Last year, I spent the second weekend of November enjoying the sights, sounds and overall good vibes of the fourth annual Bear Creek Festival. This year, despite the draw of Orlando Calling, I plan on returning to the natural beauty of Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak to enjoy the fifth edition of Bear Creek, a music fest that leans to jazz and funk, but also features some tasty rock, electronica and out-there experimental fare by some grade-A artists.
If you've already forgotten why the Bear Creek Festival is worth your while, let me offer a quick refresher:
The music is the obvious draw. This year's stunner is a two-set Saturday night show in the surreal outdoor amphitheater by Trey Anastasio Band [pictured], featuring one of my favorite guitarists of all time and frontman of Phish in his horn-fused prog-jazz rock solo project. Among the players are trumpet player and songstress in her own right, Jen Hartswick, who offers up a late night set with her own jazz-funk band that same evening in the SOS Hall.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.