Gaia Grove

follow @gaiagrove on twitter for most recent news & updates ~

Sep 7 2011
not looking good for future environmental protection: Obama administration seems likely to approve pipeline #keystoneXL 3bl.me/gdw7m4

SAVE the HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKET!

Please Help the HOLLYWOOD FARMERS’ MARKET:

All Details & statement from STHFMC/ South Central Farmers can be found HERE (http://www.southcentralfarmers.com):
We can’t remain Silent! Lets come together and organize to have a strong and powerful voice. We need to be included in the future of the Hollywood Farmers Market.We propose that we organize as the Save the Hollywood Farmers Market Coalition (STHFMC).
We propose the following action for Dec 14, 2010 at Los Angeles City Hall.

What: The Save the Hollywood Farmers Market Coalition will conduct a protest outside Los Angeles City Hall and speak during public comment and on Item #17 on the Council Agenda.
When: 9:00 a.m., Dec. 14, 2010, 200 N. Main St. Los Angeles City Hall. We will have a press conference on the lawn at 10:00 a.m. and will enter city council chamber for public comment and agenda item #17.
Why: We, as the farmers, food producers, artisans, and consumers have been left out of the discussion of the future of the Hollywood Farmers Market. We are compelled to be heard and deserve to have a say on the future of this community jewel.
Our opinions matter and we demand a say on this issue that affect us economically and our quality of life.
Contact: Tezozomoc, 800 249-5240 tezo@southcentralfarmers.com

EXCELLENT LA Weekly update 12/13/10: http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2010/12/hollywood_farmers_market_dispu.php

LA Times Editorial 12/13/10: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-market-20101213,0,3428619.story

Also see LA Times update from this morning: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hollywood-farmers-market-20101213,0,3249325.story

http://www.laindependent.com/news/local/hollywood/Hollywood-Farmers-Market-111773074.html

89.3 KPCC SoCal Public Radio: http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/12/12/supporters-seek-to-save-hollywood-farmers-market/

UPDATE 12/7/10: Apparently after Monday’s meeting, the market has been temporarily extended in full (on Ivar) for one month. But after then, its future is uncertain. Please read the newest LA Weekly and LA Times stories below for even more details – they were added this morning…

UPDATE 12/6/2010 1:30 PM: Please note that the meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. today will NOT be held at the Farmer’s Kitchen, as was previously planned. We have not yet received a specific location for the meeting.

We need your assistance to keep the Hollywood Farmers’ Market at its current location, where it has been for nearly 20 years. We will update this web page with new information about this breaking issue and the latest instructions for how you can help.

Under pressure from an adjacent business owner, City authorities have decided to revoke the legal authority to close Ivar Avenue on Sunday mornings which SEE-LA, the nonprofit operator of the Hollywood Farmers Market, has used for the past 19 years to serve up to 10,000 people every Sunday.

If the City follows through, most of the Sunday market vendors on Ivar Avenue between Selma Ave. and Sunset Blvd. – about 1/2 of the farmers – could be denied space to operate, or may be shifted to a new, not-yet-determined location less convenient or less safe than their current placement.

This action also jeopardizes the viability of SEE-LA, itself, and the 7 other farmers’ markets, major nutrtion education program and Farmer-to-School program it operates througout the City of Los Angeles.

Sign the Petition
Please stop by the HFM on Sunday or the Farmer’s Kitchen during our operating hours (Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to sign a copy of the petition. You may also download a copy of the petition here (we will post it as soon as we can), and fax or email a scan of the original.

Spread the Word
Let other people know that the Hollywood Farmers’ Market needs their help. Encourage other people to sign the petition and sign up for our email announcements (signup: info@farmernet.com)

Keep Up-To-Date
Sign up for our email list, if you haven’t already (signup: info@farmernet.com). And check back here for new announcements and updates on what is happening.

