SFD Fest 2009!!

Yes, we are in the midst of finalizing our date and lineup for the second annual Solutions for Dreamers Festival!

In early 2009 there will be yet another magical event to remember.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, having a booth at the festival or volunteering, please email info@solutionsfordreamersfestival.com

Meet the Press

Check out some of the press the first annual SFD Festival received:

March 28, 2007 :: Jambase.com
Solutions for Dreamers Festival Review

March 2, 2007 :: Mark Davidson Blog
Solutions for Dreamers 07!

March 2, 2007 :: IceCreamMan.com
SFD Festival with Spearhead, Jack Johnson and more

March 1, 2007 :: Santa Barbara Independent
Healing of the Nation

February 26, 2007 :: Indybay.org
Benefit for Heal the Ocean

February 23, 2007 :: Santa Barbara NewsPress
Wishing Upon a Big Dream for Heal the Ocean

February 22, 2007 :: Santa Barbara Independent
A Concert That Cares

February 22, 2007 :: Ventura County Reporter
Healing the Seven Seas

Santa Barbara’s Solutions for Dreamers Festival Exceeds Limits of Positivity

Review By Tyler Blue

One moment Lev Allanblitz was a fan in the audience freaking out to Michael Franti and Spearhead. The next he was commanding the Arlington Theater’s stage, belting out a verse of Sublime’s “What I Got.” This was just one of many spine-tingling highlights of the first Solutions for Dreamers Festival. Conceived as a benefit for Heal the Ocean, it was brought to life by a team of ambitious visionaries and eco-friendly sponsors. Graced with a talented lineup of compassionate musician and a promenade of environmentalist booths, the spirit could not have been more positive. Throw in a bevy of elaborate puppet, prop and costume designs, and Santa Barbara had itself a multimedia event for the ages.

Early in the morning of what would be a gorgeous, sunny Saturday, Jack Johnson landed on a red-eye from Hawaii. Practically the patron saint of Heal the Ocean, he helped make the night extra special by sitting in with three of the four bands. His bandmate, drummer Adam Topol, kicked things off with a short set from his side project, Culver City Dub Allstars. The sextet unfurled their thick, rhythmic force on the empty theater. Soaring tenor sax solos cascaded on top of the rich, textural base of dub, jazz and soul.

Some artists play music to wake people up while others intend to create an escape. Matthew McAvene accomplishes both simultaneously. Holding nothing back emotionally, his songs have that rare ability to linger on the mind while revealing deeper meanings. Playing only his third appearance with a complete band, this quartet is clearly onto something. Anders Bergstrom’s mandolin stamps the sound with honest Americana while Steve Campbell injects primal power from behind the drum kit.

Admirably transitioning from coffeehouse to theater, McAvene’s salt-of-the-Earth voice understands the spectrum of pain and hope on gems like, “Thin Line.” He gave way to a sobering interlude when friend, Danny Riley, stopped the room in its tracks, performing one of his songs. Nice-guy McAvene is also a master puppeteer, committed to wowing people visually as well as aurally. The theme of the event was all-encompassing thanks to an array of ocean creatures dramatically presented throughout the night.. McAvene is pioneering an exciting, theatrical movement, adding new dimensions to a concert’s capacity for sensory stimulation.

If you were trying to dance in the seats during Animal Liberation Orchestra’s set, chances are you came away with a bruise or two. The hometown heroes kept the heat rising as they ripped through an 80-minute set of their typically-uplifting California soul. “Shapeshifter” spiraled listeners through a sonic whirlpool generated by keyboardist/singer, Zach Gill. Bassist Steve Adams used the group’s first appearance in its hometown’s biggest theater to stretch the depths of his low-end frequency.

College buddy Jack Johnson joined the fun at the end of the set, fittingly concluding with ALOs homage to Isla Vista, “Wasting Time.” Beastie Boys-cohort, Money Mark, livened the mix with melodica while guitarist, Dan Lebowitz, dished out a searing slide solo. In between sets, an underwater documentary offered a transcendental excursion to the deep. Dyson Sphere’s dissonant soundtrack evoked otherworldly beauty in the movements of stringrays and jellyfish.

