Music Versus Violence
Music for Peace festival returns to Menomonie
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Joining the happily stuffed list of Chippewa Valley summer festivals is Music for Peace. After last year’s successful debut, the Menomonie festival, like others this season, raises funds for a good cause. The Red Cedar Peace Initiative works toward peace “within ourselves, families, communities, nations, and the whole natural world.” So add a summer-capping day full of art, local support, good eats & jamming, and it makes for one holistic hippie happening. Music for Peace’s organizer Keith Bhutadaya had more than music on the mind when he conceived it. “With this event I wanted to mix music with a humanitarian cause.” He designed the festival in order to have free admission, so everyone can enjoy it. In turn, the event is a natural community builder connecting people of all financial situations. Lisa Duffy agrees, “Last year’s festival really brought our community together in a unique way. People danced, hula hoped, and celebrated peace. … Our family is so excited to join in the fun again this year!” The lineup consists of the toe-wigglin’ Magic Mama, Roster McCabe, Brian Bethke, Evergreen Grass Band, The TopHatCats, Barefoot Symphony, and The Laces. There aren’t many reasons not to go, plus you only have to go 1/61 as far as those heading to some festival near Portland.
Music for Peace Festival • Aug. 30 • Wilson Park, 621 Wilson Ave., Menomonie • 11am to 10pm • FREE • 309-8046 • www.myspace.com/musicforpeacewi