VISALIA's SECOND ANNUAL HARMONICA FESTIVAL - October 2, 2010

Here are a bunch of details for this year's event.

WHAT: The Harmonica Festival "Harmonicas & Hot Dogs" is a no-cover-charge, no-contest, no-fee, no-prizes, exhibition-only get-together. Family-oriented fun for current and future fans of the "tin sandwich". These are intended to be fast-paced open-mic harmonica sessions. Approach your slot as you wish, and consider mixing together the following ideas:
() Educate and inform the audience by explaining your background, equipment, song history, and such - you needn't be playing ALL the time.
() Demonstrate special techniques in solo fashion, or perform songs or phrases as a solo.
() Utilize the house backing band (all volunteers). Drums, bass, keyboard, and guitar - they're experienced and diverse (blues/funk/jazz/rock). Feel free to share 3 copies of your chord chart or lead sheets to enhance your togetherness on-stage.
() accompany yourself on guitar or bring any ONE accompanist (remember set-up time!)

WHEN: Saturday October 2, 2010 - noon to 5pm . We plan TEN minutes (max) for each player (setup and performance). If you have a lot of set-up time, you'll perform less. Depending on the actual number of players, there may be additional rounds of ten-minute solos, jams, further harmonica demonstrations and the like. Sign-in when you arrive, so we can arrange your slot time. Generally, the more pro-level guys will let the newbies go first, hopefully making everyone more comfortable.

WHERE: The venue is Visalia Brewing Company & Steve's Place, 112 West Main in Downtown Visalia. It is a small yet comfortable casual family-friendly restaurant and bar in a vibrant downtown. At the entrance is a nice-sized brick plaza, suitable for catching some air and perhaps some sidewalk jamming. All parking is free, and if the street spaces are full, a city lot is around the back next to the rear entrance.
Did I mention small? It's our first year, and we'd rather be busy in a small space, than rattle around in some cavern. The PA system and mics are available, and you're welcome to bring your own. We have a few small tube amps available, for those who prefer that approach.

WHO: All ages, all skill-levels, and all styles. The festival is sponsored by low-power FM station KVLP 101.5, planned and run by local volunteers, so be kind to them, please. Steve's Place will serve its regular menu of pub-grub, and is also planning some October-ish specials for this event (yum).

WHY: We are promoting the diversity of music in Central California. We will be accepting unwanted donated school band instruments to be distributed to music programs in Visalia schools, and hope to collect a fair-sized stack of them. Receipts will be available for your instrument donation to this charitable organization.

Visalia's FIRST Harmonica Festival - 10-4-09!
It's done and gone for 2009. Photos of the event can be found on myspace and facebook, so look around. Unwanted school band instruments were donated - about $1000 worth. HARMONICAS AND HOT DOGS was yet another community service of KVLP.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[ In the COMMENT, please let us know what time is usually good to call you on the weekend? ]

Festivals always seem to run out of my size about ten minutes before I decide to buy a shirt. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU ! ! Even if you decide not to come to the event, our store (for a limited time, really) will supply your Harmonicas and Hot Dogs attire.

We have some cute cap-sleeve tees for the mamacitas - and baseball jerseys if you're still hiding the tat you got in the service. If you'd rather wait until October 3rd and see if we have any of your size/style/color in stock, it's ok, but no promises.

Check back later if you are a fence-sitter, 'cuz we'll be adding other items (totes, caps) to the store. Oh, did I link to the store yet? It's - -  H E R E .