The _______ festival

lol. Okay, attempting to remain serious.
I like:
the Michigan Roots Festival
the Death by Banjo Festival
the Festival Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken
Ypsitucky Jamboree
Ypsilanti Jamboree
Ypsi Bluegrass Fest
Big rock candy ypsilanti (where the lemonade springs & the bluebird sings!) (and think of the potential candy merch tie-ins from The Rocket!) (OMG candy watertowers FTW!!!)

Okay, sorry, losing seriousness, I’ll sign off…

Ypsi-Turky Jamboree. You could sell turkey legs like they do at Renaissance Festivals.

The Brave Huron Jamboree.

The Raspberry Jam-Boree.

Remembering what the wife of a mayoral candidate and former editor of an A2 publication once said when asked what she thought of Mark Maynard’s Blog …

The DTCDC could call it …

The All Bloggers Are Idiots Music Festival of 2009.

But my vote would be for …

The Ypsilanti Roots Music Festival

Cheers!

Steve Pierce
Ypsilanti

Grrr.

I vote for:

A)The Kentuckilanti Jamboree
B)The Festival Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken
C)The Ypsilanti Varmint (or Critter) Fest

The “Why is Black Jake Boycotting this Festival Festival” and the “The Double Plus Good Audio Presentation Festival” also drew laughs from me, but those three are my serious ones.

I’d offer “The Depot Town Reconstruction,” but that may be going a bit too far in several directions.

I look forward to promoting this event from the stage at the Top of the Park and the Ark.

The Ypsilanti Roots Music Festival and Ypsilanti Jamboree would both be fine choices.

You’re a good sport Black Jake…When are you playing the Ark?

Maybe reuse the previous name of the former festival held at Frog Island, if it’s at Frog Island, and call it the Frog Island Music Festival. Or:

Ypsilanti’s FestiFall
Ypsilanti’s FolkFest
Ypsilanti’s Downtown Music Fest
Downtown Bluegrass Jamboree

And I like Ypsi Bluegrass Fest as mentioned by Suzie.

I’ve known a few cities that thought they were pretty smart
But Ypsi’s got being right down to an art
You think you’re a genius-you drive me up the wall
You’re a regular cool city, a know-it-all
Oh-oo-oh, you think you’re special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you’re something else
That don’t impress me much…

Huron Hootenanny / Hootenanny by the Huron?
Frog Island Gig?
Ypsilanti Jamboree?

You’re a good sport Black Jake…When are you playing the Ark?

July 25th with Frontier Ruckus.

I like ‘Ypsi Jamboree’ because you could still use all the existing publicity designs and materials–just add a black box to cover the shameful ‘-tucky.’

BTW, according to Martin J. Packer’s _Changing Classes_, Ypsilanti used to celebrate Kentucky Day. Anyone remember that?
http://www.google.ca/books?id=3MEYiM1xfU0C&pg=PA120&dq=ypsitucky&ei=IXcwStS3AoL0NMC9oYcP

Ypsi Hillbilly Revival

Ashamed of Our Roots Music Festival.

or

Skeletons in the Closet Festival.

or

Ypsiyuppie Damnboring.

or

Orphan Car Show.

or

Heritage Festival.

or

Another Event for the Same People but this time with Music.

I vote for the “Ypsi Jamboree,” and for just putting a red “X” through the “tucky” on all the promo stuff.

Thankfully, Ypsi has the council, the YHRC and good citizen clarks to “do everything humanly possible aaah to ban this thing and ahh to stop it aaah…”.

Shadow Ypsitucky Festival.

Easily done.

Ypsi needs to shadow itself.

Has ayone yet compiled a list of who was so vehemently against the -tucky?

Maybe we should work on that first, and add the current members of City Council to the list of people to peacefully but vehemently oppose in the future.

I’m trying to be open minded but even I think the Thursday night cruise nightsare starting to go a bit too far.

“Totally Nautical Fest” has a nice ring to it …

When you go to a concert or show or gig or whatever you want to call it, if you get there early enough very often the first thing you hear is a bunch of squawking, clashing, banging and disharmony. You hear it and you think “OMG, what kind of a mess have I gotten myself into?” It’s the group warming up, tuning up, working out the kinks, getting their instruments ready to play. It can sound like madness. But once the seeming madness is over and the playing begins it can be all the better for having had the warm up.