Thank you for your support!
____________________________________________________________________________________
Also, follow @theHFM on twitter & “like” the Protect the Hollywood Farmers Market Facebook page.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday December 5th, 2010 was the LAST FULL DAY of this longstanding market as their Ivar permit was not restored after being blocked by the LA Film School, who is fighting the market’s street permit for Ivar (the market has been operating there for 19 years) in order to gain access to their SECOND of TWO parking ramps on Ivar Ave. on Sundays. The Film School already has access to one of their ramps on Sunday during the market. And SEE-LA who operates the market was only notified about this closure on FRIDAY, DEC 3!

PLEASE HELP PRESERVE THIS LOCAL INSTITUTION – the vibrant Hollywood Farmers’ Market, the neighborhood staple for thousands, & the livelihood of hundreds of organic vendors & artisans during holiday season ~ for more information and/or to help, contact Market Manager Pompea Smith @ 818-693-2356, SEE-LA (Sustainable Economic Enterprises LA) as they are the ones needing the support & signatures of more than half of the residents/business in Hollywood!

There is a private meeting with market & city today, MON Dec 6th @ 2PM @ the Farmers Kitchen on Selma.

Read the stories below for more details…

If you can’t go in person, contact: SEE-LA directly.

Or try Eric Garcetti (District 13, Council President) http://cd13.lacity.org/c13cu1.htm, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and/or the Mayor.

THANK YOU

STORIES BEING UPDATED AS THEY ARE ADDED ONLINE (THANK YOU, LAist, LA Weekly, & the LA Times for most recent stories):

LA TIMES:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hollywood-market-20101207,0,202451.story

LA WEEKLY:
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2010/12/hollywood_farmers_market_close.php
HUFFINGTONPOST:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/06/hollywood-farmers-market-_0_n_792871.html
ABC LOCAL:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7826470
LAist:
http://laist.com/2010/12/06/will_the_la_film_school_shut_down_t.php
LA FIGA:
http://lafiga.firedoglake.com/2010/12/06/film-schools-ixnay-on-permit-puts-hollywood-farmers-market-in-jeopardy/
LA CURBED:
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2010/12/la_film_school_wants_hollywood_farmers_market_out_of_the_way.php

Sarva Dharma World Music “Featuring the Best in Enlightainment”
Sacred Spaces Village
San Diego Decompression
presenter / performer schedule

Sacred Spaces Village is a diverse international inter-faith spiritual community of artists, activists, mystics, muses, minstrels, musicians, yogis, shamans, permaculturalists and healers seeking to improve the collective intelligence of humanity. We provide grounded, heart-centered sacred spaces for individuals to heal, learn/teach, create art, and transform themselves and the world. The last 3 years Sacred Spaces Village provided a home for the largest workshops, world music stage and visionary art gallery on the playa. WE are very EXCITED to be making our premiere appearance at this years San Diego Decompression.
www.sacredspacesvillage.org
www.sddecom.com
* This event is almost SOLD OUT*

UNIVERSAL TEMPLE DOME STAGE
presenter / performance schedule

Friday, October 15th

2 PM – Opening Circle with Alchemy Devi – shamanic ritualist

3 PM – House DJ – special guest

5 PM – Drum Circle / Percussion Jam

7 PM – Shamanic Shabbat & Agni Hotra Ceremony

8 PM – Friday Nights LIVE with TES
OPEN MIC / OPEN JAM

10 PM – LIVE DJ / OPEN JAM

12 AM – Chai & Hookah Lounge
Late Night Chill DJs / Acoustic Performances

Saturday, October 16th

9 AM – YOGA

11 AM – Intimate Passionate Love – Conscious Relationship, Tantra & Sexual Health Workshop with Anya Shekina, Ph.D. & Paul Vogue, D.C., N.D.

1 PM – Creating a Youtopian Society – Open Panel Discussion
Where we as a tribal community are evolving and what can WE do.

