Here is the way the story was published. There was also a section, with my credit and cut from my original story, that was more related to the actual event, but was mostly just information about the speakers and it is not available online.
I did not write about Anne Sweeney's gypsy wagon because I thought it didn't really have anything to do with the event. I also didn't make out Sweeney to be main organizer, because after talking to Tom Heffernan, it became clear that he was entirely responsible for booking the bands, Adam Greeley was responsible for booking the speakers/workshops, and Sweeney was responsible for booking the vendors. It was a much more collaborative effort.
Also, c'mon, it's the 40th anniversary of Woodstock this year. I think this is a much, much better lede.
Here is my original story:
One doesn’t initially imagine cows and rock music, pigs and aura readings, goats and short films existing harmoniously in the same space, but for one weekend in August, a remote farmhouse just outside Mankato will be the unlikely venue for a rather unusual event. The farmhouse, accurately dubbed the Sanctuary, will play host to three days of music, independent films, political speakers, local artisan craft vendors and aura readings that will entertain an eclectic crowd.
No, it’s not Woodstock 2009, but it’s close enough.
The Midsummer Under the Full Moon Festival started as a joint project between Mankato residents Tom Heffernan, Adam Greeley and Anne Sweeney. Greeley was envisioning a politically motivated festival with plenty of speakers and community focused workshops, while Sweeney dreamed of something a little more artistically driven. The trio combined their ideas to form a multifaceted festival featuring speakers, political workshops, a short film festival, local bands, an open mic stage and a flea market.
“It kind of became a community event,” Heffernan said.
Midsummer is being hosted Aug. 7-9 at Sanctuary, a privately owned farm in Franklin, Minn. and is being coordinated by a group of community organizers in Mankato calling themselves Grassroots Marketing, LLC.
The festival is also a benefit for Ken Pentel, former gubernatorial candidate, and his not-for-profit organization, the Ecology Democracy Network. According to the Web site, Pentel started the Ecology Democracy Network in 2008 to “create a new pro-active way of doing politics that will care for our collective home, Earth.”
Pentel will be at the festival speaking on various ecological issues including ending big money in Minnesota politics, proportional representation and publicly funded elections. Pentel appeared at the 10,000 Lakes Festival last month and is currently bicycling around the state to raise awareness for his platforms. Minneapolis Mayoral candidate John Charles Wilson will also be speaking at the event.
Michelle Gross from Communities United Against Police Brutality, based out of the Twin Cities, will also be giving a workshop raising consciousness concerning police abuses and a “Know Your Rights” training session. Workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We’re also going to be getting together some diversity trainers from MSU,” Heffernan said.
A variety of local and traveling bands will take the stage throughout the festival. Heffernan is the drummer for Mankato band Shotgun Fiction, which just finished recording a nine-track album.
“We’ve been playing for almost a year with no recordings to give out,” said Shotgun Fiction lead guitarist Colin Scharf, who recorded his band’s album in Heffernan’s basement. “The festival gives us and the other bands a great chance to spread our music.”
Shotgun Fiction will be headlining the festival Friday night. Also performing Friday will be Sioux City, Iowa favorite Man Eats Bear and the Minneapolis folk group A Paper Cup Band.
Southern Minnesota group One Fast Move..., self-described on their MySpace as an experimental string band that stretches traditional stylings, taking the best from Americana, blues, bluegrass, old-time country, folk, jazz, newgrass, and even psychedelic jam rock will perform at 8 p.m. The string band will also perform at 9 p.m. July 31 at the Sugar Room in Mankato.
Local filmmakers may bring their films and submit them to be shown following the bands. Heffernan will be showing his documentary “In Search of Dylan Thomas’ Grave” and Scharf will be showing his horror-comedy “The Blood Van.”
A flea market will be held Saturday and open to public to sell their wares. Local vendors and artists will also be selling beads, printed tees and other handicrafts. Tarot card readings and aura photographs will also be made available.
Sanctuary has a full kitchen serving a variety of foods, including vegetarian options, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages as well. No alcoholic beverages will be sold by Grassroots Marketing or other vendors, but campers are allowed to bring them if they choose. On-site amenities include a hot tub, port-a-potties, water access and plenty of space to grill. The site has the capacity for up to 300 people and is located near state and national parks with camping available as well. Adult weekend passes cost $20, and passes for kids between ages 10 and 16 cost $10. Day passes are available for $10.
Sweeney suggested campers bring tents, sleeping bags, coolers, plates and utensils, small grills or a grill grate and any other camping accessories needed.
Heffernan said this is the first year the festival is being held and is expecting about 150 people to attend.
“There are going to be a lot of different things for a lot of different people at this festival. It’s going to be very diverse.”
***********
Tickets can be purchased at Professor’s Pipes and Stuff, Tune Town or online at http://grassrootsmarketing.webs.com
For vendor information, contact Anne Sweeney at (507) 276-7670 or anne.sweeney42@gmail.com
For information regarding films or music, contact Tom Heffernan at thomas.heffernan@mnsu.edu
Sanctuary
62657 430th Street
Franklin, MN
55333
For Camping: Adults $20 and 10-16 $10
Kids 9 and under are free
Which story do you prefer?
2 comments:
"Anne Sweeney had quite the burst of creative energy recently." vs a hooky, informative-but-not-too-much-so lede involving cows (which are inherently funny). If this is some sort of competition to see who is the most boring and least informative and relevant, then I think they win substantially. Do forgive me for telling you how miserably you failed at making me close the tab in my browser with your version of the article two-thirds of the way through the way Miss Dyslin was able to.
I don't know the first thing about journalism, though. Is it common to edit articles so much?
I wouldn't think so. I've noticed from the majority Dyslin's articles that she likes to take one person and make them the focus, make the story more human. In this case, however, it just doesn't make any sense to me.
Post a Comment