The bands to be featured are likely to be made up of members who are passionate, opinionated, smart, funny, sarcastic, compassionate, driven, proud, sometimes disappointed with choices that have been made. Very much like our community. But at the end of it all they rise together to create something wonderful as a group. Should we offer less when it comes to getting this festival off the ground?

Erik, through Mark, has asked for constructive feedback. So maybe, possibly, please, could we just say that the warm up is over? The time for disharmony has past. Let’s move on to the business of helping make great music happen. If for no other reason, let’s do so because the musicians deserve it.

Oh, and Cousin Geoff, thanks for your vote of support.

I for one was never offended by “YpsiTucky”. I like Ypsilanti and i like Kentucky. However, that being said, i do believe that “Ypsitucky” has a certain trailer trash ring to it that we don’t need. For that matter, here are my suggestions.

Yspi Bluegrass Festival
Kentucky Heritage Festival

What about the Rustbelt Roots Revival?

How about

“Ypsi’s Roots Rockin’ Roll by the River”

I like “The Huron Hootenanny” pretty well.

I hope The Ypsitucky Colonels will still be allowed to play and will still be allowed at The Crossroads Festival in August as well. They are great band even if they are racists…

-Jeremy Baldwin

I don’t actually know anyone in our neighborhood of Ypsi who is from Kentucky. How about the YpsiSillies?

Hey, what the deal? The name a Ypsitucky Jamboree and the festival got approved Monday night by Ypsilanti Township to go in Gyro Park .

Kind of Sterile but I think Ypislanti Jamboree is best.

Lets you know where it is and gets the name out there. I like the idea of crossing out the “tucky” in the old logo but leaving it so you could still see it, probably not enough for the complainers though.

Bluegrass Festival is too specific since it sounds like it won’t be just bluegrass (unfortunately) and I agree Roots festival sounds really lame and overly PC.

Ok, like amused said, we need to pick a name and get on with the festival. We can get back to polital-line-bickering September 6. (or as soon as we’re done here)
My vote; please don’t call it the Ypsilanti __________ fest. We are still tring to raise money here, and we want to genterate interest in a music fest, not just another civic event (Ann Arbor Folk Fest, Taylor Blues Fest, Trenton Jazz Fest) So, from a promotion point of view, I vote for.

Riverside Jamboree.

It’s a brand, we keep part of the name, and we avoid looking like another moldy civic event. See you all there.

Although the best name to me to this point is the Rustbelt Roots Revival, I will propose another – The Ann Arbor Bluegrass Jamboree. Anything of value from Ypsi is copped by Ann Arbor anyway. Ypsi Marriott, St Joe’s, Iggy Pop, etc.

Goes with my whole line of thinking that Ypsi proper should just be called East Ann Arbor. Every city that want’s to be big time, needs a ‘bad part of town’ – Ypsi fits the bill. Too bad railroad tracks don’t separate the two.

I think you need to have bluegrass in the name.

Riverside Bluegrass Festival

So the tale of kidnapped slaves being brought to Michigan in the forties to work in the factories was never supported with any documentation whatsoever?

I believe the originator wanted to arrange the meeting so he could whisper in Mark’s ear,

“It is all an urban legend.” (Or maybe a rural legend would be a more accurate description.)

In honor of Ypsi’s phallic water tower, a tagline for the festival could be,

“The Brick Dick Hicks lay out the Licks” (With “Licks” of course referring to what they do with their musical instruments.)

I wouldn’t put “roots” in the title because it conjures up images of that old tv series with all those black people in it and the “big deal” they made about slavery – which is not exactly something some of descendants of the Appalachians who yearn for the “good ol’ days”, want to be reminded of.

the Festival Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken

If you look at the tenative schedule, only a few bands are really blue grass or folk, there are also a couple world music and dance bands and possibly even a gospel choir. The whole point of the original name, to me, was that it gave it a southern, rootsy feel, but was ambiguous (sp) about what type of music is played. Again, I vote to give it a great, promotable name that doesnt’ make it sound like another civic festival or pigion hole it as a certain type of music. Thanks, all

I say we just call it “Robert”.

Frog Island Fiddle Fest
YpsiGrits Bluegrass & Burbon Festival (still enjoying my local burbon purchases from vacation in Kentucky last year)

I briefly had thought of boycotting as well but the actions of the city’s council/administration just isn’t worth the effort to complain about anymore until re-election time. Why hurt the efforts of those interested in the well being of the city with low attendance.

