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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chris Honoré: Reality television and the GOP primaries ... Mural of rescued horses to be unveiled in Talent ... Designer creates spaces for people to have experiences ... Chris Honoré: Reality television and the GOP primaries ... Mural of rescued horses to be unveiled in Talent ... Designer creates spaces for people to have experiences ... QUILLS & QUEUES Ashland festival celebrates roots of American music Comment By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 8:50 PM By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 8:50 PM » Social News Live music lovers are in for a treat when the Rogue Valley Rootsfest comes to Ashland. The festival celebrates strong, vibrant music that has its roots in the Americas, including folk, country, blues, zydeco, bluegrass, traditional jazz, jug band and Latin. “This music is timeless,” said Ben DeBaldo, founder and promoter of The Gaia Project, which produces root music concerts. “It's not on the charts any more, but it still speaks to us, connects us with one another,” he added. The Rootsfest will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10, at the Southern Oregon University Music Hall. The event features 11 nationally and regionally known musicians performing throughout the weekend. The line-up includes a variety of talents, including Grammy-winning folk and bluegrass singer Peter Rowan, Rockabilly Hall of Fame member Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, the Shook Twins, Dustbowl Revival and the Honey Whiskey Trio, an award-winning a cappella group. “This will be the first such festival we've produced, and I am really pleased with the line-up. The valley has some great local talent, but I wanted to bring in different voices, some national talent. These are some amazing musicians,” said DeBaldo. “This music is our heritage and the Gaia project has strong, talented musicians keeping it alive.” In addition to music, the festival will also have local food vendors, beer and wine, and various arts and crafts vendors. Since the event falls on Mother's Day, the Sunday performance will kick off with a community gathering featuring performances by many of the festival artists singing songs in tribute to the women in our lives. “I'm excited about this part of the festival,” said DeBaldo. “Our performers will do songs that run the gamut from funny to heart wrenching, songs that celebrate our mothers and all the women who have touched our lives.” DeBaldo says that since this the Gaia Project's first festival, his goal was not to make it too big, allowing visitors to enjoy everything “I'm calling it a boutique festival,” he said. “It's a daunting task putting a program like this together and finding a venue, but I'm real happy with the way things came together. The SOU music hall is a great location, and there isn't a single bad seat in the place.” Eventually, DeBaldo would like to expand the festival to include outdoor venues. “If the word gets out, and the valley is excited about this kind of music, we can put on larger festivals with outdoor performances where people can get up and dance. This music makes you want to dance,” he said. Tickets for individual days are $45 and a weekend pass is $81. Tickets purchased before May 2 are $35 for individual days or $63 for a weekend pass. To purchase tickets or for a detailed schedule of events visit www.gaiaconcerts.com and at the Music Coop in Ashland. For more information, call 541-708-0715. SOU Music Hall is at 405 South Mountain Ave., Ashland. The Saturday event runs noon to 10 p.m. and the Sunday event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reach Ashland freelance writer Angela Decker at [email protected]. By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 8:50 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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