Going green is all the rage these days – from recycled art, to oxygen bars, going vegan and organic produce. It’s no wonder that grassroots entertainment is following suit. Where green is the color of the day (Earth Day is April 22nd), Spartanburg’s Green Earth Party and Greenfield Excursion Music Camp are a match made in heaven….rock and roll heaven.
On Friday 4/27 and Saturday 4/28, The Antibodies, Greenfield Excursion Music Camp and CARMA, Inc. (chicks advocating regional music and artists), and a host of volunteers will present the Green Earth Party showcasing more than 25 musical acts, all volunteering their time and talents to bring together artists, musicians, promoters of sustainable living, holistic health care professionals and fans of organic, homegrown music!
The Green Earth Party is the brainchild of Tom Conder and the Antibodies, who have been putting on the show for several years now. Although it has always been held at the Music Camp, the annual event has grown from a 3 act show, into a 2-day, 20+ band festival. There will be music on the big stage from 6PM until midnight on Friday, 4/27, and from 1PM until midnight on Saturday, 4/28, with an acoustic-after-midnight stage (new this year!) near the bonfire both nights. Single day entry donations will be accepted but, heck y’all, shut off the cell phone (after checking in, of course), get away from the computer, pitch a tent and enjoy a night or two in the middle of unspoiled wooded acreage framed by the banks of the Pacolet River. You will feel miles away from the nearest paved road even though you will be only 5 minutes from I-85 and the way back to civilization. It’d be good for you!
The mammoth of a stage is a permanent structure set in a natural ampitheatre and has hosted such talent as The Belleville Outfit, The Duhks, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Waybacks, and don’t forget Justin Townes Earle and the Green Cards! Privately owned and lovingly preserved by John Featherston, the Music camp has been in operation since 1998, and it gets its name from, Myke McKenzie and his band, Greenfield Excursion. Playing a mix of 60s-70’s rock and roll, the band was formed circa 1967 and will be making their 3rd reunion appearance on Saturday night at 8PM.
There is a large covered and lighted area for the audience with a glider plane mounted above, tables, folding chairs, a boat, “Captain Budman”, that serves as an annex to the stage and green room (pun accepted) for the bands along with 2 converted buses and even a playground for the kids. The Spice of Life restaurant will offer some healthy food choices along with the standard barbeque and hot dogs provided by Ligon’s BBQ for those who are choosing to be a little naughty with their diets – hey, it IS the weekend, right?
The Antibodies, WITH The Pulse, (their 1960’s-costumed go-go dancers) will take the festival stage Saturday night with their brand of surf rock originals and covers such as, “Secret Agent Man”. Tom Conder, the Antibodies’ lead singer, might be the only one more serious about living green than Kermit the Frog – trust him, it ain’t easy being green. In previous years, he and the Antibodies have planned and executed the parties to deliver and live the message, even going as far as personally sorting every bag of trash.
Grenville based bands, The Bent Strings, Wasted Wine, Tonight’s Noise featuring Matt Fassas and Sam Kruer, and Archer Vs. Gunman will be performing. Asheville’s Richie Tipton, Charlotte’s The Monterreys, Liberty Street Blues Band and The Shades from Union will join Spartanburg bands Marc Higgins Band, Van Dangs, the Consumers, Milgram’s 27, Mark Dawson Group, Matthew Williams and the Witnesses, Local Honey, David Ezell, Rohn Jewell, Travis Smith, and the bluegrass trio, The Grass Messengers.
Donations will be accepted for single days as well as for the entire weekend. Camping is encouraged and there is no fee for staying overnight. So, slip into your Earth Shoes, pack your energy bars, your tent, your cooler and your boogie shoes and get on out to The Green Earth Party! Do it for yourself, your rock and roll heart, and, by all means, for your mother. Mother Earth, that is. You’ll be glad you did!