I wonder if the Heritage Festival committee would be opposed to re-naming their event–Ypsitucky Heritage Festival

Sorry if these were already posted. My attention span waned.
I agree with 2cents,
Ypsilanti Hootenanny
or
Ypsi Bluegrass Jamboree

Ypsilanti Hillbilly Ho-down !

Jake,

The money goes to the DTCDC. It’s their event. It’s their money.

The City.

Celebration of Southern Heritage

The This Inspired Three or Four Fucking Posts on MarkMaynard.com-apalooza

Elvis Fest Wasn’t White Enough-itucky Fest

WHERE IS THE GODDAMN MONEY GOING? by the River

The Please Don’t Look at Our Financial Black Hole on the Other Side of Michigan Avenue Roots Festival at Riverside

Appeasement-o-Rama ’09

Jake,

Feel free to contact me if you’d like to discuss things in detail. The city passed a resolution a week ago that took away the DTCDC’s authority to operate and manage the parks that will begin in just over a month. Any private organization has the ability to hold an event in the parks. The DTCDC would like council to reconsider, but will continue to operate regardless and all the money raised will be reinvested back into the community. That includes the parks.

The money the city set aside is to cut the grass. If you go down to the parks, you’ll notice that we do a lot more than that. Like the new dock, wireless internet, painting all the fixtures (we are planning on painting the pavilion in 2 weeks), programming, marketing, etc. If we are not permitted to operate the parks in the future, we will continue to invest in them through improvements, like we did before the DTCDC assumed operations. We spearheaded the effort to bring in the new lights in Riverside and put our money on the table along with other partners.

Jake – you point out that the city is planning to spend nearly twice as much to operate the parks as the DTCDC, which is a little misleading. Here’s why – first, it costs the city nearly twice as much to cut the grass as the DTCDC, which shows how the private sector can often do jobs more efficiently than municipal governments. Also, that $10,000 doesn’t include costs such as insurance, improvements, auditing, administration and other costs relating to the parks operation. I do know that my board is passionate about investing in Ypsilanti, and if we’re not wanted to operate the parks, we will still continue to invest in them. The DTA and DTCDC have a long history of raising funds to invest in the community, often using our money for the matching funds in grants that the city cannot supply.

I encourage anyone who has seen improvements over the past year to write to your city council members and mayor. And the same goes for anyone who thinks we’re doing a poor job. Tell them if you want the city or the DTCDC running the parks.

Anyways, we have a festival to plan. I’m not going to worry about things that are out of our control.

Keep the names coming. Our heads hurt from thinking too much!

Erik Dotzauer
Executive Director
Depot Town CDC

I commend the DTCDC Board, including Erik, Don, and Andy. I know this was a wrenching decision on your part. I am particularly proud of the very positive attitude you are taking now as you go forth with what everyone hopes will be a hugely successful festival.

I know there will be people at the festival with “ypsitucky” t-shirts, buttons and the like. I doubt I can say anything to dissuade you from this action, even though it would be insensitive to those who are offended by it. The DTCDC hoped to put a positive connotation on the word, so if any are intent on wearing t-shirts, I implore you to make t-shirts that clearly make an effort to uplift the name, not pick the scabs of old wounds.

Now my suggestions/votes for names:

I like the “Riverside” branding idea.

Huron River Hoe Down also has a nice ring.

Something with “Southern Heritage” in it might be good, if not pedestrian.

Riverside Jamboree – Celebrating the Music of Our Southern Heritage.

For levity’s sake: The Not Ypsitucky Jamboree.

Remember when all those people like Gary Clark said that they’d happily be out selling tickets for the event if it were just named something different? I wonder how many they’ll sell?

Jake, I think you just got asked to one of Councilman Robb’s secret “Transparency” meetings. Congratulations. It’s just too bad that you won’t be able to talk about what you hear there.

My question exactly, Prawn Belly. I had the pleasure of conversation with Mr. Clark at the last City Council meeting. I feel his heart is in the right place, and I do hope that not only Gary, but each of the folks that were opposed to the name get beyond any ill feelings and help move to make this event a success. Time will tell, but I am hopeful. Arent we all in it for the same reasons?