The tone was set just by staring at the backdrop – a peace sign in a bullseye surrounded by bullet holes – and military camouflage nets draped over speakers. A war siren signaled the beginning of our evening’s final phase as the audience instantly surrendered themselves to the guidance of Michael Franti. In the vein of Bob Marley, the 6’6, dreaded troubadour captivates his people like a true musical shaman. When he asks the crowd to jump up and down, that’s exactly what it wants to do.

Drawing awareness to the human toll of war is a responsibility Franti has taken on with piercing conviction. Like a hip hop Marley, his songs convey simple messages which resonate on a universal frequency. Along with his sonic assault squad, Spearhead, they unleashed an extended set of older favorites and all the best songs off last year’s release, “Yell Fire!” It was a night for deep bass as Carl Young repeatedly strutted center-stage, dropping bombs from behind wicked-cool sunglasses. Drummer Manas Itene from Nigeria gives Spearhead an authentic dancehall vibe with his tropical bounce and towering vocal octaves. Laying down a swinging groove, he turned “Hey Now Now” into a carnival ride.

In comparison to their set days before in L.A., the energy in Santa Barbara was on a whole other level. “East to the West” and “Sweet Little Lies” were both chilling and jubilant. “Hello Bonjour” lit the place up with hypnotic dance appeal while the irreverent spirit of the aforementioned “What I Got” elicited pandemonium. Keeping the pedal to the metal through a three song encore, we were sent off with the one-two punch of “Stay Human” and “Everybody Ona Move.” During the finale, 20 costumed dancers shared the stage as the excess of joy bubbled over the brim. In the midst of it all, the peaceful revolutionary just stood there grinning.

You're the Best Santa Barbara!

Thank you to everyone who made it out to the environmental fair and show on Saturday. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into when we first started working on this at the beginning of last year. It’s incredible to see your dreams play out before you, and we’re so thankful for all the support we’ve had from the community. This is only the beginning for us, we’ll see you again soon.

Please sign up for the mailing list to become electronically aware of upcoming Oniric Records events.

We’ll be putting pictures and audio from the show up shortly, so check back this week for updates!

Jack to Sit-In At the Solutions for Dreamers Festival

If you live near Santa Barbara and would like to catch Michael Franti & Spearhead, ALO, Matthew McAvene and Culver City Dub Collective, you will be in for a treat as Jack Johnson has confirmed a guest appearance at the Solutions for Dreamers Festival.

There are still tickets available at the Arlington Theatre box office, or online at Ticketmaster. Click here to purchase tickets.

SFD Festival Promo Ad

Check out the Solutions for Dreamers Festival Promo Ad edited by our favorite dancer, Guadalajara Joe!

VIP Tickets Still Available

There are still a limited number of $150 VIP and $300 VIP tickets available!

The $300 VIP tickets will allow you into a meet and greet at the end of the show with Michael Franti & Spearhead, ALO, Matthew McAvene, Culver City Dub Collective and Dyson Sphere.

Both level tickets get you the best seats, access to the VIP tent and a merchandise package.

Thank you all for your donations to Heal the Ocean!

SFD Festival Approaches!!

With only a few weeks left until the Solutions for Dreamers Festival, we are very excited to make this first annual benefit for Heal the Ocean an unforgettable and fulfilling experience.

The EcoFriendly booths that are located in the Promenade entrance of the Arlington Theatre are open to the public (even to non-ticket holders) at 1pm on Saturday and remain open until after the 5:30pm doors.

For those of you making a contribution to Heal the Ocean by purchasing VIP or Exclusive VIP tickets you will have access to the VIP tent with complimentary alcohol and snacks and will be given a complimentary package of festival merchandise. Exclusive VIPs will also meet all the artists before the show!

Please purchase your tickets online or visit the Arlington box office today!

Please download a booth application if you are interested in having your non-profit organization or eco-friendly business represented.

QUESTIONS?? EMAIL: info@solutionsfordreamersfestival.com