2 PM – Recovering from Self-Improvement – experiential wakeshop with TES.

3 PM – Shamanic Galactavations workshop
with Shamanatrix Missy Galore & Guru Bhakti

4 PM – Express Your Souls Voice workshop with Dr. Joy
Improvisational Singing for Fun and Self Expression

5 PM – Cosmic Sing, Drum & Dance Circle with TES,
Alchemy, Missy Galore, Khy’em, Amy Clarke, Geo, Lokah

6 PM – Temple Bhajan Band
Dinner (prasadam) served during performance

7 PM – Amy Clarke – alternative indie-pop folk-rock

8 PM – Dubistan featuring Shirzad Sharif
middle eastern instrumentals / electronica dubs
with Shamanic Serpent performance by Alchemy Devi

10 PM – Jason Chase Trio – World Fusion

11 PM – DJ Alex Orlovsky – funky, deep, tech, soulful, house

12 PM – Chai & Hookah Lounge with DJ Satchi Om – World Dubstep

2 AM – Charis Duet – musical performance

Sunday, October 17th

9 AM – YOGA

11 AM – Ecstatic Weaves Workshop with Dr. Joy
(sing, dance & drum your way to ecstasy)

12 PM – Youtopian Society OPEN Panel Discussion –
Fostering the Burning Man Gifting Culture in our
Community. Led by Stu “Huggy Bear” Schreiber

1 PM – Charis Duet – musical performance

2 PM – Surprise Guest DJ & Performances

4 PM – Closing Circle

NAMASTE

More pics here: Amy Clarke’s (scorpfaery) blog

photos & stages courtesy of:

http://www.burningman.com

http://www.sacredspacesvillage.org

THANK YOU Sleepless, Janis, and so many more…

BURNING MAN 2010
Sacred Spaces Village
http://www.sacredspacesvillage.org

Bhakti Garden Stage @ Sacred Spaces Village: Performer Schedule
(Stage Opens at 9 pm on Monday For Live Performances)

HOME for Spiritual Grooves both Acoustic and DJ…and everything in between

MONDAY AUGUST 30th, 2010
9pm-11.45pm: CONSCIOUS CABARET (OPEN MIC, FACILITATED BY JANIS KELLY)
Midnight-2am: RESONANCE FOR LIFE TRIO
2-3.30am: TBA

TUESDAY AUGUST 31st 2010
8-9am: SVEN JORGENSEN W/STAGE OPENING RITUAL
10.30-11am: JANIS KELLY W/COSMIC SINGING CIRCLE
11am-1pm: TBA
1-2.10pm: SVEN JORGENSEN
2.25-3.35pm: SHAMANATRIX MISSY GALORE
3.50-5pm: RICK PONTALION
5.15-6.25pm: PAUL RUSSELL
6.30-7pm: PERCUSSION JAM
7-9pm: TBA
9-10.15pm: NEBULOUS LOTUS
10.30-11.45pm: COLORADO COLLECTIVE W/MAMA LOVE MAGICK
Midnight-2am: MICHAEL GARFIELD
2-3.30am: RA SO

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1st, 2010
8-9am: SVEN JORGENSEN W/STAGE OPENING RITUAL
10.30-11am: JANIS KELLY W/COSMIC SINGING CIRCLE
11am-1pm: SWAMI
1-2.10pm: PRIYA MOHAN
2.25-3.35pm: NATURE DREAMWEAVER
3.50-5pm: BANANA LAZULI
5.15-6.25pm: TEMPLE BHAJAN BAND
6.30-7pm: PERCUSSION JAM
7-9pm: TBA
9-10pm: EOSTAR & MATHIAS
10.10pm-12:12am: PORTAL OPENING W/JIMMY BLEYER, SATCHI OM & DJ IMAGIKA
12.12-2am: HERE II HERE
2-3.30am: ANGEL FREQUENCY
3.30-5am: TBA

