Concerned that women's festivals were
on the verge of extinction – after several fabled venues shut down
– Linda Stonestreet started her own. Northern California Women's
Music Festival, which Stonestreet started from scratch, with little
experience producing and zero corporate support, has been stepping
along for four years now.
“I just thought 'Wow, this is a part
of our culture that's dying, that could go the same way as women's
bookstores, and just drop off the face of the earth and not be
relevant,” Stonestreet told Curve magazine.
The festival is held each year on a
40-acre wooded lot located three hours from San Francisco in tiny
Laytonville, California. The atmosphere, Stonestreet said,
is an “upscale camping experience”. Park your RV, pop a tent, or
rent a tepee, either way all your meals are included (imbibers bring
your own liquor).
The festival celebrates female
community though music, dance, and workshops. Here's a sampling of
the three-day lineup:
Friday, August 22: Woody Simmons
and her banjo promise to electrify the opening night of the festival
(www.woodysimmons.com).
Bay-area favorite Blame Sally's Pam and Jeri (www.blamesally.com)
are sure to delight with an acoustic performance.
Saturday, August 23: Celebrated
bluegrass performer Laura Love is certain to spark excitement when
she takes the stage.
Sunday, August 24: Terri Anne
Gutierrez and Susu Pampanin (www.terrianneandjoweh.com) offer
inspired belly dancing in the middle eastern tradition.
Yoga, meditation, and belly dancing are
just a couple examples of the workshops included.
While one-day tickets are available,
Stonestreet suggests women come for the entire weekend. “You need
three days to enjoy all the festival has to offer,” she told On
Top Magazine.
On the net: Festival website at
www.norcalwomensmusic.org.