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Avon to spend $35,000 re-creating Woodstock

The The Band Band recreates The Band, a classic rock band from the 1960s and 1970s. Of the original five members of The Band, only two are still living.
Special to the Daily |

AVON — Ever wonder what it would have been like to attend Woodstock?

The town of Avon approved $35,000 in seed funding and use of the Avon Performance Pavilion at Harry A. Nottingham Park for a two-day festival called Coverstock Music & Art Festival to be held June 25-26.

Coverstock, a tribute band festival replicating the first Woodstock, is expected to attract 2,500 attendees in its first year. Conceived by True Local Events’ managing partner Tom Dobrez, who also owns local radio stations KZYR The Zephyr and KKVM The Mile, Coverstock will feature tribute bands that recreate the sights and sounds of the 1969 Woodstock music festival held in upstate New York.



“There were millions of people who grew up with the music of Woodstock and missed the chance to see those mud-drenched epic performances,” Dobrez said. “With an absolute epic lineup that included The Band, The Grateful Dead, The Who and Jimi Hendrix, among others, the original Woodstock was the festival of all festivals. Our goal is to recreate that experience without the rain and mud.”

The weekend will feature nearly a dozen top caliber tribute bands performing full sets emulating the remarkable performances from the now historic Woodstock. Though tribute bands have been growing in popularity as individual acts, few venues have ever put them together on the same stage for a celebration of nostalgia and amazing music.

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True Local Events’ strategy also calls for an exceptional art festival in conjunction with the music portion of the weekend. There are plans for a free exhibition of genre specific poster art and display work from artists similar to those featured at the Austin, Texas, South By Southwest gathering called Flatstock.

“This is such a great festival program,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jake Wolf. “Tom knows his music and we know there is audience support for authentic tribute band performers. A full range of ages knows and loves the music from Woodstock, so it will be the kind of event where community and visitors gather around something really good and admired. The festival is happening at a choice time of year at the Pavilion, just as Avon is in full bloom.”

Dobrez said the festival will include full sets from the core bands that attended Woodstock including The Who, Santana, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix and more.

“What you’re going to see at coverstock are bands that really you can not see anymore,” he said.

If the event is a success, Dobrez and the Town of Avon intend to make a festival of tribute bands an annual event at Nottingham Park.

“Each year our goal will be to have a theme,” Dobrez said.


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