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2010
8-9am: SVEN JORGENSEN W/STAGE OPENING RITUAL
10.30-11am: JANIS KELLY W/COSMIC SINGING CIRCLE
11am-1pm: DJ J.C.
1-2.10pm: SHAMANATRIX MISSY GALORE
2.25-2.55pm: ACAPPLAYA
3.10-4.20pm: MAMA CROW
4.30-5pm: THE TRANSFORMATIONAL ALL-STAR MARCHING BAND
5.15-6.25pm: JANIS KELLY
6.30-7pm: PERCUSSION JAM
7-8pm: RADIO HIRO
8-9pm: AUDITORY CANVAS & JILLIAN ANN
9-10.15pm: TRIPLE TREE W/ALAYA AIYANNA CRYSTAL
10.30-11.45pm: LAND OF THE BLIND
Midnight-2am: LARISA STOW & SHAKTI TRIBE
2-3.30am: ADAMA–DAVID DELL
3.30-5am: TBA

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2010
8-9am: SVEN JORGENSEN W/STAGE OPENING RITUAL
10.30-11am: JANIS KELLY W/COSMIC SINGING CIRCLE
11am-1pm: DJ FERAL
1-2.00pm: EOSTAR & MATHIAS
2.15-3.20pm: AMY CLARKE (SCORPFAERY)
3.35-4.40pm: LIS ADDISON
4.55-6pm: RESONANCE FOR LIFE TRIO
6-8pm: CHAKRA RITUAL/CEREMONY
8-9.15pm: CHLOROPHIL
9.15-10.30pm: JEF STOTT
10.30-11.45pm: SASHA ROSE
Midnight-2am: WISDOM
2-3.30am: DJ JOCELYN
3.30-5am: BOMBGODDESS

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4th, 2010
8-9am: SVEN JORGENSEN W/STAGE OPENING RITUAL
10.30-11am: JANIS KELLY W/COSMIC SINGING CIRCLE
11am-12.45pm: TANTRA THEATRE & KAMALA DEVI
1-2.10pm: ALAYA AIYANNA CRYSTAL
2.25-3.35pm: AMY CLARKE (SCORPFAERY)
3.50-5pm: AIREDTREE
5.15-6.25: MICHAEL GARFIELD
6.30-7pm: PERCUSSION JAM
7-9pm: DJ OUTERSECT
9-10.15pm: HERE II HERE
10.30-11.45pm: TBA
Midnight-1.30am: AFROLICIOUS
1.30-3am: TBA
3-4.30am: SATCHI OM
4.30-6am: CHRIS JAMES

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5th, 2010
8-9am: SVEN JORGENSEN W/STAGE OPENING RITUAL
10.30-11am: JANIS KELLY W/COSMIC SINGING CIRCLE
11am-1pm: TBA
1-2.10pm: LIS ADDISON
2.25-3.35pm: JANIS KELLY & FRIENDS
3.50-5pm: SACRED WORDSPEAK W/MOTHER BEAR
5.15-6.25pm: AIREDTREE
6.30-7pm: PERCUSSION JAM
7-9pm: SUZANNE STERLING: PRE TEMPLE-BURN CONCERT
9-10.15pm: LAKSHMI DEVI: PRE TEMPLE-BURN CONCERT
10.30-11.45pm: TBA
Midnight-2am: BHAKTI FINALE W/SUZANNE STERLING; LAKSHMI DEVI; LARISA STOW & SHAKTI TRIBE
_________________

More photos from the day @ Lilith 2010 DC:

Butterfly Boucher & Amy Clarke

Indigo Girls, Lilith DC

Lilith Stage at Night

Read prior entries for more about the whole journey ~

LILITH 2010 DC @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD by AMY CLARKE
#LF10DC SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADOR (SMA)
http://www.amyclarke.com * http://www.gaiagrove.org “helping heal the earth” *

The press conference was held in the beautiful, lush, & green artist lounge area of Merriweather Post Pavilion, a lovely outdoor grove nestled in the Maryland woods. Cicadas hummed a chorus which ebbed and flowed in the background of the thick canopy of trees, and the anticipation in the air was as palpable as the sticky August humidity. One by one, the Lilith artists and festival affiliates took the place on the stage, and once one of the original founders and headlining artist Sarah McLachlan joined the stage, the conference began.

