By Jim Stanford on March 28, 2009
It’s time to shimmy in our puffy down jackets again, although today ought to be 20 or perhaps 30 degrees warmer than last year’s Jackson Hole Mountain Fest. After that icy shindig with Michael Franti and Spearhead, we know that no matter what the weather brings, the show will go on.
The Jay Nash Band takes the stage at 5 p.m., followed by Ozomatli at 6:30.
The schedule allows for plenty of tailgating in the Teton Village parking lots once the lifts close, and ensures that the stage lights should be out in time for tonight’s Earth Hour, when people around the globe are dimming bulbs to reduce energy consumption and call for action against climate change.
In a nice gesture, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has added a humanitarian element to the festival by hosting a “Feed Your Soul” food drive. Folks attending the free concert are asked to bring rice, pasta, soups, tuna, canned fruits, juices, cereal, diapers and other nonperishable staples, which will be donated to the Jackson Food Cupboard. The resort has set a goal of 8,000 items.
(Once the lifts close in a week, the ranks of unemployed ski bums are likely to swell, and the skids will need that ramen and mac and cheese to survive.)
The food drive is in keeping with the socially conscious Ozomatli, who are as much activists as musicians. The above video features the band performing in Indonesia, where they served as cultural ambassadors on behalf of the U.S. State Department, and attests to the power of music to break down barriers.
In that spirit, I hope Jackson Hole’s Latino community comes out to shake to the samba alongside skiers and snowboarders jubilantly celebrating the close of another season. Viva la fiesta de las montañas!
Posted under Music, Ski Resorts
Yay… great show!! Fireworks in the snow are always going to be a great thing. I was somewhat baffled though at the Mangy Moose’s lack of marketing incentive. Seemed like 50% of the folks migrated into the lobby area of the Moose to utilize the rest rooms, however there was no live music scheduled for the evening. The band scheduled at the Knotty canceled…bummer. Would have been a rockin’ after party if there was a band (any band) at the Moose and/or the Knotty. Would still be there if so. ROCK!