The one thing I heard that was very difficult to swallow, besides Mr. Robb’s ill advised humor marginalizing the hours, volunteer time and committment to the city that so many young professionals have put in with the CDC, is that business owners actually stood up and said that they didnt want any of the commerce that would result in bringing people into the great city of Ypsilanti via the Jamboree. I have been involved in the area since 1996, and have seen many businesses come and go. My committment is to support local, shop local and visit all local businesses no matter what side of Michigan Ave they are on. As a business man, I cannot imagine how a business owner in a tough economy would shun aways 1000 s of people who may never had the pleasure of visiting Ypsilanti and not open their doors and invite them in whole heartedly. I hope once the Jamboree is here, perspectives will have changed and they would adopt the type of hospitality that we are building the Jamboree to have. Once again, time will tell. I spend my time and money in Ypsilanti and couldnt care less about the politics. I leave that to city hall. I am out and about and would invite anyone to stop me and say hi. Thanks again all! I cant wait until September 4th and 5th.

More names please!

Don Sicheneder

TGD,

I posted on the last thread addressing those questions that Brian Robb raised. Here you go:

I’ll start by addressing the question raised about spending $4,000 on dining expenses. Yes, the DTCDC spent over 4k on dining over the course of a year. Here’s the breakdown. When the DTCDC assumed operations of the parks, we had a “welcome reception” and invited community leaders and partners to attend to explain the purpose and goals of the DTCDC. Of the 4k, almost half was spent on this event. The DTCDC Board meets once a month for our board meetings over lunch. We have 5 board members plus myself (and occasionally an intern). On average, I’d say the typical bill is around $70 including tip. We also try to schedule most of our meetings with committees and volunteers over lunch, which is generally more convenient for them. And yes, we feel it is appropriate to pick up the tab when we host people working to help us out. Need more examples? We coordinate a park clean up day every year that brings in about 70 people to keep the parks looking nice. Guess what – we buy them all pizza and drinks. Hope that’s okay.

And yes, some of the money we raise does go into my salary ($40,000 with no benefits). But that number is not reflected in the $10,000 that Brian referenced. We project spending (assuming we still operate the parks) over $38,000 from June through October on operations. And we only expect to generate $5,000 – $6,000 in revenue from event fees. We make up the difference from the events we hold and other fundraising efforts.

Here is the contact info for council if anyone is interested:

Mayor
Paul Schreiber
Mayor@cityofypsilanti.com

Mayor Pro-Tem
S.A. Trudy Swanson-Winston, Ward 1
satswanson@hotmail.com

Council Members
Lois Richardson, Ward 1
loiserich@hotmail.com

Michael Bodary, Ward 2
mbodary@cityofypsilanti.com

William Nickels, Ward 2
kbnickels@aol.com

Peter Murdock, Ward 3
pmurdock@cityofypsilanti.com

Brian Robb, Ward 3
brobb@cityofypsilanti.com

omg, Kathryn, SO TRUE!

LOL, I love all the names… some of them made me laugh out loud. And I was struck by how many riff on our southern heritage without any -tucky suffix at all. My fave is Rustbelt Roots Revival. Outre and yet not offensive.

How ’bout “Roots North”?

We got two.
P.C.J.=Politically Correct Jamboree
W.G.W.-Woodruff’s Grove Wahoo

“Ypsitucky” is usually used as a put down to those who live in Ypsilanti. We’ve never heard it used in a positive manner. This music event sounds like a very fun- filled positive event. Here’s a few trys at the name.

Pick’n & Grinn”n Jamboree
Southern Roots Jamboree
Americana South Jamboree

Roflmbo!!

How about:

Southern Fried Jambo

or merely

Ypsi Jamb09

I would like to submit the name: Ypsilanti’s Southland Jamboree

Festival of Putting On Airs And Wearing a Uniform

We Ain’t Tennessee Neither Jamboree

Southern Roots Festival (only if the root rhymes with soot)

And please hire the Ypsitucky Colonels to play the festival.

Maybe the DTCDC should look into the Depot Town parking lot and clean it up. On the day I attended the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra’s Concert at Riverside Park, I stepped out of my car onto a used condom and stinking garbage was spread all over by the dumpsters. Many concert goers had to pass this mess, while parking and crossing the Tridge to Riverside. I was embarrassed. It looked bad again on Saturday morning at the Farmers Market too. Clean it up…

Pardon me, I am an Eastside woman. I gave important feedback and I resent your insinuation you know me. I support anything and everything Ypsi and have since I moved here in 1975. Do not presume you know me. Is it any wonder the number of “Anonymous” responses on this blog considering the nasty factor.

