The Liberate Music and Arts and Festival is not your average music festival. Presented by Eclectic Music Productions( the producers of the Burlington Yoga Conference), this one of a kind event, now in its second year, will take place August 21 and 22nd in Sheldon, Vermont.
For those looking for a smaller more community based festival, aside from today’s 50,000+capacity events, Liberate offers 20+ live bands and electronic music until sunrise, two nights of free camping, yoga, healing arts,a children’s tent, bonfires, fire dancers, Artists Market, art demonstrations, organic food and local beer, Eco and Nutrition Workshops, nature trails, and more good stuff. This year’s lineup includes: The New Deal (two sets), Ryan Montbleau Band, Orchard Lounge, Rubblebucket Orchestra, The Brew, Nate Wilson Group, Spiritual Rez, Ded Sessions, Roots of Creation, Twiddle, Strength in Numbers, Jeff Bujak, Greyspoke, DJ Monaco, WAGAN, The Human Canvas, and Band of Gypsies (the Jimi Hendrix Tribute.
Glide had a chance to speak with Liberate’s founders to find out more wabout this innovative and special weekend ahead..
This year Liberate will be in a new location, tell us about this location and why its special?
Liberate is held at 845 Poor Farm Road. in Sheldon VT. This is the land where one of the festival coordinators grew up. Liberate will sit on 65 acres, including 25 acres of open meadow. This is majestic Vermont land and we are grateful and happy to share it with everyone. If we treat it with respect we can host festivals here for years to come. In this sense its like a homecoming. We’re sure that when you see this beautiful land you’ll feel the same way.
There are going to be so many creative things happening that are not music related, can you tell us about some of them?
The first are the creative arts and the healing arts. We have a thriving art market including artist, crafts and local goods, for our crowd. We have over 15 healing arts workshops through out the day, including blissfull collidiscope kundalini yoga, nourishment menus with the Healthy Hippie, shady spot yoga talks with Prem Prakash. There will be herbs walks and lots of events for kids. The price of the ticket alone is worth it for the healing arts!!! This is basically 2 days and nights of concerts back to back with a farmers market style vending area, and healing arts conference at the same time.
I understand its important for you to have a "green" festival, in what ways are you making sure we are all taking care of the planet, while having fun?
Everything is going to get recycled or composted. We will have tips, signage and information about how to be green. The whole thing is about breaking through old patterns and habits and welcoming change. Our volunteers AND guests are key in helping to make that happen. Ahh… Liberate!!!
What are some of your goals for future music festivals?
Jane says:The goal of the Liberate music festivals are to spread the times less ideals of love, peace and music as well as celebrating freedom and the arts in a sustainable and realistic way that benefits everyone involved….oh yeah and Micheal Franti and Barak Obama!! Jane thinks Ben would say "World Domination"Ben says: to be the most liberating, mindblowing, kick ass time, while simultaneously being productive, healthy, and encouraging sharing of all kinds! I hope that every year this festival helps people to ‘liberate’ themselves from things that they don’t need in their lives to make more room for the things that are great!
Planning a festival must be so time consuming, what are some things you do to relax?
Lucky for us a large part of the Liberate mission is relaxation! We do love to eat healthy food ,practice yoga in many ways. We like to be in nature. We love to hang out with our doggie Luna and our kitty, Chloe. Another important part of life for us is to have friends over and celebrate food. We like to hit the road and explore when we get the chance. the ocean…..the sun….. basically knowing when its time to just shut down for a bit and knowing when you’ve hit your brain’s limit. Its mental fatigue… not physical for sure!
What is your favorite part of putting on a music festival?
The smiles on peoples face, the collective energy we harness, the talent, the shakti(vitality)! Yeah, the smiles when you see appreciation and people basically having a really positive and healthy experience while rockin’ out hard. 
What are some of the bands playing you are most excited about?
The New Deal, Orchard Lounge, Rubblebucket, Ryan Montbleau Band, The Brew, and The Dead Sessions, Twiddle, so many,… Each and everyone means something special to us!
There are couples out there that are good business partners and some that are not, do you have any advice for other couples trying out a business endeavor?
Visualize the end goal and a positive result, remember you are working on the same goal, its neccessary to take breaks and enjoy things, as easy as it is to be hard on each other remember to compliment each other, be eachother best friends! Be honest with each other about what you like and don’t! It’s both of your babies.
What are some musical events happening this summer that you get to see and enjoy with no work involved?
Rothbury-we are pumped, The Shelburn Concerts on the green, and Discover jazz festival…We recently saw a concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and some special guests from Mexico… unbelievable!
Do you have a favorite quote or saying you would like to share?
OM MANI PADME HUNG
LIB-ER-ATE!
For more information on Liberate, head on over to the festival’s myspace page.
Glide contributor Melissa Brodeur writes and works within her three passions: alternative health, music and bees by providing off-beat, creative healing methods to musicians and artist and creative minds alike. Check her out at beewellmassage.com.
