Cambria City Ethnic Festival

dayzichick · Post by **dayzichick** » Monday Aug 23, 2004

Just wanted to let everyone know (in case you haven't heard about the controversy by now and the outcome), the Johnstown Folkfest during Labor Day weekend is officially moving to a new site, across from the Point Stadium downtown. The Folkfest will be the same as it is every year, just in a different location (and I"m not giving my opinion on that).

The churches and businesses in Cambria City have planned their OWN festival this year, it's called The Cambria City Ethnic Festival and they have successfully booked about 50 or so acts for the three day weekend, everything from Irish dancers to polka bands and ALL LOCAL BANDS! For once, someone listened and said, "we don't need out of town bands or national acts, we'll take the talent we have right here in our hometown!" I've been doing some marketing for the Cambria City Ethinic Festival and I have to say that I think it will be just as good as Folkfest, the food, the music and the atmosphere will still be intact.

And I"m not saying pick one festival over the other, just come to Johnstown, Labor Day weekend and go to both festivals but remember, you won't pay $5 for a beer in Cambria City, and you won't pay $6 for chicken on a stick in Cambria City either. Instead, you'll have a nice little church lady hand you a bucket of $3 haluski and a smile! Oh yeah, and Ribbon Grass is playing at Aces Saturday and Sunday night at the Cambria City Festival from 10-1. There is no admission fee for any of the Cambria City festival events and parking is FREE!

If anyone wants to know who is playing at the Cambria City Festival and what times, shoot me an e-mail. I have the complete schedule here. It may take me a while but I could list the bands and then you could ask me when your favorite was playing, might be easier that way. The schedules are being printed right now so they aren't even out in the public yet. I'm going on vacation next week, so if you want to know more about it, e-mail me or post on here before this Friday.

Come to Cambria City Labor Day weekend and support the people who dared to take a risk and take on this great task by themselves without any experience or anyone to really guide them. We are talking a couple of priests and two bar owners who put this entire thing together. Kudos to them for having the guts to continue this great community tradition!

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Monday Aug 23, 2004

Never Enough just got in due to a cancellation sunday between 8 and 10:30 so I hope we make the schedule/ flyer if not hopefully it was a good band who's spot we're filling !!!!!

I've gotta agree that I've heard many complain in the past that it was out of town vendors and out of town bands and then they wanted local volunteers !!!!!!

It will be different with 2 events going on but If you look at it as one big Johnstown event maybe better for all.

Post by **Jim Price** » Monday Aug 23, 2004

It will be interesting to see how things turn out. I see it as similar to what happened in State College; the Central PA Festival of the Arts started bringing in more out-of-state craftsmen and performers, and the locals formed their own festival, the People's Choice Arts Festival in Boalsburg.

Doesn't that give Johnstown three different festivals that weekend? Folkfest, Cambria City and Log Cabin up in Westmont (if that is still going on, I know that used to be same weekend as Folkfest).

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Monday Aug 23, 2004

thats cool. one question... any local metal bands? cuz the reason I never support Folkfest or Thunder in the Valley is that they never seem to ask the local metal boys. kudos though to making this happen, just understand by not including the area local metal bands, the problem isnt being solved. I support all local music, but it would be nice to be supported back.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Monday Aug 23, 2004

I understand your thoughts Deviance 1 and I definalty am not dissin your music but I think its a little over the top for a festival where a more " common " type of crowd is wanted. Metal started underground and it will most likely stay a music for a small group of people with a different taste. I think if they were to have metal bands there it would distract a majority of the crowd they expect to get. You guys have Rock the House and a Too Loud festival coming up ( new thing ) , I wouldn't be going there trying to get a gig cause i know its not the crowd that wants to hear what we're doin. Besides would you really want to come play to a group that doesn't want to hear you? Same reason I would never want to open up for you, your crowd would definatly not like us. Hope I didn't offend I just think every band including mine needs to select the right places and the right crowds for what you're doin.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Monday Aug 23, 2004

its cool. just realize, that us metal bands have enough fans to make an event like this pretty cool too. I know at our shows we always have ppl asking us to play something that might be up ur alley. I bet that u get the same, the long haired drunk guy requesting slayer. My point is this... dont advertise all local music without representing all the different factions that exist. Aside from that, I hope the cambria city festival crushes the Folkfest, cuz its all about the churches and the kinds of ppl that originally put the event together.

onetooloud · Post by **onetooloud** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

I think this is positively great.

The folkfest has forgotten its roots. Its nice to hear some of the sounds that are bought in but don't forget the locals.

Along the same lines I have spoken with a few sound company's , all with well established names, who feel the same. Many of these people would love to have a place there as well.

