The series of benefit festivals called “GrassRoots” will debut its Miami version in February.
The GrassRoots music events began 21 years ago when organizers created the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival to benefit the fight against AIDS along with supporting education and the arts. Twelve years later the second GrassRoots annual event debuted in Shakori Hills, N.C.
Now Miami has a GrassRoots of its own. Taking place Feb. 9-12 at the beach park on Virginia Key barrier island in Biscayne Bay, the first-ever Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival Of Music & Dance will feature performances by Arrested Development, Fishbone, Chaka Khan, Cope, Crazy Fingers, Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury Band and Donna The Buffalo, to mention a few names. Organizers say the festival will host more than 40 acts on its debut run.
Tickets are on sale now and include $100 four-day passes marked down to $90 through Christmas Day. Other ticket options include youth four-day passes for the 13-15 crowd going for $50 and RV camping priced at $150. Kids under 12 will be admitted free. Visit VirginiaKeyGrassRoots.org for more information.