To Hear Toubab Krewe, Oumou Sangaré, Barrington Levy, Midnite, Black Sheep and Earle “Chinna” Smith And Enjoy Outdoor Fun on 93 Rustic Acres
Brother and sister David and Jaime Pransky grew up on a family farm in Cabot, Vermont (60 miles east of Burlington), where their mother Judy founded the Laughing Turtle summer camp 30 years ago. So when the Pranskys first started a summer event on the farm called Festivus for the Restivus that featured Bonnaroo favorites Toubab Krewe, in which David plays bass, it was natural that they’d include children.
Seven years later, Festivus, now called The Manifestivus, will run for three days and two nights July 17-19, and includes legendary performers from all over the world: Toubab Krewe (called a “distinctive, remarkable fusion” of West African traditional music and American rock by Billboard); Mali’s Oumou Sangaré (who The New York Times dubbed “a beacon — incandescent, steadfast and reassuring”), Jamaica’s chart-topping dancehall star Barrington Levy, St. Croix’s critically acclaimed Midnite, New York City’s old-school alternative hip-hop duo Black Sheep (the first hip-hop act to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno), the Jamaican guitarist Earle “Chinna” Smith, who has played with both Bob and Ziggy Marley, Boston’s beloved nu-jazz/ funk/ hip hop Jazz Criminals and a Saturday night afterparty led by laptop remix pioneer DJ Holla.
The festival is entirely homegrown, and for the Pranskys and producing partner Carlo Rovetto, that means that children are always part of the mix. Of the 1500 Festivus-goers in 2008, more than 200 were under the age of 13. Kids 12 and under attend the festival free when accompanied by one or more adults, and there are many activities besides the performances families can enjoy together, such as workshops in the music of Africa and the Caribbean, Yoga in the Woods, art classes and a puppet theater.
There’ll be lots of outdoor fun too, including wagon rides and hikes through the woods, a basketball court, a bubble-blowing extravaganza and a bouncy house. There’s a scenic pond with a sand beach, a shallow, roped-off kids area and changing rooms, as well as water and sand toys, life jackets and small boats. The property also offers a mini water park with a pool, water slides and a lifeguard.
A designated quiet camping area will be available, as will childcare, massage, medical care, security, authentic African and Ital food, and water. An energy-saving sound system and LED lights use only a fraction of the power used at most festivals. Families with children under 3 can request free onsite parking (availability limited).
Pre-sale weekend tickets are available now for just $65 per adult for a limited time, as are VIP packages and single-night tickets, at http://www.themanifestivus.com
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Sabu School in Conakry, Guinea, a children’s school for Sierra Leone refugees.
Jaime Pransky, mother of four-year-old Eden Rose, says of The Manifestivus family-centric approach: “For me, a festival can be no other way. A family vibe is always the most happy, joyful and holistic. We’ve worked hard to bring families together to provide creative exposure to world culture.”
For more about The Manifestivus and to buy tickets, visit http://www.manifestivus.com/
Families with children under 3 requesting on-site parking should contact info.manifestivus@gmail.com
