Let’s say a well coordinated national protest event coincides with TBF, such as the “March For Our Lives” (3/24/18) or one regarding a future unwarranted war we find ourselves roped into, would you spend an hour or more on the streets of Telluride to participate in the protest at the “expense” of missing said time inside the festival?
Wrong place, wrong time. To ignite political debate into fest would mess with the vacation vibe. Not all are going to be like minded and therefore a debate insues and rings throughout.
A good idea and cause for sure but not injected into Fest time and Telluride. IMHO.
You really want to protest at a festival? :rolleyes I agree, wrong place, wrong time. That simple.
It’s different for there to be a protest in the Town of Telluride during the week/end of festival than for there to be one inside the festival itself, and I believe that the former is what the question is asking — not to stage a protest inside the festival grounds, but in the town of Telluride. I think there would likely be a lot of interest if it was participation in a nationally staged protest day that happened to fall during festival.
So yes … if the cause is right I believe that many would believe that hour would be worth it. As long as it’s not during Billy Strings 
While I don’t think that any of us would rather be at a protest event than be just a happy festivarian escaping reality while listening to our favorite bands. That doesn’t mean that something could happen that would change everything. If the donald declares himself czar for life then declares martial law and is sending in federal troops to shut down the dispensaries then just sitting there and ignoring what is happening is no longer an option. Hopefully these type of events don’t occur and get in the way of our reality escape. I sometimes miss the old times in Telluride when I would go two weeks or more without tv, radio or newspapers, smart phones have yet to be invented and the only communication with the other world was by a few pay phones.
I certainly get it about wanting an “escape” and likewise have even found the Environment Colorado / Greenpeace / others outside the venue to be somewhat of a distraction.
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/585083/airplane-fight-o.gif
And yes, I was only referring to protesting outside the venue and was mostly referring to what Maple Al alluded to re: major events that might unfold. Personally, I’d have an awfully difficult time attending the festival if Seoul no longer existed. Mueller getting “removed” is obviously not nearly as severe (by a long shot); however, I believe the stakes would be way too high to not try to do whatever it takes to help shine the light of day onto the whole situation - before it’s too late.
Even out of self interest: let’s say that hypothetically the Town of Telluride put all festivals on notice because of trash concerns around town. Would you volunteer to spend an hour or two cleaning up the town if it meant the festival(s) would continue in subsequent years? (and not saying it doesn’t already happen! … especially with TBF :medal :medal :medal)
For the record: I voted for Gary Johnson and am not looking to discuss political ideology. I just believe things have gone far beyond actual ideology at this point and we’re treading on extremely dangerous ground … the likes of which our country hasn’t seen in a very long time.
One of the greatest things about music, especially live music, double especially festivals, and triple especially Telluride, is it brings folks of all ideologies, backgrounds, colors, genders, sexual orientation together for a common goal of relaxation, enjoyment and leaving the differences at the gate. If there was a serious nation wide protest happening during fest time for a cause I felt deeply about I might consider, but protesting is the last reason I will be in that canyon in June. BTW I think Gary Johnson is a super cool dude.
Nope - I would be alittle annoyed by it. Wrong place, wrong time for something like that.
Just about all of us that come to the Festival know why we show up here. Aliens did not kidnap us and drop us off in Telluride accidentaly. We share a common social bond and love of music. But we do not impose our personal political, religious, or social views on others. Even if one chooses not to participate in some sort of protest event, there could be unhealthy peer pressure placed on folks. We don’t need that kind of divisiveness.
It’s interesting how people misread what was/is a simple question raised by our friend Face on Mars who as a local of Telluride asked only that if such event was taking place during the festival would you take the time to leave the festival to be part of this protest or not. The local residents have their first amendment rights to organize such an event that would coincide with a national event, such as the events of the past weekend. It’s clear that many of the responses think that political stuff should have nothing to do with the festival and that’s OK. Although that wasn’t the question. I would vote a maybe, as I said earlier events could happen that could overshadow what is happening in the festival. And politics is a part of the festival, from the bands that Craig have playing to the sponsors in Etown (no Ted Nugget or Travis Tritt or Marlboro Man or big oil sponsors here).
