Returning for its third year, the Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music, Art & Dance presents its most ambitious and diverse program lineup yet.
The four-day festival offers something completely different than any other festival or event in Florida. Highlights include performances by over 50 bands from across the globe, yoga and healing arts workshops, a huge Kids Village, live art and installations, music and dance workshops, camping on the beach, and much more.
From Feb. 20 through Feb. 23, the historic Virginia Key Beach Park sets the stage for an interactive event filled with participatory experiences for all ages to enjoy.
An incredibly diverse and culturally rich musical lineup creates the festival’s foundation. The programming includes Latin Grammy Award-winning Afro-Colombian group ChocQuibTown; Zimbabwe’s national treasure and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits; the most awarded Bluegrass legend of all time, The Del McCoury Band; Latin Grammy Award-winning Best New Artist, Sie7e; Trail-Blazing Americana mainstay Donna the Buffalo; current Reggae chart toppers John Brown’s Body, plus tons of hometown heavy-hitters like Spam All- Stars, Locos Por Juana, DJ Bill Kelly, Suenalo, and Elastic Bond.
A full listing of bands ranging in genre from Cajun to Electronic, Roots Rock, Latin Pop, Country, Hip-Hop and beyond can be found at http://virginiakeygrassroots.com/music-art/performer-lineup.
The Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival is full of activities for kids and families. The Kid’s Village offers free art projects, musical workshops, story time, kids yoga, a playground, games and all kinds of creative exploration all day long. Children ages 12 and under are admitted to the festival for free.
The event is in many ways a “lifestyle festival” with a holistic approach to entertainment that engages all of the senses. In partnership with the Zen Village of Coconut Grove, the festival’s Healing Arts Area offers daily workshops in various lineages of Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, traditional dance, healing drumming, and more wellness practices. Practitioners of various healing modalities such as massage, Reiki, reflexology, and more offer their services throughout the day in a lovely shaded grove along the water.
Festival-goers have the opportunity to engage with legendary musicians and instructors at numerous music and dance workshops. Musical workshop highlights include: World Drumming, Banjo and Fiddle, and Native Flute. Dance workshops for all levels take place prior to performances in the 10,000 square-foot wood floored Dance Tent, including Bachata, Salsa, and Zydeco instruction. At Miami’s Scratch DJ Academy Booth, participants of all ages can try their hand at deejaying with instruction from world-renowned deejays and teachers.
Environmental sustainability and ecological preservation are at the heart of the event. The Sustainability Fair & Expo is an interactive model of engagement between South Florida businesses and festival attendees. Over the course of the weekend Green Businesses, featuring sustainable services and products work alongside nonprofits to promote a sustainable future for Miami. There will be solar demos, biodiesel education, urban farming workshops, and more. The festival also has a mission of creating Zero Waste, with recycling and compost stations setup throughout the event. Biking to the festival is encouraged. Half-priced Sunday tickets are available for all who arrive by bicycle and numerous bike-centric activities are offered throughout the weekend.
Held on the pristine sands of the historic Virginia Key Beach Park, camping is available on the main festival grounds, just steps from the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Key is a short ride from downtown Miami, but is quiet and secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city, creating the perfect setting for this one-of-akind festival. Tent camping and vehicle camping are available. Campers can come stay for single nights or all four nights of the festival.
Tickets are moderately priced, with day passes ranging from $25 to $40. Adult Four-Day Tickets are $100 in advance, $120 at the gate. Youth, ages 13-15, are just $20 per day or $50 for four days, with kids 12 and under free. Tent Camping Passes are $25 per night or $50 for four nights. Vehicle Camping Passes, which include a tent pass are $50 per night or $100 for four nights. Any vehicle larger than 21 feet and cars towing campers are considered RVs and priced at $150.
For more information about the festival visit www.virginiakeygrassroots.com.
