Culture
Fur Peace Ranch to Host “Arts & Minds Fest”
< < Back toFor decades, Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch has provided guitar instruction to countless visiting students and top-notch live entertainment to local residents.
This weekend, the educational camp and concert venue will host a two-day arts extravaganza spotlighting some of the area’s best talent.
The Fur Peace Ranch Arts & Minds Fest is scheduled for Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, featuring arts and crafts from regional artisans, eco-conscious and socially responsible presentations, a juried art show, children’s activities and live music.
The fest’s two main events include sold-out concerts by Hot Tuna (Saturday) and San Francisco psychedelic act It’s a Beautiful Day (Sunday).
In addition to the two main shows, there will be free performances on Sunday afternoon from Kaukonen (1 p.m.) and local musicians Laura Nadeau (3:30 p.m.) and Rusty Smith (5:30 p.m.).
Shortly before 3 p.m. on Sunday, Kaukonen will interview (via Skype from the stage of the Fur Peave Station Concert Hall) his former Jefferson Airplane bandmate Grace Slick about her art exhibit at the Psylodelic Gallery.
The gallery’s permanent collection includes ’60s artifacts from friends and compadres, including Wavy Gravy’s Woodstock sleeping bag, Jack Casady’s Woodstock outfit, ’60s-era posters and intimate photos from Kaukonen’s personal collection.
A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Kaukonen is perhaps best known as a founding member of the Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna, with Jack Casady. In a career that has already spanned a half-century, Kaukonen has been a leading practitioner and teacher of finger-style guitar and one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots, blues and Americana music.
The Fur Peace Ranch Arts & Minds Fest will be held 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The Ranch is located at 39495 St. Clair Road in Pomeroy. For information, visit www.FurPeaceRanch or call 740-992-2575.