Please send as much money as possible out of town, Johnstown has plenty. Think about it , Lets keep it here or at least in the area.

The fact that the Churchs, MOM and POP and neighbors in Cambria City have chosen to go head to head on this is fantastic. They made the folkfest much of what it was or is still to be. The folkfest has been one of the big feelgood times of the year in Johnstown. Now the powers that be turned their backs on these people. Its all about control.

Make sure your in Cambria City Labor Day weekend

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

I gotta call you out on this one deviance, You can hear metal 7 nights a week if ya time it right and I know this might shock you but there are OTHER forms of music around, a really excellant reason for not calling up the local metal boys is that they already own the club scene, let's give someopne else the mike for a change huh if only for one weekend.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

whoa, wait a minute. this isnt metal bands vs the world. where can u hear metal 7 days a week? I know you can hear acoustic acts around here. Thats awesome. I know u can catch kick ass classic rockers and blues artists like yourself, Felix, and the Desperadoes. Thats awesome. I know of no metal bands playing tonight. Or tommorow night for that instance. And you may not believe this but I have a pretty broad musical spectrum. Dont give me crap about metal bands eating up the nightlife. It aint so. Theres plenty of venues for all the quality acts that are in this region.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

Well, I'm glad you didn't take offense to what I was sayin Deviance and if you look at some of the stats : Rock the house was mainly a metal show and it brought 600 people in 1 day, some of the other events I've been to lately haven't had that kinda turn out. So I do agree you guys can draw some people, but ........if you look at this event I'm sure the priests and reverands and whoever else wouldn't say " who's this band Deviance ? Lets book them for our fundraiser cause I really like the tune with the wicked double bass drum and lets call Rennis too cause I really like how there name spelled backwards is sinner" See what I mean?

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

dude thats exactly why u do it! it even gives the churches a reason to exist. Im not saying you put a grand stage in the middle of the street, but u dont think a small stage off to the side would be appropriate? I am just tired of the secret society of old fuckers picking entertainment. And then Vinny gets on and gives a half thought out line of bullshit. For once I thought Ethnic Festival would represent some local metal boys. I dont even care if its me, I just wanna see someone represent. I didnt plan the Rock the House, but wasnt the headliner a party band? Wasnt FlapJackn Jill there? Double O Nuthin? Young people will attend more if they have something that they like too. And if you get to the root of it, u will see the churches have this to make MONEY.

JayBird · Post by **JayBird** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

I'm the guy behind the Too Loud Festival - wanna know what I have on the bill: 1 hardcore metal band, 1 metal band, 1 hard rock band, 1 partyish band, and 1 classic rock/modern rock band. I'm just trying to get this damn community to join in a one day, cheap ticket event and open their eyes to ALL of the GREAT LOCAL TALENT within a depressed area. I want groups of different people to come together and drink some beer, eat some good food, and listen to a variety of music. By excluding one group here or there you eventually exclude all of the people within that group, well not all, but most. If you want an activity to grow you need variety. If there is no variety, you'll eventually hit a stale mate and see no new growth. If there is variety your target market increases and in return you have new faces joining in your event that might not have shown up. I'm doing this festival for one reason only - the bands. In no way am I trying to capitilize finacially on this event. I'm working with a minimal budget and I've still been able to land things that the bigger events also land(at the big budget prices). This is no benefit concert, well maybe it is a benefit - it's a local band benefit. You sale the tickets, you keep the money...end of story. So many places turn their backs on local talent, so I've decided to create my own event to help support the local talent. I plan to have this event every year from here on out. So, please come on out and open your ears and minds to different musical styles.

dayzichick · Post by **dayzichick** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

Tonefight, the spot you guys got wasn't filled by the time I had to get the schedule to the printers. There was a miscommunication between the band and the club owner so I had to put "To Be Announced" in your time slot, sorry. But Who's Your Daddy with Glenn Pavone is right before you from 5:30-7:30 so you'll have a crowd. And I agree that the people of this town should just go out and support everything that weekend for the betterment of our town.

There are actually four festivals that weekend, Folkfest, Cambria City, The Arts Festival in Westmont and the one in St. Michael (although I haven't heard anything about the St. Michael one this year, I am assuming they are still having it.)

I think Deviance would be a good fit for Thunder in the Valley. Have you tried to get in there? The problem with that event is you have to know someone for some reason to get booked. Actually my cousin is married to one of the ladies who runs the thing and even I can't get a spot at that event. They are amongst the mentality of pay the out of town bands all the money, hire the local bands for pennies. That being said, if you could get the money you want, I would go for that event next year. The out of town bands I saw there this year were really really bad. I don't remember the names, I only lasted through one song and kept moving on. I do know that Inside Out plays there so maybe they could help you get your foot in the door. I would e-mail them and ask them who to contact. I think her name is Karen Soliday at the Visitors Bureau, look online and heck I'd contact her now, it's never too early for a big event like that. Or find out how to get a gig at Greenhouse Park that weekend for the ABATE parties. I don't know much about this but it seems to me there is a lot of action down there and you guys would do well.