SELECT HIGHLIGHTS

YOUNG GIRL: I have a question. So, have you guys been trying to get kids to be different? Because, you know how kids, they always want to fit in? Have you ever thought about, like, doing a different hairstyle, like, a ponytail on one side, or a braid? (everyone laughs)

SARAH MCLACHLAN: You know, I think it’s really important to be an individual. And, you know, getting to know yourself is a very intimate dance. And it’s tricky. And there are so many people pushing you in so many different directions, especially a girl your age. There’s a lot of peer pressure. And I think we all had that growing up.

BUTTERFLY BOUCHER: With the industry, and all that – I didn’t like having long hair. I’ve always loved short hair. And at some point, I was like, “You know what? I’ve just got to be me. And I’m going to cut it all off.” And, there you go. (again, laughter)

WATCH VIDEO : BUTTERFLY BOUCHER ON INDIVIDUALITY

*************

IN RESPONSE to a question by LILITH DC Social Media Ambassador AMY CLARKE on how artists respond to MEDIA commentary on ROLE of WOMEN’s MUSIC FESTIVALS in this day and age ~

EMILY ROBISON (COURTYARD HOUNDS): I think it’s important, and I don’t think it should be that special. It shouldn’t be that special. It should be something that’s available all the time. But, for some reason, I think people find it odd.

SARAH MCLACHLAN: Well, you know, we’re a bit of an easy target in the media, I think, because we are standing up and doing something a little bit different. WE’RE CELEBRATING WOMEN. Oh my god, how shocking. You know, Tegan from Tegan and Sara made an interesting comment … there is one woman for every twenty men on the radio right now.

AMY CLARKE (SMA): Still.

SARAH MCLACHLAN: Still! And you know, I have never taken this up as a big political stance. It’s all about being joyful and making music together. And there are so many great women out there making music, I feel a great need to be near that. And be around that. So I draw that to myself. And I am inclusive by nature and I want everyone to enjoy it and be a part of it. And that’s really the bottom line of this festival. And the social consciousness, the idea of giving money back to charity, that’s just something I do in my everyday life, so it makes sense to bring it into this festival situation…

There’ve been so many labels attached to Lilith, positive & negative. And that we are sort of supposed to carry those on. And build them up. And take them on as our own. I just wish it could be what it is. It is a celebration of the amazing diversity that is out there. The fact that women are…we have come so far. Yeah, we have a long way to go. There is inequality everywhere in this world. But I like to look at the silver lining in things. I like to look at the fact that there are so many women out there, being so successful in a lot of different genres, I think the success of Lilith 11 years ago really played a part in changing some old school attitudes, certainly within the radio world. And, I think, in the industry in general. We’re forced to look at the fact that women are VERY powerful. Women were a powerful force in the industry. Women ARE a powerful force in the industry. And that doesn’t have to be a negative. It’s a beautiful thing. You know I’m a humanist, first and foremost. I’m a humanist, I’m a feminist, I’m feminine. And how wonderful that, as a woman, I get to embrace all of those things. I am so thankful to be born in this day and age.

LISSIE: A lot of times people ask me about my music, and I feel like they sort of put me in a category of WOMEN. Like it’s just one category.

AMY CLARKE (SMA): Yes, same.

LISSIE: And, you know, with guys, there’s like 50… infinity categories. But it’s like – you’re a girl singer, and THAT’S your category. So I like doing this, even though this is my first and only Lilith Fair, ’cause you kinda can see that just because you’re a woman, that doesn’t mean that you’re just all making the same kind of music. You’re talking about different things. You do different genres. Some people wear makeup, some people don’t. Some people want to have a crazy hairstyle, some people don’t. All women are not JUST ONE THING.

I like that. Also… when I was in high school, I went to Lilith Fair in Chicago. And it made me want to pursue music. It made me believe. I saw the Dixie Chicks and you (looking at Sarah McLachlan). And I had goosebumps. I was literally, like … “I WANT TO DO THIS”. And you empowered me to make feel like I wasn’t a total nutjob to think that I COULD do it.

