This Thursday through Sunday (November 14-17), the seventh annual Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival returns to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL with a lineup that features the Roots, Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and dozens more including a bevy of New Orleans finest. Over the course of the next few days, Flow Tribe, George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners, the Mike Dillon Band and the Revivalists will play on the banks of the Suwannee River, and funkmasters Galactic, Dumpstaphunk and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes will play twice.
Roughly eight hours from the Big Easy, those planning on making the trek (directions) to the 500-plus acre campsite can expect daytime temperatures in the low 80s, nighttime temperatures in the low 60s, plenty of funky grooves throughout the weekend and sit-ins galore courtesy of 2013 Bear Creek Artists At Large trombonist Clay Watson, drummer Dave Watts, bassist Freekbass, singer Jans Ingber, trumpet player Jennifer Hartswick, keyboardist Joey Porter, vocalist and trombonist Natalie Cressman, pedal steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier, the Shady Horns, saxman Skerik and the Crescent City’s own bassist extraordinaire George Porter Jr.
Tickets for the weekend (Nov. 15-17) are $185, and tickets for Thursday (Nov. 14) are $50. Both are available online. Prices increase by $10 for each at the gate. V.I.P. tickets, which cover the entire four days and come with a load of perks, are on sale for $375.
Tonight, the New Mastersounds, the Revivalists, Toubab Krewe, Art Official and Freddy’s Finest will play a benefit concert for the family of longtime park production manger Michael Allegretto, who passed away earlier this spring. Tickets are $25 and available to those who have purchased either Thursday or weekend tickets. More information is available at www.bearcreekmusicfestival.com.
The times and stages for New Orleans acts performing at the 2013 Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival are as follows:
Wednesday, November 13
The Revivalists: 10:00-11:15 p.m., Big IV Ampitheater, Michael A Benefit
Thursday, November 14
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes: 3:00-4:30 p.m., Big IV Ampitheater
Friday, November 15
Flow Tribe: 2:00-3:00 p.m., Campground Stage
The Revivalists: 2:45-4:15 p.m., Purple Hat Stage
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes: 4:00-5:30 p.m., Campground Stage
Galactic: 9:15-10:45 p.m., Big IV Ampitheater
Saturday, November 16
George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners: 1:15-2:45 p.m., Purple Hat Stage
Galactic: 2:30-4:00 p.m., Big IV Ampitheater
Mike Dillon Band: 4:00-5:15 p.m., Uncle Charlie’s Pork Stage
Bear Creek All Stars ft. Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce and Special Guests: 11:00 p.m.-1:45 a.m., Big IV Ampitheater
Sunday, November 17
Dumpstaphunk: 5:45-7:00 p.m., Big IV Ampitheater
