Grassroots Festival 2006




Trying out the 10x optical zoom on my compact new digital camera (Panasonic Lumix TZ1) at our 3rd Grassroots Festival.  This is Black Fire {LISTEN}, a Navajo punk band.




The Rockridge Brothers {LISTEN}, a bluegrass band from Sweden of all places.  Sorry about the blur - shaky hands, long zoom and rather dark in the dance tent.




Eilen Jewell {LISTEN}, a blues/country/rock singer/songwriter.




John Brown's Body {LISTEN}, a local (and national) reggae band.  At the microphone here is Jhakeem from Thousands of One {LISTEN}.




Aurelio Martinez {LISTEN}, who plays music inspired by the Garifuna culture of Honduras.




Amanda enjoying the Tejano music of Christina Ortega {LISTEN} and Los Pochos {LISTEN} (this photo was from last year - much drier!)




Festival headliner Michael Franti and Spearhead {LISTEN1} brought his socially conscious funk/rock/hip-hop/reggae blend.




Amanda moves to the sounds of Michael Franti and Spearhead {LISTEN2}.




One last picture of Michael Franti and Spearhead {LISTEN3}, featuring a fancy flower arrangement dance performance.




Project Mastana {LISTEN} plays Indian-influenced jazz/funk/rock.




The Duhks {LISTEN}, a Canadian folk band that plays a little of everything. 




Musafir {LISTEN - click "Albums"}, musicians from the deserts of northwest India, and four mud-coated girls.




Mamadou Diabate {LISTEN}, from Mali (west Africa),  with his kora (huge gourd with 20 strings) on the right, balafon player on the left, energetic dancer and drummer in the middle.




A dark picture from last year's great performance by Samite {LISTEN}, ("sah-mee-tay", born in Uganda, third from left).




Jazz cellist Hank Roberts summons a vast array of sounds from his instrument.  He also plays with his band Wiggy Dog Boy {LISTEN}




The "Happiness Parade", delayed from Saturday to Sunday due to rain. 




Extreme close-up of a little grasshopper that landed on Amanda's jeans.




Folklore Urbano {LISTEN}, a Columbian/NYC jazz group, plays in front of the dance pit turned mud pit. 




A younger member of the Preston Frank Family Band {LISTEN} joins in the zydeco act.  Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band {LISTEN} bring a funk-infused flavor.