And it was so empowering for me. And I bought the live CD, and I learned all the songs, And it meant a lot to me. So hopefully it inspires a new generation or girls to be like, “I’m a badass. I can do it too!”

AMY CLARKE (SMA): Yes. I was here at Merriweather Post in ’97 and ’98 and I just think we need many, many more of these. And I just can’t understand the feedback from anyone out there saying this time is over.

AMY RAY (of The INDIGO GIRLS): And also, I think it is important to recognize that a lot of women do support other women still in between the Lilith years by touring with other women and making sure they bring up and coming artists on their bills as opening acts, I think that’s really important. I think it’s important to mentor up and mentor down. Which is, we learn from people coming after us and the people who went before us, and also, there’s a lot of great women’s music festivals that go on under the radar, that are very radical, that give women a space to play their music and to mentor each other, and for young girls to come up and also the Girls Rock Camps. So there’s a lot going on that’s trying to shift the paradigm and change the gatekeepers. Because the gatekeepers are still men. No offense, but that’s who the gatekeepers are. And that’s why the women are not on the playlist the way they should be. That’s why they’re not in the media the way they should be. And that’s why we have to make our own infrastructures, and also at the same time try to take advantage of the infrastructures that exist that are opening up for us, you know, and not turn our back on those. So I think it’s important to do both things at the same time, and to carry on what we learn at Lilith which is “hey, let’s take some other female artists with us on the road sometimes, you know, and give other people a chance.”

WATCH VIDEO: AMY RAY on WOMEN IN MUSIC

*************
Listen to Amy! Do check out some of the other women music festivals both nationally & internationally, or create your own The more there are, the more usual it will be . . . Gaia Grove will be hosting a series shortly as well…
*************

LOCAL CHARITY WINNER: WEAVE DC ~ Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc.
twitter.com/@weave_dc & @showmelovedc
Interim Executive Director, Carol Loftur-Thun

WATCH VIDEO: WEAVE DC (& sister organization SHOW ME LOVE DC)
________________________________________________________________________

SARAH MCLACHLAN: And what an amazing fun, meaningful thing it has been for all of us… this tour this time around has affected me so much more profoundly than last time… I think I just got to touch upon a lot of the feelings, and that sense of camaraderie and the friendships that were created and the amazing music and musical education that I got. And you know, I was talking to Sara Bareilles the other night too, you know, how much we needed it. She said how much she needed this and how this fed her. And you know, we exist in solitude, as artists. So much of the time. And I think this is just an amazing opportunity for all of us to get together and hear each others’ music and connect and just be together as human beings. And as women. It’s just been really fantastic. I’m sad that it’s ending. (looks down)

But we’re coming back next year! (looks up, broad grin)

WATCH: SARAH MCLACHLAN on LILITH 2011
*************

LADIES OF LILITH

LILITH 2010 ARTISTS AT PRESS CONFERENCE

EMILY SALIERS (Indigo Girls) & AMY CLARKE (SMA)

SARAH MCLACHLAN & AMY CLARKE (SMA)

TERRY MCBRIDE (NETTWERK) & AMY CLARKE (SMA)

Looking forward . . .

LILITH 2011

http://www.nettwerk.com
http://www.lilithfair.com

Part 4 Final ~ Rest of the Fest . . . more will be posted soon

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE LILITH 2010 A BEAUTIFUL & EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE ~ SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

*************

NEXT: Gaia Grove takes off for BURNING MAN 2010: METROPOLIS
http://www.burningman.com
THE MAN BURNS on SEP 4, 2010

LEAVE NO TRACE

NAMASTE

Lilith Press Conference ~ August 3, 2010

While waiting at the gate to be escorted to the VIP Area for the Lilith Press Conference, we spent some time chatting with Executive Director Carol Loftur-Thun and the other diverse members of WEAVE, Inc. ~ Women Empowered Against Violence ~ the local non-profit chosen to be the recipient of the Lilith donation from Sarah McLachlan. One dollar from every ticket sold in each city on this year’s Lilith tour was donated to a local charity that won a vote-off in their city, and the women of WEAVE were excited to be the recipients for Washington, DC. From their mission statement, WEAVE works closely with adult and teen survivors of relationship violence and abuse, providing an innovative range of legal, counseling, economic and educational services that leads survivors to utilize their inner and community resources, achieve safety for themselves and their children, and live empowered lives.

