By Kellie Abrahamson
Monday, January 21st is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday honoring the life and legacy of America’s greatest champion of racial justice and equality. For some on the First Coast, however, the celebration begins on Saturday when the first annual Unity Music Festival takes over Metropolitan Park. The massive event, which boasts over 100 different bands, singers, rappers, instrumentalists and DJs, will epitomize Dr. King’s message of unity through its diverse musical offerings and, no doubt, the diverse crowd they are sure to draw.
“The idea behind The Unity Music Festival was created by Christopher White of White Nite Inc,” said Jon Kinesis, local DJ and booking agent/promoter for the festival. “Christopher dreamed of bringing a diverse group together for one amazing musical event in hopes to better the community. I think he said it best in The Unity Music Festival Press release: ‘The growing epidemic of violent crime amongst the young people of our community demands creative solutions which go beyond threats of punishment and jail time. Our racially diverse youth population needs to be inspired to come together and celebrate life through a greater power- the power of great music.’”
The festival’s line-up is huge and features a wide variety of artists. The main stage will include performances by Rabbit in the Moon, George Acosta, Webbie, Lil Boosie, Kinesis himself and more. The Jagermeister mobile stage boasts Tommy Lee and DJ Aero, Meat Katie, and local bands like Amaru, Joey Chop and Fed Up, among others. There will also be individual stages set up for Drum and Bass, House, Hip-Hop and Breakbeat. The huge range of musical acts is sure to bring out an extremely diverse crowd, which is, of course, sort of the point.
“We are expecting a wide variety of all types of people,” Kinesis said. “Hip-Hop lovers to House heads, Drum and Bass and Breaks fanatics, to rockers. We are hoping that everyone that attends this unique festival comes with an open mind and keeps the true meaning of this incredible event in mind at all time … Unity.”
While the music is the festival’s main draw, attendees will have more to see and do as the day goes on.
“Besides seeing some of the world’s top international acts, Asbury Independent will be host to a huge wakeboard expedition on the river all day long,” Kinesis explained. “Plenty of food vendors and beverage tents to keep just about everyone satisfied, and we’re even in talks of adding a few rides such as the ‘Gravitron’... We’ll have to see how this one turns out. There will definitely be a lot in store for everyone that attends this festival.”
Tickets for the Unity Music Festival are currently on sale now through the event’s website, unitymusicfest.com, and are available at a discounted rate until the day of the show. General admission tickets are $39.50 and special VIP passes are $99. What do the VIPs get, you ask?
“VIP Guests will be treated to many exclusive privileges and a chance to rub elbows with the artists,” Kinesis said. “Some of these privileges include but are not limited to: complimentary catered food, comfortable seating and tables, exclusive backstage access, artist meet and greet with autograph signing, separate VIP bars and waitresses, private indoor bathrooms, reserved parking, access to the VIP nightclub behind the main stage and so much more.”
Anyone who’s been to a music festival knows those are perks worth paying for!
The Unity Music Festival is this Saturday, January 19th from 11 am to 11 pm. For more information, a complete line up of all the artists performing or to get a taste of some of the music you’ll hear at the event, visit unitymusicfest.com.
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