Music, all weekend long!
On Friday following the keynote speech by our Guests of Honor (Oberon Zell and Deborah Lipp if you haven’t already heard!), Steven Posch will conduct an opening ritual to kick off the Third Offering Art Gallery – more on that in a future newsletter. But we know that the arts are myriad, and while some folks are more visually stimulated, others long for aural inspiration – music!
So starting at 9:30pm on Friday night, we’ll be featuring our “Front Porch” in the main ballroom. If you haven’t come to a Paganicon Front Porch before, the name says it all. It’s casual, homespun, friendly, and a good place to drink in some good vibes while listening to great music. Performers will include Graham and Becca Leathers, regular performers at the Siouxland and Minnesota Renaissance Festivals and SF conventions all over the country, playing an eclectic blend of traditional and contemporary folk and filk music; fellow RenFest regular and guitarist Rich Shepardson; and more. Drop by and join us anytime from 9:30 to midnight!
On Saturday, we’ll have various musical offerings in the Upper Atrium overlooking the pool area all day long. Take a break between presentations, workshops, or rituals to sit down, relax, and listen to great live music.
And Saturday night, of course, is our Equinox Ball: Embracing the Elements. The bands Crow Call and Unique Drive will kick off the party at 8pm, who, in keeping with our theme, unite the elements in the worlds of music, dance and technology.
Unique Drive will be providing a musical multi-media experience. With dancers and singers, and a unique fusion of musical talent and technical expertise, Unique Drive creates powerful, magical sounds and music that will resonate through the magic of the Paganicon Ball. They will be performing music from their recently released CD, Forever Dream. Throughout human history, even in the old ages, people used some form of instrument to create music as a means of entertainment. Though, is entertainment the only purpose for music in our lives? Maybe most of us never noticed, but music can affect our mood, our productivity and also the way we feel. We have entered in a new era in which music will play an integral part again. This powerful force can be used as a compelling catalyst for change, not only in expression, but in perception and action. Learn more and listen to their music at http://www.unique-drive.com/.
Crow Call is Ellie Bryan and Peter Ruddy, a folk duo from south Minneapolis that combines traditional Folk/Americana genres with minor chords and subtle metal influences. On the 5-string banjo and 12-string acoustic guitar they perform dark originals that draw influences from ancient mythology and personal experiences alongside old-time traditional songs, blurring the dichotomy of the old and the new; the traditional and the modern. Together they write deep, thought provoking music that transports the listener to personal place, as well as up-tempo traditional songs that transport the listener back in time. Learn more about them at http://crowcall.bandcamp.com/.
At 10-10:30 we’ll take a brief pause from the music to award prizes for best costumes – with audience participation, of course! And then the music resumes at 10:30 with a DJ playing all your favorite dance tunes from the ’70s to today, including plenty of danceable Pagan music as well. Let’s see how many people we can get to do the Time Warp in unison this year! So whether you like live music, Pagan songs, or your favorite hits, you’ll be sure to hear something you like at the ball this year!