Also of interest was one of the WEAVE women’s t-shirt, which advertised the SHOW ME LOVE DC campaign, which additionally raises awareness about healthy relationships and provide resources for LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence. This campaign is coordinated by WEAVE, guided by a Community Advisory Committee, and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. Cool women, wonderful causes ~ follow @weave_dc or @showmelovedc on twitter & DC Women Empowered Against Violence or Show Me Love DC on Facebook.

Then our guide arrived, and we were whisked backstage into the Artist Lounge area for the Press Conference.

Part 3 – Coming Next ~ what was said at the Press Conference . . .

LILITH DC ~ Merriweather Post Pavilion ~ Part 1 ~ August 3, 2010 #Lilith #LF10DC
by Lilith 2010 Washington DC SM Ambassador (& native Washingtonian artist) Amy Clarke @amyclarke @scorpfaery @gaiagrove ~
http://www.amyclarke.com

Arriving early at the last official stop of Lilith Fair 2010 with my good friend Paul, we were greeted by a pair of dancing monarch butterflies leading the way into Merriweather Post Pavilion. Strong memories stirred from earlier concerts and festivals here in my home state of Maryland, including the original talent-packed Lilith Fair festival dates in the late nineties, & entrancing concerts by Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, & more. We entered near the main box office, & enjoyed more colorful butterflies, dragonflies, and sunshine in the wooded pond areas while listening to other artists soundcheck in the distance. The crowd began to line up under the trees and once the gates were open, attendees streamed into the village stage area.

The Ourstage talent competition winner, Corrin Campbell & The Election of Baltimore, MD, opened the day with a bang, featuring high-energy electric guitar-driven rock, and I caught up with her briefly after their set on the way backstage. The rest of the afternoon artists alternated in quick succession, one after the other, on the two performance stages in the village. Nigerian-German soul singer/songwriter Nneka (@nnekaworld) radiated unconditional love, accentuated by tight grooves & breathtaking beatboxing from her band. Definitely check her out on Lollapalooza this year as well! Both festival co-founder & headliner Sarah McLachlan (@sarahmclachlan) & fellow Canadian Melissa McClelland made a surprise appearance on vocal harmonies in Australian artist Butterfly Boucher’s (@butterflyb) entertaining set, as the crowd continued to swell and grow. Melissa then emerged from backstage, & we had a lovely little chat about the roadrunner pin she had found at a thrift shop, laughing about the overwhelming steamy Maryland afternoon – realizing that it was probably either humidity or a downpour, and we opted for the former. The thunderstorms continued to hold off, and Beth Orton (@beth_orton) took the ABC stage reflecting both on sun & rain to an adoring crowd, who laughed along and cheered as she interrupted another song halfway through to correct her own verse. “I am not on autopilot at all!”

I spent some time in the i4cCampaign tent as well, connecting with founder Casey Verbeck , & with Better World Books (@bwbabbey & @bwbeddie) & Annie on the i4c Video Cam, where I recorded a brief video about what I foresee in a better future (as their signature pledge campaign had already reached maximum capacity). Large-voiced Lissie (@lissiemusic) (whom I believe I once shared a showcase with in Brooklyn) then delivered a powerhouse set, performing barefoot and wailing with passion as the cicadas joined in choral symphony in the trees. By now the eco-village was swarming with activity, Missy Higgins was about to perform, and I picked up my friend Paul from the REVERB photo booth where he had been helping with pledges to the environment, and we headed towards the Lilith press conference, making our way deeper into the Columbia woods.

Part 2 ~ Lilith Press Conference w/Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls, Courtyard Hounds, local charity WEAVE DC & more ~ Coming Next