#Gardenstock15

Creativity builds community. The Gardenstock community over the years has gathered yearly to celebrate the area's diverse artistic wealth and keep alive a program that nourishes the soul, mind and bellies of this area's youth. Like a strong flower that can withstand the storms that come it's way, the Sinnissippi Centers' Youth Garden Program has been sustained and has weathered the storms of diminishing funding for human services because of the support of Gardenstock. So now is the time for Gardenstocker troops to rally for a day of art, music, fun and civic-minded flower power. The Sinnissippi Centers' Youth Garden Program needs the Gardenstock community. That donation keeps the program alive.

What's New : Online Tickets, Tent Rental, Parking, Social Media

In 2014, Gardenstock reached new milestones in attendance and crowd enthusiasm.  And organizers started planning for enhancements of this year’s event that very day.  Improvements include expansion of social media, tent rentals, stage view and parking. It takes close to three hundred people including artists, musicians, vendors and volunteers to put on the event, each donating their time and talent to make it a success and keep the Youth Garden growing.  August 15, 2015 marks the 7^th annual Gardenstock Art and Music Festival benefit for the Sinnissippi Center’s Youth Garden Program.

#Gardenstock15 : The Official Hash Tag for this Year

Social media coverage steps up a notch with the addition of community social media activity aggregating across multiple platforms. The official hash tag for this year is #gardenstock15. The social media team will be tracking other Gardenstock-related hash tags as well. Tracking includes hash tagged posts on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. All community activity surrounding the #Gardenstock15 hash tag can be seen on the Distinctive Gardens website under "Gardenstock Social Buzz". Plans are in the works to project the aggregation site live during the festival.

Parking 

Gardenstock is approaching capacity. 2014 growth pushed toward maximum for both people and cars. Last year's parking expansion and shuttle service alleviated congestion and was fully utilized. Carpooling is now highly encouraged. There are three parking lots available. The Distinctive Gardens Back Grass Lot opens first followed by the Hummel Lot and finally a shuttle service to the Wendler Lot. Last year all three lots reached capacity by 4pm. In the event all three fill this year the shuttle will begin an extended route between the Shopko parking lot on Galena and Lowell Park, the Wendler Lot and Gardenstock festival grounds. Guests need to be prepared for parking diversions.

Limited Tickets and Tent Rental

Based on last year's event organizers estimate capacity at between 2500-3000. For this reason, tickets will be limited. Ordering online is encouraged.Ticket Wristbands cost $6 for adults 13 and up and $1 for children 12 and younger. Once available tickets sell out day of ticket purchase will cease.

Tent Rental sold out in two days in 2014. Given high interest quantity has been almost doubled to accommodate guests. Thirty-six tents throughout the grounds will be available for reserve, first come first serve. For the benefit of everyone, guests can no longer bring large tables and tents onto festival grounds. This is so everyone can have a great view. However, coolers, blankets, lawn chairs and small, close-to-the-ground tables remain allowed. Tent reserve and limited ticket wristbands go on sale online, Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 7:00 a.m. on the Distinctive Gardens website. 

The Bands

11:00 - 12:00 Chuck Gall

12:15 - 1:15 Team Goodvibes

1:30 - 2:30 Lunch with Pedro

2:45 - 3:45 Small Town Hymnal

4:00 - 5:00 Melanie Devaney

5:15 - 6:15 Wrong Element

6:30 - 7:45 Lojo Russo

8:00 - 9:15 The Dirty Beet Brothers

9:30 - 11:00 The Acoustic Knuckle Ride

 

It's the year of the songwriter.

Gardenstock delivers up an array of bands steadily working their craft to produce a rich variety of original music. Opening the show duo 12+4 featuring 12-String Charlie Gall and 4-string bass man Jim Vancko, kick off the party at 11:00 a.m. with their self-proclaimed 60's hippie music. Next up, new band, Team Goodvibes dishes up a good serving of jam band tunes for the lunchtime rush.

1:30 lunch continues, "Pedro-style" with the alternative sounds of Lunch with Pedro. Ranging from edgy, growling rock guitar, to mellow folk-style jams that would make Dylan and the Dead proud. They come packed with originals such as "Timekeeper" and "Illinois". Original work includes discography, "The Soup Sandwich Theory" and "The Alligator Wine Experiment".

At 2:45 gears shift to roots rock, folk and alternative country. Small Town Hymnal is back after a thrilling Gardenstock set you could hear wafting through the grounds with the most amazing vocals of power tenor, Lucas Pauley. Currently in studio working on their debut EP, catch a taste of the deliciousness on iTunes with their hit single "Cigarettes".

4:00, Gardenstock gets lucky and nabs singer/songwriter, L.A. based, Melanie Devaney while out on her summer tour. Creative writer set fire by song; Devaney draws in her audience with rich lyrics that paint sonic portraits with sound. Her latest CD, "Single Subject Notebook" offers an inspired selection of heart-felt stories stemming from outward observations, imaginative spirit and on rare occasion, personal reflection. Melding training in creative writing and classical music, Devaney creates thought provoking, resonant song work delivered through a voice with depth and breadth. Masterfully produced by Grammy-nominated Jamie Candiloro (R.E.M/Willie Nelson/The Eagles/Ryan Adams/ Ed Kowalczyk) "Single Subject Notebook" casts pristine light on Devaney's voice in such a way as to clearly understand her well deserved recognition in the Colgate Country Showdown as a finalist and being listed in Music Connection magazine's Top 100 Unsigned Artists to look for in 2011.