I am an Eastside woman. I gave important feedback and I resent your insinuation you know me. I support anything and everything Ypsi and have since I moved here in 1975. Do not presume you know me.

Well I am an Eastside woman who’s supported everything Ypsi since I moved here in 1961, and I say you’re full of malarky, Steve Pierce.

I say we call it the Ypsisappy Pander Party.

My question is: How many of these “respondents” actually have any long-term ties to: Ypsilanti, Ypsi,Ypsitucky? My family goes back to the mid 1930’s. My Father was asst Coach at YHS under Christie Wilson about 1938. With the opening of the Willow Run Plant, building B24’s, he became an instructor for engine maintenance. His younger bros., Frank and Ed. were students at YHS, Ed joined the Marines and was seriously wounded at Guam. He was with “F” Co., 2ndBn., 9th Marine Reg. during the battle for Fonte Ridge, a pivotal point for the battle of Guam.

Frank was too young to enlist, but worked at Willow Run for the duration.
Both were exceptional athletes for YHS (the BRAVES!).

One of my Father’s greatest disappointments was being unable to join the military, he was deemed ineligible because of his position as an instructor.
My Father became a business-owner, developer and again, a teacher with Ypsi Public Schools @ E. Jr. High.

If it weren’t for the influx of “Southernors” about 1942, Ypsi would not have become the city it is now. It’s heritage lies with the “tuckians”! How can you naive people take it as an insult?

Give those folks and their descendants, that came to Ypsilanti to work in the “bomber plant” and went on to work for Kaiser-Frazier, G.M. and Ford the respect that they are due!

Dismayedly;

Mike Starwas

Yeah Billy Bill — Depot Town’s okay, just don’t shop downtown, buy a house in the city proper, or rent from the Maurers if you want to boycott anyone.

I’m so glad that this thread is here so we can all continue to nitpick on what name is offensive to who for another week or two. I think we should keep it going so we can continue to look foolish to people all over the state for a little while longer. Maybe I’m just a bit jaded at this point, but as an outspoken tucky supporter I want to say, please, DTCDC, can we please choose a name and get on with it? We’ve got a lot of work to do….

Does the phrase “politically correct” mean anything to: Black Jake, Susan? “Ypsitucky” IS NOT RACIST….get over that crap! If you ever visited Willow Village in the 50’s or early 60’s, you would be aware that residents were predominantly white, of “Southern” extraction- hence, Ypsituckians!

I urge you to familiarise yourselves with the history of Ypsilanti (Woodruff’s Grove) to the less than knowledgeable.

How about “Pick’in on Ypsi”?

I am 30 yrs old, just moved to Ypsi this past year and in no way does Ypsitucky offend me or my family. If this whole deal was going on while I was looking for my new home I would have looked right over Ypsilanti. No way do I agree with the naysayers of the Ypsitucky name.

I read Mlive.com, ypsiciti.com, and other local news sites daily and there are much bigger issues than the name Ypsitucky. Such as the fact that I can’t keep my windows open for fear of break ins while I am away.

Ypsitucky is not offensive unless you let it offend you. It doesn’t hurt your feelings, it embarrasses you. I for one am not embarrassed, I love this city and the people in it. How would you people feel if Louisville, KY had a festival called the Louislanti festival? Outraged? Embarrassed? or you wouldn’t feel that way until a few loud Louisville residents felt that associating Ypsilanti with Louisville was degrading and racist? Does that even make sense to you? I am tired of this issue and I commend Don and Erik for their efforts to make this a great festival with a harmless name.

For better or worse, this much is a fact: The term ‘ypsitucky’ has been used, at least since 1995 when I first encountered its usage by college students who’d grown up in this county (and I am sure for decades longer than that), to denote areas in Washtenaw Co. where less educated white folks of Appalachian roots were notably hostile to African Americans, and where Blacks were excluded from good housing, the best industrial jobs, and decent schools. I’ve encountered this kind of usage from both white and Black college students and others; it is a commonly accepted meaning of the term. I’m not saying that usage was correct, but it clearly was/is a common usage of the term. That does not mean that the term is necessarily “racist” — it can be purely descriptive. But it rankles many to suggest, even if unintentionally, that all that was/is conveyed by the word ypsitucky is something we should celebrate. Racially defined housing, schools and employment? Celebrate any of that? No thanks.

