Saturday’s festival at Birch Hill Ski Area marks six years and counting.
“Some people had other things to do, moved away from the area, or whatever, but new people stepped up and filled the role to make this happen,” explained Caleb Kuntz, a regular on the Fairbanks music scene and official “Chief Motivator” for the festival. He also booked the 30 musical acts playing. “It’s cool to see how the community aspect took it full force. This year more than any other year people were taking on parts (of the organization). It’s been marvelous.”
In years past Clucking Blossom has featured more socially active groups, be them political or for local causes. The element of the festival has faded somewhat, said organizer and original Clucking Blossom founder Kendra Calhoun. The last couple years the focus has been more on music than activism.
“We wanted it to be a music festival, but also one with a social awareness component,” she said. “But that has kind of gone away, though we never really know what to expect. We get a lot of calls the week before and other groups just show up the day of.”
With an event that is “free, nothing bought or sold,” it’s not surprising there is a laid-back attitude and approach. The organizers remain busy behind the scene hashing out the details, setting up the stage and determining how to accommodate a small horde of people, but inside, each knows Clucking Blossom can only be whatever it will be each time.
“We just want to be able to give people an event that’s free and for everybody,” Calhoun said.
Added Kuntz, “It means anybody can experience the festival without any monetary value. I hope that adds value in itself.”
The Fairbanks Literary Council is one confirmed group and will offer free books for kids and special storytime readings. There will also be a children’s workshop making recycled musical instruments with found objects (kids are encouraged to bring supplies, though some will be on hand). Yoga classes will also be offered.
Mixed among the musical acts will also be “Cluck-offs,” spontaneous moments of poetry, song, dance or whatever strikes a performe’rs fancy.
“We’re still trying to allow that to happen spontaneously,” Calhoun said. “People can get up and do a poem, say something that’s important to them, play a song. There’s the main stage (set times) and another stage will be available for more of the soapbox kind of moments.”
Kuntz said this year’s line-up features primarily bands from around the Fairbanks region. Most are established and have been playing semi-regularly for at least a year. These encompass numerous genres, including punk, rock, folk, blues, alternative, experimental and one hip-hop act — The Phineas Gauge — though Kuntz said, “I wish we could have more of a pop and rap turn out.”
But the varied genres should provide attendees with a sense or just how strong and diverse the Fairbanks musical community is.
“I always just want to have as many different genres as possible and get it where everyone can find some common ground musically,” Kuntz said. “The general sense of community always accepts such randomness.”
One aspect of Clucking Blossom that will seem less random this year is the order of the acts. Rather than simply mix it up, earlier in the day acoustic and “mellower” acts will perform, while the louder acts will come on in the evening.
“We have more families and kids in the daytime anyway, so we want to encourage people to stick around,” Calhoun said. “It will be mellower early on, but we will still be able to rock as needed.”
As in years past, two bands are coming up from Anchorage — In the Belfry and Lester & The Hoax — both bands feature accordions.
“It’s kind of funny. Both actually have accordion in them, and they’re not related at all,” Kuntz said. “It will be interesting to see the kind of different flavor they bring. It’s nice to get that eclectic nature in there.”
One challenge confronting the festival once under way is the rotating of the bands. This year there is only one stage, and each band will have about five minutes to get on and get playing. Any extra time spent setting up will cut into set times, which range from 20 to 40 minutes (the longer sets are as the evening wears on).
Kuntz is not worried — he’s been through enough shows with his band, Work, to know things should proceed fairly smoothly. A simple drum kit, bass and guitar amps will be ready and other instruments can quickly be plugged in. Bands needing something special can bring any extra gear.
“People can get up, plug in, do a minor sound check and go,” Kuntz said. “There are people who always want to have their own sound, and that’s cool, but it’s going to cut into their set. I think with all the different genres we have, playing styles alone will dictate their sound rather than a special kind of amp.
“I hope people will find these bands for the first time and start going to other shows and paying more attention to other bands on the music scene around Fairbanks,” Kuntz added. “If there is something to be said about Clucking Blossom … it’s really displaying what is out there for people”
Contact features editor Glenn BurnSilver at 459-7510.
If You Go
What: Clucking Blossom VI
When: Noon-1 a.m. Saturday
Where: Birch Hill Ski Area
Tickets: Free
Information: www.cluckingblossom.com
Schedule
Noon - Not Enough Flannel
12:20 p.m. - Zody
12:40 p.m. - Jesse Hobbes
1:00 p.m. - Dani Next Autumn
1:20 p.m. - Caleb Aronson
1:40 p.m. - Chuck Brainerd
2:00 p.m. - Cluck Off!
2:20 p.m. - Xtra-Tuffs
2:45 p.m. - New Cut Road
3:10 p.m. - Arctic Noise Symphony
3:35 p.m. - After Aubrey
4:00 p.m. - Axis of Arrows
4:25 p.m. - Ezra
4:50 p.m. - Cold Fusion Dance
5:15 p.m. - Isaac & the
Awkward Situations
5:40 p.m. - In the Belfry
6:05 p.m. - Good Daze
6:40 p.m. - Chris Juhlin & the Collective
7:05 p.m. - Thought Trade
7:30 p.m. - Blackflowers Blacksun
7:50 p.m. - Lester & the Hoax
8:15 p.m. - Darndest Things
f.k.a. Moonbeam Slaughterhouse
8:40 p.m. - Eating for Two
9:05 p.m. - Ba’Cuntry Bruthers
9:35 p.m. - Feeding Frenzy
10:05 p.m. - Alt. Country Blues
10:35 p.m. - The Phineas Gauge
11:05 p.m. - Work
11:35 p.m. - DJ Tennessee Williams
11:55 p.m. - Until Death
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