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As a growing number of festival organizers take note, it’s easier to find a green festival. There is actually a bit of a revolution in the live music industry with many festivals either in the process of going green or making themselves even greener. So if you’re wondering how to go green and rock out at the same time, check out our June Green Rock and Roll Festival Guide. Here’s to dancing the summer nights away and leaving only footprints!
The Big Apple goes green
Summer kicks off at New York City’s River to River festival from June 7 - September 15. This year it again be using B20 biodiesel and using FSC certified paper for poster and programs. They've done away with tickets by getting corporate sponorship to fund the events and make if free to the public. The Festival is teaming up with local businesss and civic leaders to co-ordinate efforts in recycling, printing and power generation. They want everyone on board and educated while they are enjoying the great musical line-ups.
Dance while you recycalusa
The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is happening from June 5-8 at the manmade Clinton Lake Park just outside the picturesque small town of Lawrence, Kansas. This jam-packed event offers an impressive line-up of 100 musicians on seven stages. This year's headliners include Emmylou Harris, Flaming Lips, Ben Folds and Buckethead among others. Wakarusa has an extensive list of green implementations including their highly successful recycling program, whimsically named Recycalusa. This year they've added a composting unit and are encouraging everyone to only bring aluminium cans that can be recycled with the money going to local not-for-profit organizations. Volunteers will be circling the grounds offering free samples of natural insect repellant. The No Sweat Fashion Show, The Human Rights Awareness Tour, Drumming Circles and Morning Yoga and Healing Sessions round out the event.
Rolling in the green
Bonnaroo, Creole for a “rolling good time,” takes over the town of Manchester, Tennessee, from June 12-15. The ’Roo attracts over 90,000 fans who come to enjoy over 120 musicians and comedians. The headliners for 2008 include Pearl Jam, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, BB King, The Raconteurs, Chris Rock and Levon Helm. In 2007, their onsite recycling and composting system assisted by an army of volunteers diverted more than 60 percent of 593 tons of trash created. They plan to do the same this year, including sending remaining garbage to WastAway Recyling where it’s turned into building material or converted into ethanol gas. Other green innovations include using a fleet of electric vehicles, using fuel cells for electricity and having bands play on a solar-powered stage. They’ve even equipped the medical tents with a solar air conditioner. At the epicenter lies PlanetRoo, with booths and exhibits from non-profit organizations and organic lifestyle companies. This year they've added some corporate sponsorship that will be offering a hair salon, shaving stop and a place to play video games. This seems to be offset with a focus on social justice movements with a visit from The Human Rights Awareness Tour (see link above). Should be interesting to see how green community reacts.
GM helps Detroit green it
From June 20 through to 23, The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy will join forces with the Parade Company and General Motors to celebrate the annual GM River Days with performances from musicians around the world including the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This year, the festival has an extensive recycling program and in collaboration with Michigan Economic Development Corporation has created an area called Green Days with just under 20 exhibits showcasing green initiatives, pollution prevention, conservation groups and environmentally-friendly products.
Lee Schnaiberg is an environmental consultant who has worked at greening music festivals around North America.
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