It's Groovy

Groove Fest '94 is Aug. 13-14 on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Fla.

The two-day 85,000-capacity concert, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Woodstock, will feature 20 to 30 bands, with original Woodstock acts, including Richie Havens, John Sebastian, and Melanie. Also scheduled is Mike Pinera and Iron Butterfly. Negotiations are underway with other previous Woodstock bands such as Country Joe McDonald.

Blood, Sweat and Tears. Sha Na Na and Wavy Gravy. Jefferson Starship also is speculated to perform, while a handful of contemporary "hippie" bands also are being solicited, says co-producer Paula Sharpe, president of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Sharpe Tone Productions Inc. Other confirmed regional acts are T-Blue, Cary Cooley, The Headlights, Sleight of Hand and Rocky and the Rollers.

It's a weekend of music, fun, peace and love," says Sharpe. Jerry Kravat Entertainment Services Inc. in New York is booking most of the national acts.

Tickets are $40 for the entire weekend and go on sale April 15 nationally to the general public by phone only through Ticketmaster. Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster outlets in Georgia and Florida. Red Hot Tickets will be responsible for 10,000 limited edition commemorative tickets and group sales. There are strong indications that we will sell out," says event co-producer Howard Hochberg, vice president of Sarasota, Fla.-based Party Time Ventures.

People will attend Groove Fest because of the 'Woodstock' philosophies," notes Melanie. People will come who experienced (the original and want to tell people about it, or young people who want a piece of it. The name of the event) is not as important as the concept." The outdoor concert is scheduled the same weekend as other proposed Woodstock events for the mid-Hudson area in New York. Acts, including Havens, Sebastian and Melanie say they plan to attend both. Melanie, who will host the Florida show for six hours Sunday, is scheduled to be the final performer, says Hochberg. The event will cost about $1.3 million to present, he says.


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