The annual Wakarusa festival will launch its Waka Winter Classic tour in Lincoln, Neb., at the Bourbon Theatre Jan. 13. Presented in a “battle of the bands” environment, each tour stop will feature groups competing in a regional showcase. Chosen by each night’s audience, each winner will receive an invitation to play Wakarusa when it takes over Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, Ark., May 31 through June 3.

How do you enter? The first step is to register. Just click here.
www.wakarusa.com/2012/waka-winter-classic

Stops on the Waka Winter Classic Tour include Springfield, Mo., at the Outland Ballroom Jan. 14; Little Rock, Ark., at Stickyz Jan. 20; Denver’s Cervantes’ Other Side Feb. 2; St. Louis at the Old Rock House Feb. 3; Lawrence, Kan., at he Bottleneck Feb. 4; Chicago’s Double Door Feb. 10 and Cain’s Ballroom Feb. 16. Generally speaking, the tour encompasses pretty much the same locales where much of Wakarusa’s audience hails from.

Although the festival has yet to announce its 2012 lineup, tickets, including VIP and camping passes, are on sale now. Visit Wakarusa.com for more info and click here to read Pollstar’s interview with Wakarusa’s top gun, Brett Mosiman.