FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival Brings Family-Friendly World Music, Arts, and Dance Celebration to Miami

Miami, Florida – Organizers of the 3rd Annual Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival create a relaxed, family-friendly environment filled with world music, dance, and art. From Thursday February 20th through Sunday the 23rd, over 50 bands from around the world will perform, representing a huge diversity of genres and cultural heritages. The Festival is full of interactive arts experiences and cultural enrichment for all ages, with a Kid’s Village packed with programming just for young ones. Children ages 12 & under are admitted to the Festival for free.

The Kid’s Village is the central hub for families. There, creative explorations for young people are available throughout the day, at no additional charge! These include a wide rotation of art projects, games, bubbles, origami, nature & wildlife walks, science projects, and more. Plus, there’s a brand new playground right in the center of the Kid’s Village.

The Festival caters to families, presenting kid-oriented programming in the Sustainability Pavilion each morning and early afternoon. Highlights include Kids Stories, Kids Yoga, UDoodle Programs, Kids Drumming, and other special presentations to be announced. Then on Sunday afternoon, the Festival hosts one of the most exciting activities for kids; the Let’s Emerge Miami Freedom Parade! Everyone is welcome to participate in the procession around the festival grounds at 2pm spreading messages of positivity and freedom; costumes, props, and music instruments encouraged.

Music and Dance workshops geared towards adults and older children take place all weekend. Musical workshop highlights include; World Drumming, Banjo & Fiddle with legend Richie Sterns, and Native Flute. Dance workshops for all levels take place prior to performances in the Dance Tent, including Bachata, Salsa, and Zydeco instruction. At Miami’s Scratch DJ Academy Booth, festival-goers of all ages can try their hand at DJ-ing with instruction from world-renowned DJs and teachers.

The event is in many ways a ‘lifestyle festival’ with a holistic approach to entertainment that engages all of the senses. In partnership with the Zen Village of Coral Gables, the Healing Arts Area offers workshops in various lineages of Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, traditional dance, healing drumming, and more wellness practices. Practitioners of various healing modalities such as massage, Reiki, and more offer their services throughout the day in a lovely shaded grove along the water.

Environmental sustainability and ecological preservation are at the heart of the event, with The Sustainability Fair & Expo acting as an interactive model of engagement between South Florida businesses and festival attendees. Over the course of the weekend Green Businesses, featuring sustainable services and products work alongside non-profits to promote a sustainable future for Miami. There will be solar demos, bio-diesel education, urban farming workshops, and more.

Additional Festival features include a Craft Fair with 100% handmade artisanal goods, Live Art, and The Rise Up Gallery Tent. The GrassRoots World Café offers a variety of ethnic cuisines to satisfy all tastes.

The Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival’s mission is to create a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and global community engagement. The Festival facilitates culturally rich arts experiences that nurture the preservation of traditional and folk music while showcasing their modern incarnations.

Held on the pristine sands of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, camping is available on the main festival grounds, just steps from the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Key is a short ride from downtown Miami, but is quiet and secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city, creating the perfect setting for this one-of-a-kind festival. A Quiet Camping Area located in a peaceful cove away from the stages that is especially geared towards families. Tents as well as vehicle and RV spaces are available.

The GrassRoots organization is deeply committed to building relationships in the community and creating local partnerships. ‘Roots in the Schools’ is the Festival’s collaborative outreach program which aims to inspire youth through music while fostering arts and cultural appreciation. In the week leading up to the event, The Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival brings musicians into local schools for musical performances, classroom presentations, workshops, hands on experience and cultural enrichment. The program’s goal is to promote the creative health of young people while providing them an opportunity to connect with the inspiring world of music. Please take a minute to view a short highlight video from last year’s program: http://youtu.be/8eTbyKStR_0

Admission tickets are very moderately priced, with Day Passes ranging from $25-$40. Youth ages 13-15 are just $20 per day, or $50 for all 4-Days. Kids 12 & under are Free. Adult 4-Day Tickets are $100 in advance, $120 at the gate.

Tent Camping Passes are $25 per night or $50 for 4-Nights. Vehicle Camping Passes (which include a free tent pass) are $50 per night or $100 for 4-Nights. Any vehicle larger than 21ft or car towing a camper are considered RVs and priced at $150. Volunteer opportunities are still available in trade for free tickets.

For more information about the festival visit www.virginiakeygrassroots.com Facebook, Twitter & Instragram: @GrassRootsMiami. Tickets are available and questions answered at 786-409-5261.

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Media Contact:

Jon McNamara

607-761-1572

Videos from Virginia Key GrassRoots:

2014 Festival Preview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYHnmzutlWU&feature=youtu.be


Roots in the Schools Program

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eTbyKStR_0

Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music, Art & Dance Links:

www.virginiakeygrassroots.com

www.Facebook.com/GrassRootsMiami

Twitter & Instagram: @GrassRootsMiami