AUGUST 8, 2008
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest Features Intriguing Colorado Musicians Otis Taylor, Eufórquestra, and Chie Imaizumi Orchestra
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Bohemian Nights, LLC is proud to present its 2008 lineup of nearly 60 Colorado artists, on five music stages, in historic Downtown, Fort Collins this August. Fort Collins’ birthday is celebrated each year with Northern Colorado’s largest community festival, Bohemian Nights at the 20th Annual NewWestFest, August 15-17, 2008. This year’s lineup includes seven Colorado bands who are agency signed artists making their mark on the national music scene. A few of the many intriguing Colorado artists coming to this year’s festival are Otis Taylor, Eufórquestra and Chie Imaizumi Orchestra.
Bohemian Nights is excited to present, the venerable Otis Taylor. In fact, Guitar Player magazine writes, “Otis Taylor is arguably the most relevant blues artist of our time.” Whether it’s his unique instrumentation (he fancies banjo and cello), or it’s the sudden sound of a female vocal, or a seemingly upbeat optimistic song takes a turn for the forlorn, what remains consistent is poignant storytelling based in truth and history. On his seventh CD, Below The Fold, due in stores this Summer, Taylor rolls out a set of stylistically varied songs that point to a blues-based center but are awash with Appalachian country overtones and moody, psychedelic rock. Taylor resides in Boulder, Colorado where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
Formally of Iowa and new to Fort Collins, Eufórquestra is a cutting-edge, world beat ensemble with influences spanning a wide spectrum of traditional music and culture from all over the globe. Eufórquestra has made it a mission to preserve cultural traditions, while at the same time innovating traditions by fusing different worldly styles and original ideas. Although a relatively young band, four-years in existence, Eufórquestra’s recent success has led to the creation of the company Eufórquestra Productions.
Receiving a number of awards and recognition in the past year, Chie Imaizumi Orchestra ( Pronounced "Chee-ay Ee-my-zu-me" ) new CD “Unfailing Kindness” appeared in five categories on the ballot for the 50th Grammy Awards. A native of Japan, composer/arranger/conductor Chie Imaizumi was named the 2007 Rocky Mountain Jazz “Artist of the Year” and “Rising Star Composer” by DownBeat Magazine, one of the most popular Jazz publications in print. Among her other accomplishments includes a commission by the Consulate General of Japan at Denver to arrange two famous Japanese traditional sounds, “Aka Tombo” and “Usagi to Kame”. Assembling an all-star, large ensemble to play intricate and uplifting music, each of Imaizumi’s compositions presents a musical narrative that reflects a different mood or style and chronicles various experiences in Imaizumi’s life, taking listeners on a musical journey.
August 7, 2008
BOHEMIAN NIGHTS AT NEWWESTFEST READY FOR PERFORMANCES, ATTENDEES
Event Organizers Offer Tips and Suggestions for Attendees of the Weekend-Long Music and Community Festival Taking Place Aug. 15-17 in Downtown Fort Collins
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – August 7, 2008 – Bohemian Nights at the 20th Annual NewWestFest, Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 17, brings together one of the largest collections of Colorado musicians with nearly 60 Colorado bands, more than 300 vending booths, delicious food, two beer gardens, a dance stage, Kids’ World, children’s carnival and over 80 free performances on seven stages in Historic Downtown Fort Collins. Part of the 20th annual NewWestFest celebration, Bohemian Nights will kick-off the free three-day outdoor event with a concert featuring local favorite 12 Cents for Marvin on Friday at 7 p.m. in Old Town Square. Legendary national headliners Taj Mahal Trio is performing on the Mountain Avenue Stage on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and Little Feat is performing on the Mountain Ave Stage on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
This highly popular event, with its music lineup funded by Bohemian Nights, LLC, is free and open to the public, and is expected to attract thousands of attendees throughout the weekend. As such, organizers are providing tips and suggestions for attendees to keep in mind so that everyone can get the most out of this musical and community celebration. Festival and music information can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.NewWestFest.com" www.NewWestFest.com.
Traffic and Parking
Road closures: A number of streets in the Downtown Fort Collins area will be closed during the festival, including Walnut Avenue, East Mountain Avenue, Library Park Area, East Oak Street and North Mathews Street.
Parking garages: Paid parking is available at two covered garages/structures. Saturday Event parking $2 all day and Sunday parking is free.
The Civic Center Parking Garage is located on the corner of Mason Street and LaPorte Avenue. Garage entrances and exits are located on each street. Please note that Mason Street is one-way and northbound.
The Old Town Parking Structure is located on the corner of Remington Street and Mountain Avenue. The garage entrance and exit is located on Remington Street.
Street parking: Free parking is available on downtown Fort Collins streets. However, parking is limited due to road closures and two-hour parking spots.
Event Details
Festival & Entertainment Hours:
FRIDAY: Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest musical lineup kicks off the weekend on Friday, August 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a concert in Old Town Square
SATURDAY: The full festival opens at 10:00am and vending continues until 7 p.m. that evening with music concerts until 10 p.m.
Music performances start at 11:15 a.m. and conclude at 10 p.m.
SUNDAY: Festival hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Music performances start at 11:15 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m.
