The BASH music competition spotlights Gainesville’s range via artwork, music
Within the maze of meals vans, pop-up artwork outlets and beer stands, kids on bikes pedaled alongside the sidewalks of Depot Park whereas hundreds of rock ‘n’ roll and blues followers huddled across the three phases unfold throughout the inexperienced competition grounds.
The BASH — a three-day music competition that includes nationwide, regional and native rock ‘n’ roll, Americana, blues, soul and nation artists — took over Depot Park this weekend. The competition started Nov. 4 with a VIP kick-off get together that included unique performances by Patterson Hood, Drive-By Truckers and extra.
The occasion was open to free common admission passholders. Along with music, greater than 70 arts, crafts and meals distributors have been additionally current.
Jason Hedges, 44, based and arranged The BASH along with his spouse, Sarah, the competition’s advertising director.
“Usually, [with] these sorts of festivals — particularly the scale and magnitude this one has was — you could have 100 folks on workers,” he mentioned. “We do not have a workers. It is simply us and some of our family and friends who donate their time to do one thing for Gainesville.”
The BASH initially started because the Tom Petty Birthday Bash, which Hedges helped pioneer in 2017 — the 12 months Petty died. Over time, the Birthday Bash advanced into The BASH, Hedges mentioned, which expands past Petty and focuses on celebrating Gainesville’s heritage and variety via music.
The competition featured over 40 musical acts divided throughout three phases: the BASH stage, Mojo stage and Shady Grove Stage. Performers included Mavis Staples, Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown, Lilly Hiatt and The Excessive Divers.
Hedges’ aim for the competition was to foster an inclusive surroundings throughout the neighborhood, he mentioned. One of many methods he achieved this, Hedges mentioned, was by spotlighting artists like Mavis Staples, a gospel singer who was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Corridor of Fame in 1999 and Blues Corridor of Fame in 2017.
“She was a really huge piece of American historical past in relation to [the] civil rights motion,” he mentioned.
Hedges purchased the screening rights to have the documentary, “Mavis!”, play without cost at The Hippodrome Theatre Saturday at midnight. “Mavis!” is the primary function documentary on gospel music legend Mavis Staples and her household group, The Staple Singers, in accordance with The Hippodrome’s web site.
Throughout BASH weekend, Hedges needed to supply entry to the documentary to offer again to the neighborhood and proceed celebrating range among the many musical acts. Hedges hopes the competition succeeded in showcasing Gainesville’s id as a metropolis with a flourishing artwork and music neighborhood, he mentioned.
Tom Miller, a 57-year-old efficiency artist and fan of Hedges’ competition, mentioned that The BASH is a vital a part of Gainesville’s music scene and helps locals share their artwork and meals with competition attendees who aren’t acquainted with the town.
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“That is the most effective of Gainesville and Gainesville’s musical neighborhood,” he mentioned.
The BASH additionally reminds locals and guests of the expertise positioned in Gainesville, Miller mentioned, in addition to the inspiration the town has had on artists like Tom Petty and Bo Diddley.
“Typically it simply takes folks organizing one thing like BASH to remind us to take a look at our personal backyards and understand the magic that we’ve got proper right here in Gainesville,” Miller mentioned. “It attracts folks from throughout Florida, everywhere in the nation and everywhere in the world.”
The BASH additionally helps bolster native craft and meals distributors, Miller mentioned. The How Bazar Pop-Up Market, which was positioned at The BASH Saturday and Sunday, featured greater than 70 artists promoting artwork, jewellery, garments and different equipment.
Bianca Williams, the 36-year-old proprietor of Bianca Williams Ceramic Designs, has bought her items in Gainesville for 9 years. This weekend, she bought ceramic incense burners, cups, dishes and mugs.
“It’s arduous to seek out markets generally,” Williams mentioned. “I used to be excited after they put out the decision beginning in fall.”
Joyce Hernandez, a 24-year-old UF Faculty of Pharmacy scholar, realized about The BASH via social media. Along with having fun with the meals and music, she mentioned, she additionally appreciated the competition’s atmosphere for each locals and new residents.
Samantha Pollack, 27, owns Wavy Smokes — a cigarette-alternative model that sells hashish and tobacco free smoke blends. Pollack has labored with How Bazar previously, she mentioned, and was excited when she was supplied the possibility to be a vendor at BASH.
“It looks like a extremely cool occasion that was Gainesville particular that supported Gainesville,” she mentioned. “That, mixed with How Bazar — I believed it will be mashup and an eclectic crowd of various folks that may not have seen my stuff earlier than.”
Contact Isabella at imarzban@alligator.org. Comply with her on Twitter @IsabellaMarzban.
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Isabella Marzban is a fourth-year journalism main and an avenue reporter for The Alligator. You may often discover her happening hikes, listening to basic rock on her document participant, and doing yoga together with her associates.
