Spagettifest to heat up this weekend

This Fall Break’s main course will be served on the Stokesville campground at Mt. Solon.

Spaghettifest returns for the second time to the Valley with hip-hop, funk, bluegrass, country and jam-band sounds. The three-day festival will run from Oct. 15 to 17 will feature 19 bands — including Midnight Spaghetti and the Chocolate G-Strings, Michael Glabicki from Rusted Root and Adelyn.
Glabicki will be the most well-known performer at the event. "I’m looking to get out and play some smaller festivals," Glabicki said. Half of his performance will consist of solo material, and the rest from Rusted Root.

"Each band, they’re all very different," said Mickey Glago, Spaghettifest promoter and owner of Midnight Spaghetti Productions. "Whatever scene you’re into, it won’t be overwhelming of one style..."

Tickets for Spaghettifest cost $25 before and $30 on site, and include the cost of camping for the weekend. Food vendors will be present. Spaghetti from JMU Dining Services will be sold, but campers also can to bring their own food. Participants are encouraged to camp out, but bracelets will be issued that allow re-entry each day, said Glago.

Performances will last from noon until midnight Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 8:30 Sunday. Campers also can participate in late-night drum circles , and enjoy the view from the Stokesville Observatory for no additional cost.

Spaghettifest was started last year by Midnight Spaghetti and the Chocolate G-Strings to benefit non-profit organizations. The first Spaghettifest benefited Fanconi anemia research.

"The whole purpose was to showcase all the great people we’ve met, and raise money for a good cause," Glago said.

This year’s Spaghettifest benefits the OrangeBand Initiative, a non-partisan, national organization which increases public awareness about current events.

"This is the first official fund raiser for Orangeband as a non-profit organization." Kai Degner (‘03), OrangeBand founder and coordinator said. "OrangeBand [grew] from a discussion at lunch between four JMU students."

OrangeBand will hold open discussions throughout the weekend and will use the event to kick off its fall Action Campaign. The campaign runs Monday through Nov. 2, to address the upcoming election in 15 different forums on JMU’s campus and in downtown Harrisonburg.

"Bands should be in support of this," Glago said. "We exercise freedom of speech through our music."