Hi All!
This will be my 6th consecutive year of 3-day passes for Rockygrass. It is a wonderful festival and is always one of the highlights of my year.
There is one issue that I just can’t figure out why they do it the way it is done. That issue is the fact that there is no area for dancing in front of the stage. Instead, this area is occupied most of the day by people who rarely move out of their chairs and empty tarps. The stage is high enough that there could be a great area for dancing without obstructing the view of those who wish to sit, yet dancers are sequestered off to the side or back behind the soundboard.
If I were a musician on the stage, I’m pretty sure I’d rather have people dancing and having a good time right in front of me rather than having to stare out at a bunch of people lounging in chairs (or worse, empty tarps.)
Am I alone in this? Anyone have good reasons for why it is done this way? Is it because dancin’ is the devil’s work? Is it some old bluegrass festival tradition?
On the note of tradition, the only other thing that bothers me about Rockygrass is the people who complain LOUDLY whenever there is a band that is a bit outside the narrow scope of a Monroe style bluegrass ensemble. I love trad. bluegrass, but I think the weekend is much better with a little more variety. There is ALWAYS room for evolution in musical styles in my opinion.
Anyway, I can’t wait for another weekend at Planet Bluegrass. See you there!
As far as dancin’ in front of the stage, I think tradition is the factor. Plus people go to great lengths e.g. the tarp line thing, to get a spot in front of the stage. It’s always been like that even since the festival used to be the Rocky Mountain Bluegrass festival when it was in Henderson, CO. pver 20 years ago.
If your complaint is about Rockygrass being too traditional, I guess you haven’t been to festivals back East? LOL That being, Telluride is more know for stretching the boundaries of bluegrass and you should check out that festival too. Speaking of stretching the boundaries, I think the Horseflies on Saturday night might be what you’re looking for. I can’t wait to see 'em again!
I love to dance and the really nice thing about a fest at the Planet Bluegrass iRanch is there is not one bad seat in the entire house. DANCE TILL YER SILLY!!! Step to the side, its a more family friendly fest for sure. I like it! :cheers
I’m definitely looking forward to the Horseflies on Saturday night! Haven’t seen them live yet, but I dig their album “Until the Ocean” a LOT.
Maybe I didn’t make myself clear, but I love the traditional groups too and can’t wait to see the Traveling McCoureys, Bobby Osbourne, etc! To me though, variety is the spice of life and I just wish that those who don’t appreciate the newer styles could be polite about it. I have on several occasions actually heard people yell out during those sets things like “this isn’t bluegrass,” or “bluegrass doesn’t have drums!” I feel that kind of disrespect towards the artists is NEVER called for, and I’ve always been embarrassed for the whole crowd when that has happened. If people don’t like a particular band, maybe that’s a good time go get some food or go back to camp. I personally am glad that it’s not JUST a festival for the traditional string bands.
Anyway, I’m not trying to just be negative or anything (as I said, this will be my 6th consecutive 3-day pass) but in terms of the stage/dance areas it just seems like sometimes keeping traditional for the sake of tradition isn’t always the best way to move forward. I can see the argument on the side of those who wait at night for the lottery and then again in the morning for the land-grab, but it seems there is room for a small dance area in front of the stage that really wouldn’t change things much at all. It does make me a bit sad when I’m over dancing on the right with a bunch of happy people and when I look at the area in front of the stage, it’s less than 1/2 full with empty chairs and tarps.
Well now we can look forward to Friday night after Patty Loveless. On FB they announced a late show at the Wildflower with the Horseflies!!!
Is the late night show free? I know in the past they have charged for late-night wildflower shows, but I don’t see anything about tickets on the website. If it’s free, I’ll probably go; but if not, Oskar’s it is. Had enough of paying extra for late night shows at High Sierra this year.
The Moongrass show is free with a wristband, see ya there!
Nice! I’ll be there! Thanks for the heads-up!
:wave You can come dance with me! I was one of those rule-breakers :evil last year and I was dancin right up front, even in a downpour. When a band is playing a song about “dance, dance, dance,” how can you not? hee hee Besides, if I sit too long I get too stiff, so dancing for me is a way to keep limber.
Last year I was with friends who had gone through some serious health issues, and to be able to dance with them there was about as special as it gets. Before the weekend was over, most of the crew I was with had decided that if the mood strikes ya, then get up and dance.
I did try to make sure I wasn’t directly impeding the view of anyone behind me, but I also encouraged those you mention, who sit there all day like zombies, to get up and have some fun! :dancing :dancing It makes me feel ALIVE!
I’ll keep my eye’s peeled for a rule-breaker in the front! If I can make it in there to dance without getting yelled at by grumpy chair-sitters (I’m 6’ 2" and try as I might, it’s hard to avoid obstructing views,) I’ll join you! 
…dance like, nobody is watching… :thumbsup woo hoo!! so excited for RG!!