Music and art event at rotating venues has grown in its five years, but positive vibe is still part of it
When Myron Koch founded the Peak Summit Groove and Dance Festival in 2002 his intent was simple: to stage an event where bands and artists could come together and provide fans with an organic, continuous flow of music and visual art that helps promote feelings of community.
Five years and multiple festivals later, he has stayed true to that intent while growing the festival exponentially; Peak Summit is now in a one-per-season groove, with rotating locations and dozens of featured creators.
“Building on positives for the future is highly emphasized,” Koch said. “We want folks at our event to feel good, not ceremoniously giddy or exaggeratedly happy but genuinely good, about what’s around them and ready to spread that fire when they go home.”
Tomorrow’s fest will be from 7:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. at The Hideaway, 1607 Bardstown Road; Big Dave’s Outpost, 1801 Bardstown Road; and Za’s Pizza, 1573 Bardstown Road.
A $10 admission covers all three clubs, 12 bands and a multimedia art show.
Performing will be Paradigm (fusion jazz), Thirteenth Sun (reggae), Hogan’s Fountain (Americana), Bloom Street (rock), Sativa Gumbo (jam-band rock), Troublesome Creek (bluegrass), Dirty Church Revival (swamp blues) and songwriters Leigh Ann Yost, D.L. and Alanna.
DJs Narwhal and Kunundrum will spin, with art by Whitney Petree, Bill McAvinue, Miah Hunt, Jessie Koehler and David Norris.
At this point, Koch said, performers, artists and attendees have blurred together.
“Many artists and musicians feel more motivated and more at liberty to create when they know there’s an audience that appreciates their effort,” he said. “If we’ve had any impact at all, it’s been by assuring our artists that their work is appreciated, and so they should continue to do it. We’re not heat-seeking promoters that are looking for the next big thing to bring to town. We are, instead, a collective of artists that recognize each other’s work as good stuff.”
For a complete schedule listing performers by venue and time, go to www.peaksummit.com.
Best Canadian … ever
Feist’s latest album, “The Reminder,” is a work of enormous playfulness, humor and a deep, questioning sadness that frequently turns courageous and demanding.
Feist, from Nova Scotia, first made her name as a collaborator with Broken Social Scene and Peaches. Her breakthrough solo album, 2004’s “Let It Die,” was intriguing but incomplete compared to “The Reminder.”
Feist headlines Tuesday at the Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway, with Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett opening (8 p.m., $23).
Short takes
It’s fiddle vs. violin Wednesday at The Jazz Factory, 815 W. Market St., as International Bluegrass Music Association fiddler of the year Michael Cleveland battles acclaimed jazz violinist Zach Brock. The monthly Bluegrass Meets Jazz program will also star Steve Cooley, Stephen Couch, Craig Wagner and Danny Kiely (7:30 p.m., $5).
The Louisville Homegrown Music Series features The Photographic, Digby and The Invaders tonight at Fourth Street Live (8 p.m., free).
Crazy Train, a tribute to Ozzy and Black Sabbath, will headline a benefit Sunday at Lisa’s Oak St. Lounge, 1004 E. Oak St., with Muench and Fever in the Funkhouse. It’s to help with local guitarist Don Pollard’s medical bills, incurred during treatment for a brain tumor. The show is from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is whatever you care to donate.
Comedian Steve Hofstetter is recording his new album this week at the Comedy Caravan, in Mid City Mall. His last one hit No. 20 on Billboard’s comedy charts. Dennis Donohue opens. Shows are tonight at 8 and 10:30; tomorrow at 7:15, 9:40 and 11:45 p.m.; Sunday at 8 p.m.. Cover is $12 except for Sunday, $8.
Jeffrey Lee Puckett’s “Sound Effects” column runs Fridays in Extra. On Saturday in Scene he recommends great digital music. You can call him at (502) 582-4160, fax him at (502) 582-4665 or e-mail him at jpuckett@courier-journal.com.
Courier – Journal – Louisville, Ky.
| Subjects: | Festivals; Musical performances; Bluegrass music; Art exhibits |
| Author: | JEFFREY LEE PUCKETT |
| Date: | Nov 16, 2007 |
| Start Page: | W.12 |
| Section: | Weekend Extra |