As previously announced, the 2011 Ecstatic Music Festival, presented by New York City's Merkin Concert Hall in association with New Amsterdam Records, is a showcase of imaginative collaborations between more than 150 genre-pushing composers, songwriters and performers who represent a new generation of artists combining diverse influences and techniques to explore the intersection of classical and pop music. All concerts will include premieres. The festival opens with a free seven-hour marathon on January 17, 2011, and continues with 13 additional concerts until March 28, 2011. All concerts will take place at Merkin Concert Hall.

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January 2011 Ecstatic Music Festival Schedule:

Sun. 1/16/11, 7 pm @ Apple Store on Broadway at 67th Street, FREE

Panel discussion with Ecstatic Music Festival artists -- moderated by Nadia Sirota, featuring panelists Dan Deacon, Nico Muhly, Valgier Sigurdsson, Missy Mazzoli and Tristan Perich.

Mon. 1/17/11, 2-9 pm, FREE

Ecstatic Music Festival Marathon

Headliners Buke & Gass and Victoire are joined by So Percussion, Nadia Sirota, Timo Andres, Gabriel Kahane, Chiara String Quartet, John Matthias, NOW Ensemble, Lisa Moore and others.

Wed. 1/19/11, 7:30 pm  

Creator/Curator, vol. 3: The Chiara String Quartet and the Music of Nico Muhly & Valgeir Sigurdsson

The Chiara String Quartet presents the third in their Creator/Curator series, focusing on composer Nico Muhly. The luminous quartet will perform world premieres of Muhly's Diacritical Marks and Valgeir Sigurdsson’s Nebraska Quartet, plus other music by Muhly and Sigurdsson as well as music that has influenced Muhly. A long-time collaborator with Muhly, the acclaimed Icelandic composer/producer Sigurdsson is well known as a producer for Björk and Bonnie “Prince” Billy.

Thu. 1/20/11, 7:30 pm

So Percussion & Dan Deacon

In a series of new collaborative works, the electronic iconoclast Dan Deacon, whose visceral and sophisticated work has inspired a near-cult following, joins the entrancing So Percussion quartet for an evening of new works and arrangements of his older music. So Percussion will also perform selections from their own vast and varied output.

Sat. 1/22/11, 7:30 pm

Craig Wedren, Jefferson Friedman & ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble)

Former Shudder To Think lead singer Craig Wedren and rising contemporary classical star Jefferson Friedman premiere the complete version of their critically-acclaimed song cycle “On In Love” with ACME. ACME will also perform Meredith Monk’s Stringsongs and arrangements of film music by Wedren, who will additionally present solo versions of a selection of his own songs.

Sun. 1/30/11, 2 pm

Alarm Will Sound & Face the Music

The 20-member chamber giant Alarm Will Sound is joined by Kaufman Center’s teen new music ensemble Face the Music for a performance of Steve Reich's Tehillim. The program also features an array of electronic musicians whose work is transferred to the acoustic realm, as Alarm Will Sound presents the premiere of a new arrangement by Ben Frost, along with music of Aphex Twin, Preshish Moments and Matt Marks/Stefan Freund, while Face the Music plays music by Tristan Perich.

The initial lineup for Spring hookahville 2011 has been announced. In addition to 2 nights of ekoostik hookah, Yonder Mountain String Band will be making a return appearance and Slightly Stoopid will also perform. Many, many more acts will be announced soon.

This will be the 35th installment of hookahville, which is held twice a year on Memorial and Labor Day weekends. Spring Hookahville will be held on Memorial Day Weekend 5/28 - 5/30/2011 at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for a limited time for only $50. VIP tickets are also available for $150. BUY TICKETS HERE

Hookahville has designated camping areas for the handicapped, families and those wishing a quiet camping area. Children 12 and under are admitted free, and the festival is an all ages event. Camping is included in the price of admission, with primitive camping services including bathrooms, medical staff and water. Vendors offer many different dining choices as well as a wide variety of merchandise. Alcohol is not sold at Hookahville; however you are free to bring your own.

