Best-ever Purple Hatter’s Ball Lineup for the Win!
I suspect that most of us have a love-hate relationship with Purple Hatter’s Ball, the late spring festival held annually at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. We love it, because the spirit of the event transcends the wonderful music lineup. We hate it, because of the reason the event exists at all.
Purple Hatter’s Ball was created in the wake of the murder of the original wearer of the purple hat, Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, who was coerced into becoming a go-between in a drug sting by the police and then completely abandoned by them. This music festival is dedicated to the memory of Rachel, who so loved all the festivals at the park, and to the advancement of Rachel’s Law in Florida and nationally so that no person is ever forced into such dangerous circumstances by incompetent authorities.
So we dance, we love, we revel, we hug, we smile — all with the intention of keeping Rachel’s memory alive and well. Paul Levine, for so long one of the people most dedicated to our music scene and this event in particular, works with Rachel’s mother, Margie Weiss, to spread the love and to keep this important work going. The weekend’s highlight is the release of butterflies by Margie and others in Rachel’s honor.
This year’s edition is a two-day event, Friday, June 1st, and Saturday, June 2nd.
OH, SHIT!
This was being prepping yesterday, waiting for the lineup to drop, which was delayed until now.
OH, SHIT!
Levine has clearly outdone himself this time. Stupid, ridiculous, outrageous, awesome. Pick your own superlatives.
Mt. Crushmore is coming to PHB in Lettuce form. These boys are practically residents of the park, but this will be their first in honor of Rachel. Get ready to rage! And, if Lettuce represents the “old guard,” then for certain Spafford represents the new. These boys have jammed their way up the scene, including a great set a Hulaween. If Lettuce and Spafford were the only two acts at PHB 2018, it would be sufficient; it would be enough. Dayenu!
Of course, there is much, much more. What do you get when you crossbreed Break Science and The Disco Biscuits? Breaking Biscuits, naturally, with Adam Deitch, Borahm Lee, Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein combining forces. Toubab Krewe releases their new album Stylo this Saturday, and they’ll be back in the house. So will The Heavy Pets, whose new album Strawberry Mansion is a beast. Dayenu!
Roosevelt Collier and Trio, who just released his first solo recording, Exit 16, will be there, as will the new darlings of Memphis, soulfully funky Southern Avenue. MZG bring their captivating jamtronic goodness to the stage, and a new entry is Hivemind, a jammy jamtronic offshoot of Atlanta’s Space Kadet. Dave McSweeney will be with them on bass. Dayenu!
Three of Rachel’s favorites will again honor her memory, including dubconscious, the spiritually conscious reggae/dub band from Athens. There is more great thrash-punk-reggae from Tallahassee’s Trial by Stone, and then you have Catfish Alliance with the indomitable Sexual Manatee. Dayenu!
Last but absolutely not least based in particular on his PHB set last year will be Vlad the Inhaler, mild-mannered park ambassador off stage, wild-mannered DJ on stage. Dayenu!
[Full website and ticket link available Friday at noon.]
Epic lineup, amazing early-bird tickets, magnificent surroundings, and Rachel’s memory and the important work done on her behalf. Oh, and the Suwannee River!