5:15 brings out house band, Wrong Element delivering up a mix of originals with their eclectic blend of rootsy, bluesy and occasionally twangy classic and alternative rock and country. Tom Padilla, Tony Fiorini, Scott Seeley, and Mike Padilla throughout the years anchor the 5 o'clock slot stirring the crowd from afternoon delight into evening enchantment.

Not many musicians can span genre as effortlessly as our next guest. At 6:30 Lojo Russo steps onto the stage with her tremendous voice, magnetic lyrics and amazing percussive style guitar work. Garnering the OurStage #1 Fan Vote at Lilith Fair: Minneapolis in 2010, Lojo moves from roots rock to sweet folk without missing a beat. This year, however, Lojo's been busy. In addition to her solo work she is now touring with her new Celtic group the Hounds of Finn. Lojo and fiddle player, Michelle MacGregor, two of the three "Hounds" will drop in to share a wide range of originals from Hounds to solo Lojo material. Be prepared for a mix of Celtic, roots rock and traditional folk tunes.

Bluegrass, Blues, and good ole American Rock and Roll only scratch the surface in describing the next band, The Dirty Beet Brothers plugging in at 8:00 pm. With lightening speed and heart pounding energy this tightly knit band transports audience hearts and minds into a good ole fashioned hootenanny "Beet-style". Currently preparing to release their first CD, "Modern Time Shine" the band is midstream for raising production funds through Indiegogo. The band will be dedicating this album to the memory of their band mate, dobro, electric guitarist and vocalist, Alan Repass who recently passed away in a motorcycle accident. Please find their campaign at Indiegogo.com and search "The Dirty Beet Brothers Album Release".

If you aren't already up on your feet and dancing after The Dirty Beet Brothers you will after this next band. Closing the show at 9:30, the pied piper of crowd rousing, Cralles Borden and crew bring the show to a close with The Acoustic Knuckle Ride. Two years running this band has turned on the juice and got the crowd roaring. Magnetic guitarist, Eric Mullen rips off runs on an acoustic guitar like it's electric while Terry Enright, Tim Schumaker and David Carter hold down the musical fort through this well oiled and finely tuned musical group.

Art Alley Opens at 10:00 a.m. 

The Artists

The Art Festival grows to 42 of the region's best artists showcasing a variety of unusual art and fine craft from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is packed with veteran Gardenstockers: Sinnissippi Center Garden Program kids selling handmade tie-dye t-shirts; jewelers, Kimberly Clark, Becky Cortez, Sasha Tweel, Natalie Picchi, Kristin Jones, Ellen Repass, Jude Gonzales, Dale Curry; painters, Tim Drane, Sydni Reubin, Jessica Lopez, Deb Cleary, Emily Garcia, Betty Love; sculptors, Leland Sedig, Sloane Wolfe; photographers, Brian Lutz, Tina Rockwell, Kevin Smoot; ceramicists, Teri Wells, Carol Deibert, Bob Milano; and mixed media artists, Heather Houzenga, Brittany Waterhouse, Laura Miller, Crystal Collinson, Amber Goldie, Henry Matthiessen, Heather Marshall, Jane Forrest-Zia, Cindy Bielefeldt, Heidi Earl, Lisa Anderson, Jayne DeMarco, and Susi Alvarado Daniel. New artists include: painters Ken Reif, Victoria Sels, ceramicist, Daniel McCabe, jeweler, Natalie Gordon, and mixed media artists, Leslie Jenner, Heather Shore, Jesey Nicholson, Gina Fiorini-Frank, and Judi Alvarado Kickel.

The Tie Dye Contest

Last year, the Tie Dye contest had the best voting streak yet with a boost from our Social Media volunteers, Alex Trost and Mason Cannon. Fest goers can enter by getting their picture taken between 11:00-3:00 p.m. Voting begins on Facebook between 3:00-6:00 p.m. Most 'likes' on Gardenstock's Facebook Tie Dye Contest Album wins.

The Raffle and 50/50 Drawing

This year's raffle has grown by another third. 36 of 42 Gardenstock artists donated items for the raffle. A catalog of their offerings can be found at the Gardenstock page on Distinctive Gardens website as well as the Gardenstock Facebook page's 2015 Donation Album. Buy raffle and 50/50 tickets at the Info Booth starting at 11:00 or from raffle ticket sellers. Raffle drawing times: 2:30, 3:45, 5:00, 6:15 p.m. 50/50 drawing is at 7:45 p.m.

The Fire Show

Redric Brooks is back with even more spectacular fire tricks. He wowed the crowd last year in front of the pavilion and will make his appearance at 9:15 pm.

The Food

Gardenstock is ''picnic style'' meaning you can bring your own chair or blanket and cooler or beverage. From 11 – 8 p.m., food vendors offer a fine range of beverage and cuisine such as Italian by Mama Cimino's, barbeques and desserts by Baker Street Café, loaded Italian beef sandwiches by Kokomo's, works of edible art by Art Cookies, amazingly good-for-you food by Ginkgo Tree Cafe and smoothies by Air Play Sports and Espresso.

Pack your coolers, throw the kids in the car, and grab that favorite tie-dye. It's Gardenstock time! It will be the best bang for your cultural buck in town, Saturday, August 15, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. at Distinctive Gardens in Dixon, IL.

The Sinnissippi Center's Youth Garden Program

The Sinnissippi Centers' Youth Garden Program provides valuable hands-on gardening experiences for at risk youth involved with Sinnissippi and is a great tool to open lines of communication. The Gardening Program serves as an add-on to regular services and utilizes both consumers and individuals from the community to raise produce from a vegetable garden that in turn is donated to the Dixon Food Pantry.