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SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS (Mullets and Mantras)

LITCHFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL
AUGUST 1-3. An opening night gala kicks off this mondo groovefest featuring Atlanta vocalist Lizz Wright, Hammond master Dr. Lonnie Smith, African American roots artists Taj Mahal, sax players Jane Bunnett and Wayne Shorter, Motown smoothie Kevin Mahogany, and reams more. Lawn or tent, bring a picnic or dine there. $30-$130, kids 12 and under free. Goshen Fairgrounds, CT. (860) 567-4162.
WWW.LITCHFIELDJAZZFEST.COM

METAL MADNESS
AUGUST 2. Party on, Garth! Throw on that Pantera tee and book on over to Mr. McGills for the most relentless hair bands of the season. See headliner Live After Death along with Hypnotica, Natassidog, Untamed, chick band Bitterweed, Wiremouth, Zadoc and the Nightmare, Tribal Law, and my personal fave, Pile of Heads. $10-12. Utica. (315) 782-1147. WWW.ANGELFIRE.COM/PRO/METALSCENE/INDEX.HTML

RISING SUN MUSIC FEST
AUGUST 7-10. This one’s a hoopla of country, rock, and blues, with over 30 bands on three stages, all set on 200 pristine acres just 20 miles west of Albany. Names include Martina McBride, Gin Blossoms, Dwight Yoakam, Blues Traveler, and scads of lesser knowns. There’ll be a kids’ stage and activities in the Rising Sun lounge. $45. Check Web site for uncompromising details. Indian Lookout Country Club, Pattersonville, NY. (860) 683-2851.
WWW.RISINGSUNMUSICFEST.COM

BARD MUSIC FESTIVAL
AUGUST 8-10, 15-17. In celebration of the rich, Moravian life and work of composer Leos Janácek, Bard explores his early choral works, his instrumental masterpieces of the 1920s, and the magnificent Glagolitic Mass. Musicians include The American Symphony Orchestra, soprano Turid Karlsen, mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, Casal String Quartet, Claremont Trio, pianists Ken Noda and Jeremy Denk, and violinist Karen Gomyo. Connections among music, literature, theater, architecture, philosophy, and politics in the Czech-speaking lands will also be illuminated. Annandale. (845) 758-7900.
HTTP://SUMMERSCAPE.BARD.EDU/BMF_SS/

CHENANGO BLUES FEST
AUGUST 15-16. This 11th annual event promotes lesser name bluegrass, big band, jazz, zydeco, and gospel artists at affordable prices; accessibility is their goal. They also boast the best pork sandwiches on the planet. Enjoy vendors, workshops, demonstrations, art exhibits, picnicking, crafts, palm reading, and camping. They’re camera friendly, but video not-so; check out guidelines. $12-16 for adults, $5 youth, kids 12 and under free. Camping $20+. Norwich. (607) 336-2787.
WWW.BLACKDOGWEB.COM/BLUESFEST

LIVING LIGHT FESTIVAL
AUGUST 15-17. Take a weekend musical journey beyond organized religion and beliefs. Om out on the musical meditation of Love Scene Clear, chanters Jai Uttal and Chandra, Brazilian band Carioca, and trance dance musicians Body Temple, DJ Tyohar, Parashakti, and DJ Sultan32; also trip on yoga and lifefood classes, satsangs, dance workshops, drumming, meditation, and other sacred ceremonies. Camping, huts, and rooms available. $250-$350 includes three vegetarian meals per day. New Lebanon, 30 miles east of Albany. (212) 604-0049.
WWW.LIVINGLIGHTFESTIVAL.ORG

BERKSHIRE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
AUGUST 15-17. An intimate, yet talent-packed event for the past five years, this festival is known for getting rained out. But oh, what fun! The lineup includes dozens upon dozens of artists such as The Flaming Lips, Percy Hill, Lettuce, Medeski Martin and Wood, Om Trio, Jounce, Blind Boys of Alabama, John Brown’s Body, All Mighty Senators, All Fours, The Jimi Hendrix Traveling Museum, and more! Rain or shine, on-site camping. $95-165, kids $10-30. Great Barrington, MA. (877) 42-FESTS.
WWW.BERKFEST.COM