My Blog

Dear Travelers ~

Although slightly less than eight months away, the Captain and Crew of the 8th annual Forecastle Festival are proud to announce the lineups for the 2nd annual “Halfway To Forecastle” mini-fest, taking place Saturday, January 17th at The Green Building in downtown Louisville, KY. A portion of proceeds will benefit efforts to establish the first Lower Ohio Riverkeeper Chapter, a project inspired by Riverkeeper attorney and Forecastle speaker Robert. F. Kennedy Jr to protect and preserve our nation’s waterways. The project is being overseen by The Kentucky Waterways Alliance, a citizen’s organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Kentucky’s waterways through advocacy and grassroots awareness.

The music lineup will include DJ 2nd Nature, Buffalo Killers, Ekoostik Hookah, The Protomen, DJs Narwhal & A-Bell, Squeeze-Bot, and many more. The show will also feature an appearance by the winner of the JanSport “Battle of the Bands” competition, which drew over 1800 entries from across the United States, for a chance to perform on the West Stage of the 8th annual Forecastle Festival, July 10th – 12th at the Riverfront Belvedere.

The art component will be equally highlighted, with an exhibition from Julia Christensen titled Big Box Reuse. Supporting her book, Big Box is a road trip across America looking at what becomes of the spaces (”big boxes”) superstores leave behind when they abandon the building for bigger stores. From churches, retail outlets, charter schools, courthouses, senior centers and even spam museums, Big Box Reuse shows the many practical reuses of buildings that initially seemed suited for one function. Since the spring of 2004, Christensen has driven over 75,000 miles, visiting converted big boxes and meeting the people who are transforming these massive shells into useful structures for their community.

The activism lineup will include six Kentucky environmental organizations ranging from The Sierra Club to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, presenting interactive, educational exhibits for attendees to engage and enjoy.

Forecastle has again partnered with presenting sponsor Havana Cola and supporting sponsor Red Bull North America, who will provide an outdoor-themed film area featuring national athletes in an array of extreme environments across the globe.

Tickets are extremely limited, and will go on sale Saturday, November 15th exclusively at Ear X-Tacy Records. They are $12 in advance, $15 day or show. All ages. For complete lineup and ticket information, please visit: www.forecastlefest.com.

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Dear Friends ~

Greetings and welcome to the 2nd Captain’s Log of 2009. Our ship is still far at sea, with lots of behind the scenes planning and preparation for the 8th annual Forecastle Festival. We’ve also been consumed with the upcoming election, working for candidates that support sustainable environmental policies / practices / resource management, and will push this legislative agenda in Congress. The time spent away has been precious. Here is our October developments:

Music and Film submissions are now officially open.

To apply for a music showcase spot at Forecastle 2009, please visit: http://www.sonicbids.com/forecastle

To apply for a film showcase spot at Forecastle 2009, please visit: http://www.forecastlefest.com/submissions-film.php

There is a chance our organization may be joining forces with a strategic, industry leader in the upcoming weeks. We’ve met with several prospects over the past several months, and talks will continue throughout November. If and when something finalizes, we will be hiring personnel in several key areas. If you’re interested in coming aboard our ship, please e-mail: jk@forecastlefest.com

Forecastle is now on Twitter. To follow us, please visit: http://www.twitter.com/forecastle

The 2nd annual “Halfway to Forecastle” concert will be January 17th, 2009. Venue, line-ups, and beneficiaries will be announced following the election. Until then, please circle the date on your calendar. Last year’s “Halfway to Forecastle” featured performances from Band of Horses and VHS or Beta, raising over $5,000 for injured Louisville BMX legend Jimmy Levan. To see highlights of that show, please visit: http://www.forecastlefest.com/media.php

My last message is important: please vote Nov. 4th. We live in a country where representative democracy is at its best, despite the influence of money and lack of enforcement / oversight to our campaign finance laws. From an environmental perspective, we are a decisive time whose majority interest will determine our legacy. As much as we like to focus on other things, civilization is at a tipping point. The growing discrepancy between human needs vs. available resources is unsustainable, and will forever disrupt the delicate balance / homeostasis vital to ecosystems we depend on. This non-partisan issue affects all of us, and is not going away. It will be at the forefront of the next administration’s legislative priorities. It was part of the most recent economic stimulus package passed last month, and will likely be part of the second when Congress reconvenes this month. On Nov. 4th, we can choose leaders who will join other countries in implementing universal goals and initiatives, or choose to isolate ourselves further by refusing to act or fully recognize the problem. While acknowledging the impact our personal decisions and purchasing power has on the crisis, who we vote into office will have the greatest opportunity to fix it. In the past (8) years, so many environmental protection laws have been gutted, amended, or removed completely by our executive branch. We need to let the world know the United States is engaged and ready to re-join this global fight, and that business and sustainable policies can work side-by-side, creating jobs while improving lives. Express yourself Tuesday.

That is it, friends. While our ship remains out at sea, monthly “Captain’s Logs” will continue to arrive offering important updates on the January “Halfway to Forecastle” concert along with the main event next summer. Thanks again for your words and actions ~ jkm

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THE FORECASTLE FESTIVAL is where the Midwest connects™. Founded in Louisville, KY, the annual gathering is equal parts Music, Art, and Activism. A symposium for musicians, artists, and environmentalists, Forecastle connects the progressive Midwest. The 2009 fest is expected to draw 10,000 patrons to the Louisville Waterfront ~ part of a scenic, $60 million dollar riverfront investment which draws 1.5 million visitors a year. With national headliners and expanded line-ups, the festival will provide an unforgettable experience for all Forecastle travelers, converging in Louisville from the Midwest and beyond.
http://www.forecastlefestival.com