Bruce Harper
This was the inaugural year for Gala in the Grove – a music and arts festival located in Central Pennsylvania at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. The crowd that The Funky Dad & Funkadelphia summoned to this gorgeous 13 acre grove was littered with friends and familiar faces native to their events in the city. With ticket sales capped at 350 people, Gala aimed to keep things on the intimate side, rendering itself to feel more like a relaxing family reunion than a festival (which was a perfect way to kick-start a very busy month). Plus, it gave us plenty of space to spread out and afforded more than enough trees for #HammockLife.
Albeit a small capacity, the lineup delivered big talent such as Pretty Lights openers, Wax Future, and Jade Cicada (who recently shared a stage with Tipper). Patrons enjoyed acts like Wink and Flux Capacitor on the main “Grove Stage”, and said a bittersweet adieu during Philly’s own Mr. Sampson’s farewell performance. Meanwhile, at the “Funky Town Stage”, visual artists Raf Mata, Cait Deane, and more were live-painting while the rest of us got weird to sets from Brainrack, Digital Ethos, Face Plant, and an artist named Keota that you may want to keep on your radar.
Also worth mentioning was a rather animated Saturday afternoon set from none other than Patrick Richards – one of my new favorite humans. He threw down on a pop-up “Beach Stage” erected in a clearing through the trees, overlooking attendees as they frolicked in the Swatara Creek below.
FINAL VERDICT: THREE STARS!
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All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend in the grove. It was nice to unwind and spread good vibes with good people at a beautiful location. Like F.A.R.M. Fest, Gala is yet another magical gathering that shall become a staple in my festival schedule for years to come.
xo – Dark