It's not quite Woodstock, but HOOTSTOCK 2012 promises to deliver a full day of good music and great vibes on the grounds of the historic Bradley Creek Schoolhouse on July 28.
The old school is located on Eagle Creek Road, approximately 12 kilometres from Forest Grove.
The outdoor concert is being hosted by the Bradley Creek Stumpranchers Association and will feature close to 20 musicians, storytellers and dance ensembles in picturesque surroundings, under the open sky.
The purpose of the event is to raise money for further restoration and maintenance of the circa 1939 schoolhouse, built by members of the Judson family and other area pioneers.
The show opens at 10 a.m. with longtime local singer/songwriter Jill Hardcastle who will perform some of her own material along with covers.
Garry Love, who goes by the name Troubador, takes the spotlight next with more guitar and song, and then dancers from Star Struck Dance Studio will bust a move on stage.
Next, listen to music by The Old Time Band, which regularly performs at the South Cariboo Farmers' Market, and Lorne Dufour, a poet who has published many of his poems in book form.
The duo of Tom Walker and John Corpus from McLeese Lake will perform several of their original “alt-folk” songs and Cariboo Idol 2012 finalist Oren Barter will show what got him into the Idol lineup by sharing some of his original pop rock music.
Chris Hensey, an entertaining Irish poet and storyteller who goes by the stage name Hobo, will recite some of his material and he'll be followed by Dan O'Connell, a singer/songwriter from 108 Mile.
Next up will be the humourous colloquial storyteller known as Mrs. Whitehead who has amused audiences with her tale about the Forest Grove Share Shed, which she calls the local mall.
The remainder of the day and night go to the eclectic band Blueline, singer Itel Chung and Friends, storyteller Marianne Van Osch, belly dance troupes Snake Charmers and Sirens of the Veiled Moon, and bands Sidetrack and Tax Free Liquor.
Stumprancher member Steve Roy is a member of Tax Free Liquor and says they'll have everyone up and dancing before they're through. It should be the perfect lead-in for the Techno Dance Party with DJ Kit, which will see the concert carry into the wee hours of the morning.
There's no need to leave when it's over, as free camping will be available. Food vendors will also be on site and Roy says they'll be serving up a fine selection of unique items that people will really enjoy.
A concert day pass will cost $15 and will be available at the gate.
Roy says he hopes to raise a decent amount of cash, so the Stumpranchers can continue on with their work on the one-room log schoolhouse. Since the 1960s when it ceased to operate as a school, the building has been used as a community meeting place. Sadly, that came to a halt three years ago.
"It had gotten into such bad condition that we had to shut it down. Since then we've jacked it up, put in a foundation, replaced the floor, and now we're finishing up chinking after pressure washing the log walls."
For more information about the event, contact Roy at 250-397-4103.
