BradFest continues to embrace wide range of music, inspire shenanigans

Where else can you find bands, camping, pie, robots, belly dancing, beer, and a mud pit?!

 

During the first weekend of August, the Lake County Fairgrounds in Two
Harbors will be transformed by an extraordinary event. The third annual BradFest has
enlisted a variety of notable musicians and will feature an assortment of antics, such as the
infamous pie fight, laughing yoga, creative use of a mud pit, and more.

 

BradFest memorializes Duluth percussionist Brad Rozman and benefits young Minnesota
musicians. The festival just confirmed several high‐caliber acts to the lineup. Acclaimed
alternative rock veterans Cracker and Minneapolis‐based, punk pop darlings Sick of Sarah
head the lineup. Other notable acts include Rhymesayers Entertainment hip hop artist Toki
Wright, venerable AmRep noise rockers Hammerhead, and reggae‐tinged indie post‐
punkers Sweet Ray Laurel.

 

BradFest serves up a unique festival experience featuring a packed lineup of stellar music
from a wide variety of genres. The festival cultivates a spirit of community among
musicians, entertainers, and attendees alike.“Minnesota offers a wealth of excellent music
to showcase, and our festival is now also beginning to attract talent from across the
country. We work hard to program a diverse mix guaranteed to challenge and reward our
audience,” says Troy Rogers, the festival’s artistic director.

 

“Our festival’s namesake, Brad Rozman, had a wonderfully wacky sense of humor, so we
honor his spirit with a pie fight and other antics,” says Rogers. “People of all ages enjoy
watching someone get splattered by pie. It’s wholesome fun for the whole family. We
always try to include some surprise elements to liven things up.”

 

This year marks a significant expansion of festival. It has moved to the Lake County
Fairgrounds, where there is on‐site camping for attendees, plentiful parking, and an indoor
stage in case of severe weather. The event will take place rain or shine and will include
food, craft beer, and a silent auction raising money to support programs for young
musicians in Minnesota.

 

Find out more and get tickets online at www.bradfest.org

Making an impact

Friends of Brad’s purpose is to directly assist young Minnesota musicians. With money raised from the inaugural BradFest, we are already making an impact. We awarded two college scholarships to Iron Range musicians. We donated money to the Two Harbors high school band for the purchase of percussion instruments. We also created a fellowship for young professional musicians residing in Northeastern MN to provide support during the often-difficult time between formal music training and the onset of a professional music career (to be awarded in the fall). And we’re working to set up a visiting artist fund at St. Cloud State University (Brad’s Alma mater).

We’re gearing up for the second annual BradFest now. There will be pie and it’s sure to be a great time, with an eclectic mix of music and entertainment. New this year: Brazilian street samba led by Terry Vermillion, Brad’s former mentor! Hope to see you there!

Save the Date for BradFest 2011! – August 5-6

BradFest is a memorial music festival, organized by the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation, that will benefit young Minnesota musicians and honor the the life of Bradley E. Rozman.

The inaugural Bradfest was a success and the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation would like to thanks the many wonderful people who helped make it so.

Bradfest is an annual music festival that will feature an eclectic mix of local and regional live music, entertainment, refreshments, and some silly surprises.

Please join us in our mission to celebrate and cultivate young MN musicians!