The sun is shining, birds are chirping and you can smell the Samapalooza in the air. We are just over two months away from July 24th and the crew is just about to kick it into high gear. We are currently meeting to discuss the lineup, a very difficult decision this year considering the high volume of submissions we have received. We have all been very impressed with the number and quality of bands that we are sifting through. Our goal is to provide a top-quality, diverse lineup with something for everyone.  Eventually, we want to give every serious local band a shot at our stage but obviously we have to make some cuts this time. So, I would like to take a moment now to let everyone that did submit know that we appreciated every one of you. Final lineup will be announced on the 24th of this month.

Last year we had the luxury (for the most part) of having a highly unemployed crew. We were able to get out there just about everyday for months beforehand to get the property Samapalooza-ready. This year is going to be a bit more of a challenge. Many of us now have jobs and will have to work double-shifts to pull this off. Not that that’s a problem, getting out to the property after work and on the weekends is hardly a burden. We will be scheduling workdays throughout the summer and chances are if you find yourself looking for something to do on the weekends, someone will be up there.

The Samapalooza crew is so passionate about throwing this event that as it draws nearer we begin to become rather obsessive. Every year we want to build this show and we have almost unlimited ideas of how to do it. Each year we work to bring as many of these ideas to fruition as possible. I am consistently impressed by what we have been able to do and even more impressed with how we’ve found ways to do it. Last year’s parachute was nothing less than a great adventure and as some of you may know we dropped and recycled our beloved treehouse into the bar and food station. I have no doubt that I will be equally impressed when I review this coming year.

You all owe it to yourselves to come out and not only support all the hard work that the crew puts in but see for yourself what the next innovations will be.

So, what is it you are supposed to write in these things?  Should I tell everyone how I am feeling? Should I talk about my stance on the Tea Party? I don’t think so.

Pretty sure we’ve set this up to keep you all informed with what’s going on with Samapalooza. So that’s what I will do. This year we have started early. We realized that last year we were pretty lucky to have a large contingent of unemployed crew members and we were able to get an amazing amount of work done during the summer. Barring another round of layoffs, we won’t be so lucky this year. This means a few things; we need to make slower, steadier progress and we need to have a bunch of concentrated workdays. For those of you who have never been to one, our workdays are really fun. We don’t ask anything of anyone, you do as little or as much work as you like. We always BBQ and often camp out. We will keep everyone updated with workday dates so be sure to check back in.  

We have also begun the band selection process early this year and we have been very pleased with all of the submissions we have received so far. I know most people out there are either in a band or know someone that may be interested in performing this year. We are looking for diverse acts so anything goes. We  will announce the final lineup May 24th so get those submissions in. You can send links or questions to submissions@samapalooza.com .

More to come…