Step back a few years to a time of peace, love, and music. Imagine a sun-soaked clearing and a stage filled with performers all day and night. Hundreds of people dance among shady oak trees, while children run about or get creative at art stations making tie-dyed shirts. The feeling is relaxed, there’s a sense of brotherhood, and all of the rules your momma taught you come into play—do unto others, share, show respect. OK, now drop the sugar cube—this isn’t Woodstock. It’s the Live Oak Music Festival, and organizers are gearing up for another event full of peace, love, and dirt.
The original concept for the Live Oak Festival actually came from a Jazz in the Park series that KCBX Public Radio planned 30 years ago. It eventually evolved into the Live Oak Music Festival. Taking place over Father’s Day weekend, the festival celebrates all types of music heard on KCBX: jazz, zydeco, folk, South American, and African music, along with many other genres.
The founders wanted it to be more than just a fundraiser for KCBX—which it is—and more than just a typical music festival. They wanted to set a tone.
“They had a vision of a utopia weekend where no one is yelling at each other, there’s no reason to yell at your kids,” said Marisa Waddell, entertainment coordinator for the festival.
That philosophy became known as the Live Oak Way and it encompasses everything children are taught growing up: be nice to one another, keep your hands to yourself, and help others.
“They wanted that kindness and compassion to be the ethic of Live Oak,” Waddell said.
It’s that compassion that wowed Elaine Genasci, Live Oak promotions coordinator, the first time she attended in 1999.
“I was invited by friends and they said, ‘There’s this camping thing and music festival. [But] it’s more than a camping thing and music festival,’” Genasci said. “I was completely taken.”
Genasci has gone every year since and the spirit is still the same; she sees a lot of the same faces and always discovers new music she loves. She also travels to other musical festivals, but she said none of them compare.
Genasci’s friends knew a good thing when they invited her. Gerry Mueller, a friend of Genasci and longtime Live Oakie, said the camaraderie and music make the event special.
“Some friends we only see once a year at Live Oak; others we see more often, but Live Oak is the time when we can all sit around and spend more time together, talk, eat, and listen to music. It really is one of the highlights of my year. You wake up hearing music and go to sleep at night hearing music,” Mueller said.
Mueller’s husband, Jay, said his wife is focusing on the romantic aspect of things, but Live Oak happens by the sweat and muscle of volunteers.
“Many volunteers are there earlier in the week to do the nitty-gritty of making this all happen,” Jay said.
Jay is part of the crew that sets up the stage the Monday before the festival and dismantles it the Monday after the festival. He said he used to coordinate the sales of ice during the festival, but now he is “retired.”
“I say ‘retired’ because I’m free during the entire festival,” he said.
George Griffin also gives his all to make the festival happen, but it’s a small price for what he gets in return.
“We eat and chat, and we hang out in camp and socialize, and we also listen and dance to the great music. I see most of my campmates regularly, but over the Live Oak weekend, we have much more intimate time together,” Griffin said.
Griffin said being away from busy schedules, phones, and e-mail allows him and his friends to relax and better connect. One year he was even able to make a love connection.
“I met my sweetheart, Liz, there. It’s an anniversary of sorts. Though that’s not the reason I go back each year, it’s one reason why Live Oak is special to me.”
Griffin also volunteers on the set-up and take-down committee, something he does as his small part in giving back to what KCBX provides for the community. He’s far from alone in his gratitude. Hundreds of people like Mueller and Griffin volunteer to make the event special, from picking up trash to helping the bands backstage feel comfortable with comforts like massage and wine tasting, Waddell said.
“Bands actually want to come back. They say, ‘This is the best I’ve ever been treated,’” Waddell said.
This spirit of generosity and goodwill is part of the Live Oak Way. However, to keep the Live Oak Way intact, there are some unspoken rules:
Everyone cleans up after himself or herself, leaving the campsite looking as untouched as possible.
Be kind to the other campers. Everyone is expected to use low back chairs in the concert area so as not to obstruct the views of others.
And to ensure you get a seat right where you want to be, there’s the Acorn Roll. Campers can roll out of bed early, put their chair where they want to sit later in the day, and leave it, knowing anyone else can use it during the day until the chair owner is ready to enjoy the show.
However, it doesn’t mean that campers actually sit in their seats. The music, while diverse and new to a lot of campers, is moving enough to get everyone on their feet.
Waddell said the music committee chooses acts of high musical standards. Made up of musicians and people who have been in the music industry, and have a broad knowledge of different types of music, the committee draws on that knowledge to find quality bands. The quality shines through.
Most campers say they are open to different genres of music and usually end up surprised to find new music they enjoy.
Genasci said part of it is the magic that comes from hearing the music live.
“When you hear something on the radio you just don’t see how they play and the emotion they put into their work,” she said.
Waddell said June 20 will highlight New Orleans bands like Amanda Shaw, the Subdudes, and Trombone Shorty. Shaw, at 18 years old, wields a fiddle and displays amazing talent. Trombone Shorty, who was once a member of Lenny Kravitz’s horn section, fuses a super funked-out New Orleans jazz and rock. In keeping with the theme, Mardi Gras krewes from San Luis Obispo will be on hand tossing beads.
Waddell said anyone who wants to party should come out that night for a particularly spirited experience. However, every night will hold a surprise for visitors, whether camping or just staying for the day. Along with the music are shopping and food booths.
The event is also family friendly.
“We actually have kids who were conceived at Live Oak and now are in college. We call them the Live Oak Babies, and they keep coming back with their families,” Waddell said.
To keep those babies busy, arts and crafts booths abound. There’s a booth for kids to create Father’s Day cards and tie-dye shirts, and there’s even a kid dance clinic.
Despite all the activities, the focus is still the music. This year there will be 16 main stage acts, and six workshops in which Live Oakies can interact with the musicians, ask questions, and even, in some cases, try out instruments.
One such workshop is put on by Joe Craven, who, Waddell said, “is crazy and brilliant and puts on the best workshop I’ve seen. His goal is to get everyone to believe they can play music.”
The Joe Jam, as it’s called, takes place over June 20 and 21, and Craven encourages people to bring their instruments and voices and learn improvisation and how to play well with others.
For visitors just wanting to try out an instrument, a workshop by the Masanga Marimba ensemble offers a hands-on demonstration.
No matter the activity, campers can be sure of one thing—a good time, fond memories, and new friends.
“KCBX has gone out of their way to make sure the atmosphere is mellow and enjoyable for everybody, and everyone seems to respect that,” Genasci said. m
Arts Editor Shelly Cone has fun wherever she goes. Join her party at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 4-11, 2009.