Performance start and end times are staggered so that attendees can enjoy a variety of performances and genres of music throughout the day. Concert attendees are welcome to arrive as early as desired and are invited to enjoy numerous vendor displays and other festival attractions.
Stages: Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest proudly presents continuous entertainment on seven stages with over 80 performances throughout the weekend. Bohemian Nights live music lineups on five stages located throughout the festival area will highlight a wide range of musical styles and genres. The Dance Showcase Stage will host world, contemporary styles, salsa, and more performances, while the Kids World Stage will focus on community groups and kids related shows.
Mountain Avenue Music Stage
Library Park Music Stage
Old Town Square Music Stage
Walnut Street Music Stage
Kids’ Music Adventure (stage & hands on area) (in the Fort Collins Museum Courtyard)
Dance Showcase Stage
Kids’ World Stage
Performance Standing and Seating Areas: Because all performances are free and nearly all are located on city streets and/or walkways, comfortable clothing and walking shoes are encouraged. A tented seating area with tables and chairs will be located at Walnut Street Stage, Dance Showcase Stage & Kids’ Music Adventure. Additional tables and chairs will be located on the Mountain Avenue Stage; however they will be removed between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday to prepare for larger crowd sizes during the headliner and opening act performances.
Event information/ Lost and Found: During the event, information booths and lost and found will be located at the intersections of Oak and Mathews Streets and at Mountain Avenue and Mathews Street.
Performance Information: Bohemian Nights music guides will be available at the kiosk in Old Town Square and at many downtown Fort Collins businesses prior to the event. During the festival the information booths will have the music guides, as well as the official Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest guide. Additional information can be found in advance by visiting www.newwestfest.com.
Going Green: Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest is going green. Zero Hero and Gallegos Sanitation will aid efforts to use biodiesel in generators and offer options for recycling and composting. Recycling areas will be located throughout the festival with recycling assistants on hand to aid the public with greening efforts. Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest is also encouraging the use of alternative transportation to and from the festival.
Accessibility: ADA accessible areas will be available at the festival and will be clearly marked.
Medical assistance: A first aid/EMT station staffed by paramedics will be located on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Mathews Street.
Inclement weather: The festival will go on rain or shine, unless there are severe or potentially dangerous weather conditions. In the event of severe weather, announcements will be made from stages and information booths directing attendees to take shelter.
Food and alcohol: Food vendors will be located throughout the festival and attendees are also welcome to bring food to the event. Two beer gardens will be in operation at the festival. Attendees must be 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license in order to consume alcohol. Outside alcohol will not be permitted.
Restrooms: Portable restrooms will be located at multiple locations throughout the festival with a central bank of port-o-lets located on Chestnut Street.
Pets: No Pets Allowed. Due to weather temperatures, lack of water and expected attendance levels, attendees are asked to leave their pets at home.
“We want everyone to have all of the information they need to make Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest an enjoyable, safe, and memorable experience for all who come out to the festival,” said Merry Hummell of Bohemian Foundation. “Every year we work very closely with the Downtown Business Association and the Fort Collins Police and Fire Departments to ensure that everyone who attends the festival can just enjoy the music, performances and festival in a safe and pleasant environment.”
JUNE 12, 2008
BOHEMIAN NIGHTS AT NEWWESTFEST RELEASES 2008 ARTIST LINEUP
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Bohemian Nights, LLC is pleased to announce the 2008 Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest artist lineup.
Part of the 20th annual NewWestFest celebration, Bohemian Nights will feature nearly 60 Colorado bands performing on five stages in the Historic Downtown Fort Collins area. The three-day Bohemian Nights music program is free to the public and runs August 15 -17. The Friday night kick-off concert starts at 7 p.m. in Old Town Square with local favorite, 12 Cents For Marvin. Legendary national acts Taj Mahal Trio and Little Feat headline the Mountain Avenue Stage on Saturday and Sunday.
“We are excited to once again present the musical portion of the festival to the citizens of Fort Collins and surrounding areas,” Merry Hummell, of Bohemian Foundation said. “We are looking forward to filling the streets of Downtown with Colorado musicians who will provide the musical soundtrack for NewWestFest as we celebrate Fort Collins’ birthday.”
In addition to the Taj Mahal and Little Feat performances, a total of 23 Fort Collins, three Northern Colorado, 17 Denver, five Boulder/Longmont area and two Southern Colorado bands will perform during the three-day outdoor festival. Seven agency signed artists are incorporated in the lineup, including the Otis Taylor Band, Eufórquestra, Tickle Me Pink and Railbenders. A variety of music genres are represented.
“Showcasing Colorado artists is our goal,” Hummell said. “We are proud each year to offer a diverse lineup that exposes the community to different kinds of music they may not otherwise hear. It is impressive to witness the depth and breadth of Colorado musical talent and we are so pleased to be able to share the experience as a community.”
Musical highlights include the Friday night kick-off concert, music running on five stages starting at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and Kids’ Music Adventure (KMA), designed to expose school-aged children to music. KMA is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and hosts music workshops, an instrument petting zoo and special performances suited for children of all ages.
”We want kids to be exposed to music in every way possible. At KMA, kids can learn about the science of sound, how to play an instrument, how to write a song and how to appreciate music all in one place that’s fun and just for them,” Hummell said.