As far as the Cambria City Festival and who they hired this year? It seems to me it was all word of mouth because they weren't even sure they were going to have entertainment until probably the first week of August. So my advice is if you want to get in there next year, promote yourselves to one of the priests or to Don at Parrot Bay Cafe. I'd be happy to pass along any demo material or CDs anyone wants to give me.

JP, I'll be e-mailing you the schedule tomorrow.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

and thats why we were quick to be a part of it Jaybird. I didnt care if it was a polka band, a blues band, a classic rock band. We were willing to just come out and get er done. And to any one who inquires.... Deviance was more than willing to show up for free, just to get the local music community back in sync. JP hope u can make it, if for anything else, have a few beers, put your camera down and just hang out.

Post by **Jim Price** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

The Forest Hills Festival in St. Michael is that weekend as well (I forgot that one). Bands/musicians involved include Personal Touch, Rosie & the Jammers and Conniptions on Saturday; Mercy Seat, John Stiffler and Shades Of June on Sunday; and Philip McCaulley, Rachel Allen and Button Box on Monday.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

Gezz, talk about alot going on.

I guess we'll see if the competition helps or hurts. Will it bring people to the area? or will it just spread everyone out?

dayzichick · Post by **dayzichick** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

Well considering the attendance at Folkfest last year was about 130,000 people, I think that is enough to go around, everyone will do fine.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Tuesday Aug 24, 2004

gotta know someone to get in thunder in the valley? No thanx. Kissing ass isnt my idea of promoting my band for the better. Did it the hard way this long, why not do without that B.S. this is the same ole crap that happens all the time. Just an extension of things like the good ole boy network. Johnstown will never move forward till it gets out of its old school mentality.

Possessed · Post by **Possessed** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

The mentality in this town is so backward. I played all over the US in previous bands and I know for a fact that J-town is too afraid of someone rocking the boat. That's why the Greenhouse park show came about. Cause NO ONE will give the metal a chance at Folk Fest. And to Fat Vin believe me Metal does not rule the club scene around here. Take it from someone who's been there. You might be able to see metal 7 nights a week if you travel all over the state putting hundreds maybe thousands of miles on your car. As far as the whole folk fest, Thunder in the Valley thing goes we don't even care anymore cause like Deviance1 said Rennis doesn't kiss ass to get a gig either. GFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

Possesed wrote

And to Fat Vin believe me Metal does not rule the club scene around here.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

Deviance1 wrote:

Kissing ass isnt my idea of promoting my band for the better.

Now who's whining, making contacts and talking to people who can put in the right place to get a prime gig is hardly kissing ass, well it can be, it depends on who's doing it. If you really want to be in next year's Folkfest, what are doing about it now? Do you know who makes those decisions, do you know their names, have you spoken with them, you don't have to wash their car or send flowers but a lobbying phone call won't kill ya. Be realistic it's called FOLKfest and you're a METAL band, you might have to do a little more lobbying than would be normal but if you really want it. . . .

I love making music, but the music part is easy, the creative decisions are fun, I love rehearsal, I love playin, I love private practice time, I love the studio, I really love applause, not ashamed of it, but the business part of it is one big frustrating, mutherfuckin pain in the ass and I don't think there are too many people who will disagree with me on that.

Sometimes ya gotta vent, I think that's one of the things Rockpage is for, thank god for Rockpage, I vented on another thread, you're venting on this one, at the end of the day it's all good.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

folkfest. not blues fest. not party band fest. not metal fest. not classic rock fest. folkfest. me a whiner? hardly. the local kids keep moving away, they keep changing formats on the radio, cuz they have to try to please the few remaining good ole boys that remain in this area. whatever, keep thinking old school and like old school, u will be history. thats not whining, thats facts. If you wanna vent frustration, better pick an easier target.

JayBird · Post by **JayBird** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

...just the good ole boy. Never meaning no harm.

Man, this is getting good. I'll check back in another half to hear the rebuttle!

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

I'm out on this one

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

tonefight from the moment I put that there, I knew I went over the top. I edited it out, out of respect.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Wednesday Aug 25, 2004

Cool, I as well

ROCKPAGE

Cambria City Ethnic Festival

Cambria City Ethnic Festival

I agree with Deviance1