Get to Roots & Blues this weekend! I won't waste my time trying to think of a more creative way to say it- just go! If you've been absent over the past several years and don't know, Lancaster Roots & Blues is a music festival created by Rich Ruoff that stageroughly 60 artists on about 8 stages throughout the city over one weekend. This is the weekend.
The music is a mix of national and local artists and covers many styles. Sometimes the artists have name recognition and sometimes they don't. The key is not to let that determine whether or not you show up. I can't tell you how many great bands and artists I discovered over the last several years just by exploring the schedule and catching as many acts as possible. Sometimes these were very well-known acts I just wasn't hip to. Other times they were true upstarts, just trying to reach a wider audience. Either way, it's one of the best weekends of the year in Lancaster if you like music. There is also a visual art element this year.
Ticket prices are fair considering all there is to hear. About $160 for the whole weekend. There are also 1 and 2 day passes available. This is the first year I actually had to buy a ticket. I usually perform at it with one of my bands and part of the compensation for the gig includes a 3 day festival pass.
I won't bore you with a list my favorite acts from the past, or famous acts that have played the festival, or even of people I'm looking forward to seeing this year. Just get yourself downtown this weekend, get a ticket and a schedule, and start going to hear music. I'll be shocked if you don't have a great time.
For more info, visit the Lancaster Roots & Blues website:
https://lancasterrootsandblues.com/artist/hubby-jenkins/
See you around town this weekend!