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The Festival of Gnarnia Starts Today on Beech Mountain: Live Music and More From Thursday to Saturday

By Jesse Wood

Aug. 9, 2012. Something unlike anything the High Country has ever experienced is coming to Beech Mountain Resort from Aug. 9 to 11 – The Festival of Gnarnia.

The homepage for the festival states:

“As we journey around the sun, a brief window in time draws near. A unique moment for creative human expression comes to light. Far beyond the dirty sneakers forgotten in the depths of your closet, amongst the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, exists the festival of Gnarnia. For [three] days this refuge satisfies a special yet sophisticated taste with a legendary mélange of musical acts, performance arts, and artistic craftsmanship.”

More than 100 eclectic bands ranging from every style imaginable will perform such as the hip-hop mogul Afroman; reggae outfit Midnite from the Virgin Islands; the Firecracker Jazz Band; Seven Walkers featuring a member of the Grateful Dead; electronic performer Eskmo who has worked with STS9; and much more. (See full list at the bottom of page or watch video sampling many of the acts below.)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5ch7FLfPxs&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Along with the music, numerous nationally-renown, spoken-word poets will speak during a cabaret-style showcase, such as Solstiz, NovaKane, Griffin Payne, Carlos Robson, Zak Corsi, G. Yamazawa and Cleveland “CJ” Suitt. (See video of NovaKane below performing Ambidextrous.)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmX2liXxIqY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Guided yoga, b-boy battles (break dancing), crowdseye (interactive scavenger hunt with smart phones), a costume ball, a fashion show and bicycle jousting will happen throughout the festival as well. On Friday, the runway show will showcase an mix of urban, vintage, athletic, up-cycled and over-the-top looks with local designers focusing on sustainability and eco-fashion. Those seriously interested in the b-boy battle may register here

Seduction Sideshow will perform at Gnarnia.

A cornucopia of kinesthetic and visual artistic performances will take place featuring stilt walking; fire spinning; light shows; a scandalous, erotically entertaining “Seduction Sideshow” employing the arts of burlesque, cabaret, circus sideshow and vaudeville; aerial arts; a hoop troop; acrobatic yoga; an opera singer; belly dancing to electronic music and much more. (See a detailed description of all performers here.) 

Limited camping is available at Festival of Gnarnia on a first come first serve basis. Campsites are within walking distance to the venue. Shuttles will also be available. The sites are likely to fill up quickly and sell out. Camping passes cost $30 per person. To purchase, click here.

Three-day passes cost $135 and single-day passes cost $75. “The Royal Treatment” package costs $450 and includes:

  • Royal Credentials
  • Special VIP area ala LoveIsEarth
  • 2 Entrees available at your convienience (6 meals in total)
  • Allotment for Drinks per day ranging from Kombucha to top shelf offerings (9 in total)
  • Royal Garb (T-Shirt)
  • Commemorative Poster of Honor
  • Unlimited local shuttle passes
  • Specials VIP entrances
  • VIP parking area
  • Entrance to “The Land of OZ” themed park

For more information, click to www.gnarniathefestival.com

Three-Day Schedule