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July 28, Kenwood

Holy cannoli, as they don't say in Italy: Solid Air, Michael McNevin, and Johnny & Mayne are comin' back to Cur-ville. They just couldn't stay away, and the feeling's mutual.

Solid Air's Sam and Allegra and the gang knocked us out last year with a set heavy on tunes from their terrific newish CD, Allegra Broughton & Sam Page, and this year they're comin' back for more. Allegra's gorgeous countrified wail and Sam's virtuoso versatility are perfect showcases for their highly original heartbreaking and hopemaking songs.

Michael McNevin has charmed the afternooners for the past two years with his patented talkin'-just-to-you delivery, and he's set to do it again this year. If you haven't heard this Niles-based songwriter (and some of his Niles-based songs), you're in for a tuney treat.

Also returning are DDF perennials Johnny Harper & Mayne Smith. Mayne has just come out with a career-retrospective CD, produced by Johnny, and you can bet that their set will feature plenty of those fine tunes, as well as their unique mix of rare treats from the back alleys of American music.

Cur-ville Proceeds Benefit Delta Paws Animal Rescue

It's a brand-new concept for the Fest: try and do something good, beyond music and beer. We don't necessarily expect to make back the money we're spending to put this party on (see A Note On Finances sidebar), but if we do, every cent in excess of our costs goes to the saints at Delta Paws Animal Rescue. Do it for the doggies!

Kids-only Fun Farm

We're stackin' up some haybales in a corner of the yard, staffing it with a couple terriffic teens, and letting the kiddies loose on face paint, nerf balls, and more. You can watch from a safe distance, while enjoying a little adult conversation, or dancin' yer butt off.

Pickin' Circles and Campin' Out

The Rockin' Heart Ranchito features plenty of level ground on which to pitch a tent or just lay out under the blanket of stars in the Valley of the Moon. We're going to have a few fire pits, and you're going to bring your acoustic instrument so you can pick around the campfire all night long. See if you can get the coyotes to howl. (Feel free to pick in the daytime, too - we recommend the front yard out of respect for the performers on stage.)

Still-Killer '08 Lineup

The pooch party will feature the Cur-ville debuts of the Adam Traum Trio, Doug Blumer, Larry Potts, and the duo of Gayle and Bob Gram, as well as the return of Fest mainstays JL Stiles and Dale Henry Geist. It also marks the world debut of The Jackdaws, an acoustic-electric duo consisting of Cris Puder and Dale Henry Geist, with hip covers of The Band, The Dead, and Ryan Adams as well as Americana originals. And let's never forget our MC, the fabulous mermaid Rose Harting.

Tribute to Newest Cur-villager

This year's canine clambake will be the first for young Amos Henry Daniel Geist, and you can expect a special musical tribute, featuring no less than three songs written expressly for the little stinker - by three different artists. (Full disclosure: two of them are Ma and Pa). This will augment the traditional excuse for the Fest, which is a dual birthday celebration. (The 17th and 24th, Dale and Laura respectively - and this year's Fest falls right on Adam Traum's birthday, so don't forget to give him a spank!)

More Fest Info

DDF08 Lineup

• Solid Air
• JL Stiles
• Michael McNevin
• Adam Traum Trio
• Doug Blumer
• Larry Potts
• Johnny Harper & Mayne Smith
• Gayle and Bob Gram
• Dale Henry Geist
• The Jackdaws
• MC: Rose Harting

What Else Ya Got?

• Kids-only Fun Farm
• A Musical Tribute to the Newest Cur-villager, Amos Henry
• Dogs! Horses! Goats!
• Song Circles - Bring Your Instrument
• Camping Out Under the Stars
• Food, Drink, Friends, and Sunshine

A Note on Finances

We think making music is a worthy, if not always respectable, endeavor, and so we pay nearly all the musicians, as well as our MC, and our sound guy.

In years past we've passed the hat to try and recoup some of our expenses, and we are grateful to the folks who chipped in. This year, because of the increased cost and because Amos has requested we not spend his college fund before it exists, we are being more up-front about asking for donations.

If you can help, by giving a donation at the door (we suggest $10 per adult), by buying a t-shirt, by donating to the beer fund, or by volunteering, you'll win the gratitude of the whole Cur-ville community.

If we don't take a major bath on this, we'll be able to do it again next year — which is the whole point, right?

Help Wanted!

It's cool to be on the crew. Besides the camaraderie and the war stories, you'll get a snazzy DDF08 T-shirt, all the food you can drink and all the beer you can eat.

We need help with:
• Prep: grounds, signage, etc.
• Parking
• Cooking and serving food
• Serving beer and wine
• Clean-up
• And more...

Call or email us if you want to help. We will love you forever.

Your Questions Answered

• Q: How do I get there?
  A: This way.
• Q: What time does it start?
  A: 12 noon
• Q: What time does it end?
  A: Officially, 10pm. Unofficially: when the cows come home.
• Q: How much does it cost?
  A: We're asking a $10 donation.
• Q: What should I bring?
  A: • Food and water
      • Low chairs, blankets, hat, sunscreen
      • Musical instruments
      • $$ for the beer kitty, t-shirts, CDs...
      • Camping gear
  
• Q: What will be provided?
  A: • Drinks (sodas free, beer and wine
        for a donation)
      • Hot grills
      • T-shirts and CDs for sale
      • A place to camp
      • Music, sunshine/shade, goats, more!
  

Accomodations

If you're planning on staying up in Beer Country (aka Wine Country), now's the time to book your accomodations, as August is wedding season up here. Here are some suggestions.