It might be time to get back to the more important topics such as does Leftover’s nightgrass spot mean that I miss Greensky again. Or that tarp line thing. Or how many of those psychedelic frogs does Hooch put into the Crunchy Frog?
On the other hand I like the idea that all of us festivarians should spend a hour picking up trash and clean up the town. :cheers
The thing about aliens not kidnaping us and dropping us off accidentally at Telluride reminds me of my first Telluride in 1988 when I was sure that a blue UFO was hovering over the stage as New Grass Revival was playing. It might have been the mushrooms but it looked rather real.
Amazingly put. I’m in full agreement, and a clean-up party sounds like a grand idea.
I think we saw the same UFO when watching the sunrise at Bear Creek Falls that same year! :thumbsup
Thanks MA, perhaps it’s not so simple a question given the wide range of things would require to light a fire under any given one of our butts; and maybe I left open too much. However, I do find this to be a very interesting general question - not just for those who attend TBF, but for anyone anywhere in the midst of going about their lives.
The threat of what might be an unwarranted war in any one of the world’s hotbed’s of contention scares me the most, although a break from rule of law within the U.S. is a close second. We can all speculate until we’re blue in the face, and not looking to give Festivarians unnecessary cause for concern (there are no plans of a protest, that I’m aware of), but I’ve begun to contemplate how the world has found itself hemmed into massive conflicts in the past, and whether or not there’s anything I can do as an individual, or we as a community, can do if time is of the essence?
But what others have mentioned and alluded to in terms of joining together on common ground holds tremendous value and I only wish everyone in the country had embraced it long ago instead of having “picked their team” and ostracized the other. I do believe it’s essential to strive for common ground moving forward and strive to be “above” being pitted against one another. Along these lines, and speaking of aliens, the following shot sums things up well in my estimation:
^ the alien creature invaded the Enterprise and forced the crew and visiting Klingons to fight bitterly with one another; feeding off of the negative energy derived from the conflict, until Spock convinces Kirk and eventually Kahn to lay down their weapons and laugh at the alien entity … essentially depriving the alien entity “fuel” & it ultimately departs the Enterprise.
And of course, there’s Christmas 1914:
I would like to enjoy the loaded concert schedule I have planned this year - not the least of which is Bluegrass, but to be honest … can’t help but sleep with one eye open.
I am such a newbie to TBF (year 6 for me upcoming). I am extremely private about my political leanings; you can confirm with my wife and children that I do not talk about who I voted for in any election. With that said, in 2016, I publicly noted I could not nor did not vote for Trump. In truth more on the moral side than on the issue side.
So what does this have to do with Mars most gentle and well considered post?
To me, I think my response is more eloquently articulated in this Bela and Abbie interview with BGS (you must get their alerts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGjGxt5IoJc
If you want to cut to the chase, FF to around to around the 9-10 minute mark. But seriously, these two TBF angels (can anyone forget Juno’s Sunday morning worm across the stage last year), have such a grounded music and political balance that is healthy to us all.
Let’s pray (if your bent), or at least send our blessings and well wishes to Bela, Abbie, and Juno for the well being and healthy bringing into this crazy world a ‘banjo quartet’ addition!
SEE Y’ALL IN JUNE.
I only protest if an eatery is skimpy with my bacon. :horsey
Liberty is something of great value and we must always be vigilant to protect.
Was blessed to see this amazing bird yesterday about 20 yards past the crosswalk near the Shell station when I was driving into town. Slowed to almost a stop and somehow was able to take some pics. Have heard they’re big and one needs to give them room when in a car, but never realized just HOW BIG they are!!! Waved to the person in the Mercedes SUV behind me and could see her waiving back with a similar joy (you just gotta poke around).
https://i.imgur.com/M1qReg5.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XWmzwJk.jpg
Wow
Amazing pictures! And from your car too :thumbsup