Big IV Productions is proud to announce details for the 15th annual Suwannee Springfest. The perfect way to kick-off festival season, the event will take place March 24-27, 2011 at Live Oak, Florida’s Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Voted “Florida’s Best Live Music Venue” in 2009 by readers of Florida Monthly Magazine, the park resides next to the historic Suwannee River and boasts over 800 acres of perfect campsites with Spanish moss covered oak and pine trees providing shade and mood. Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also a full service campground offering cabin rentals, RV hookups, and a wide range of amenities including a restaurant, general store, showers and bathrooms.

The critically acclaimed Suwannee Springfest will once again feature the best and brightest Americana and grassroots artists performing new and traditional folk, rock & roll, bluegrass and newgrass, alt-country and more. Confirmed talent for the 2011 fest includes: The Avett Brothers, David Grisman Sextet, Jesse McReynolds, Donna The Buffalo, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Travelin' McCourys with The Lee Boys, Jim Lauderdale, Mosier Brothers, Acoustic Syndicate, Danny Barnes, Scythian, Trampled By Turtles, Steep Canyon Rangers, Joe Craven, Pangea with Michael Kang, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, The Motet, Dread Clampitt, Rowan Cunningham, Tornado Rider, Ralph Roddenbery, Greensky Bluegrass, Galen Kipar Project, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Larkin Poe, Two Foot Level, Sloppy Joe, New 76ers, Saltwater Grass, Amy Hendrickson & the Prime Directive, Grandpa's Cough Medicine, The Whetherman and more.

2011 Suwannee Springfest Ticket Info: Early bird tickets are on sale now until January 31 for $125. From February 1–March 15 tickets will be priced at $150. From March 16-March 23 tickets will be $165. From that point on, including at the festival gates, all weekend tickets will be $180. Saturday/Sunday two-day passes (with camping) will be $145 and available only at the gate. Single day tickets will be priced as follows: Thursday: $50, Friday: $65, Saturday: $75, Sunday: $50 (single day tickets do not include camping). All weekend tickets include music, camping Thursday-Sunday nights, and all fees and taxes. For more information on Suwannee Springfest, including up-to-date lineup and ticket details, click here.

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also home to other Big IV Productions, including the Blackwater Music Festival (new in 2010) and the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival (which recently celebrated its fourth). Hosted each November, the 2010 Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival was such a huge success and attracts such a loyal group of attendees, that dates and select artists have already been announced for next year. Scheduled for November 11-13, 2011, the preliminary lineup includes Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, The Funky Meters, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, John Scofield & Piety Street, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, George Porter, Jr., Jon Cleary, and the Pimps of Joytime. For more information on the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival, click here.

The annual Purple Hatter’s Ball, celebrating the life of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, will also once again take place at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The 2011 event is set for May 13 & 14. More details will be announced soon. For more information on the Purple Hatter’s Ball, click here.

Hangout Music Festival has announced their 2nd annual festival will take place May 20th-22nd, 2011! Hangout is the first music festival of its kind with four stages on the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shore, Alabama. Festival goers stay in easy to walk or bike to condos and hotels.

The inaugural Hangout Beach Festival, May 14th-16th, 2010, featured a diverse lineup of over 50 bands and musicians including: Zac Brown Band, John Legend, Trey Anastasio, The Roots, Ben Harper and Relentless7, The Black Crows, Alison Kraus and Union Station, Gov't Mule, Ray Lamontagne, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Matisyahu, Girl Talk, etc. etc., all on stages located on some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

2011 promises to be bigger and better with never-before seen amenities and activities along with an exciting lineup yet to be announced.

For more information, stay tuned to www.hangoutmusicfest.com

Having arrived in Austin on Thursday night with a belly full of kolaches from The Little Czech Stop in West, TX and a car full of gear, I was as well prepared as one might be to tackle the music and sun in the days ahead.  As I approached the festival gates on Friday never having been to Austin City Limits before, I felt a sense of fami