The housing that was built for Willow Run workers was racially segregated. Nearly all migrants who worked at Willow Run (with a peak of 40,000 or so workers in 1944 or so) were whites. And any idea that “Ypsitucky” is a generic term for the southern ‘background’ of many people in SE is plainly false, as most Michigan residents with southern roots are African American. The term ypsitucky or taylortucky have specific and unique meanings in the language precisely because of their specific whites-only meaning, as well as because of their (unfair) connotations of these whites being less educated.

So with all due respect to my friends who may imagine that the term first acquired a racial connotation this spring, that is not true. But I am sure its full range of connotations weren’t known to advocates of the term, and thus the controversy took them by surprise. Likewise, they had no ill intent in picking this name.

Ypsilantic Roots Music Jambore? Or a name that describes the range of music to be played there? Is there actually a lot of bluegress on the schedule? I love the Ragbirds, but i’d not thought of them as bluegrass. They’re perhaps better called American roots music married to world music. Let all the types of music flower, under a name that unites and describes and thus invites music fans to come on down to the best urban river front park in the county!

My parents were born in Michigan and moved to Ypsilanti in 1942. I”ve lived here most of my life. In my experience, the word “Ypsitucky” was commonly used as an insult. I’m against the naming of the festival as “Ypsitucky Jamboree” not only because its usage as a derogatory connotation, but also because it links only those from Kentucky to Ypsilanti’s Southern roots. In my neighborhood there were families from Tennessee as well as from Kentucky – not to mention those from Poland and elsewhere.

In keeping with the Southern roots theme, which is what the CDC had in mind, it would be more appropriate to give the jamboree a more Southern inclusive title.

I like Prudencence’s suggestion ” Ypsilanti’s Southland Jamboree” or shorten it to “Ypsi Southland Jamboree.”

Mike Starwas: I’m completely on your side. I went to city council to try to persuade people to keep the name Ypsitucky. I still want it to be the Ypsitucky Jamboree. You accidently caught me in friendly fire.

Let’s name it after the council: Douchilanti Festival

Southern Shame Tour

Ok, back to some names. How about:

The Up North, Down Home Jamboree

I do love the Ypsilanti Hootenany, too

Yes! Keep picking at the wound! This thread is accomplishing so much to bring everybody together behind the festival. I mean, continuing to argue about a word is going to get so much accomplished to help our community and our parks, we should just cancel all the events for Riverside and have another Ypsituck Debate. That will surely raise awareness about city issues. Or make us look like fools.

Really, please, can we start talking about something constructive? Or should we keep up the Rumble of the Wards?

So, what’s the process now for picking a winner?

Ypsilanti Hootenanny!

I’m partial to the Ypsilanti Hootenanny now, too.

If I had to pick one it would be Ypsilanti Hootenany.

Thank you, Cousin Geof. You’ve got the plan… (even if I still like Riverside Jamboree better)

Another vote here for Ypsilanti Hootenany. Great name idea.

I agree we should stop bickering about the name, but no way am I personally going to let those bossy assholes screw everyone so they feel powerful and get off scott free. I for one don’t like anal, especially when I say “no.”

Ypsilanti Hootenanny.

I do listen to the arguments and see valid points from both views. I ask everyone to stand back and try to respect each other’s feelings.

As for the name, “Ypsilanti Hootenany” sure does have a nice ring!

“Riverside Bluegrass Festival” is #2 for a more traditional name.

I love
Ypsi-Dixie Music Festival,
and
Ypsilanti Hootenanny
and
Riverside Bluegrass Festival

Whatever you say Bodary. See you at the ballot box, come the next election cycle. I wish someone would post a list of businesses who supported the name change, so I could take my dollars elsewhere…where they are appreciated. And…to all the people who disagree with me…well…it’s just like the Big Lebowski says….That’s just…like…your opinion, man.

P.S. – I like “Ypsilanti Hootenanny” and “Rustbelt Roots Revival”

Ypsitucky Jamboree.

Ypsitucky Jamboree

LOL!

Seriously, we -tucky supporters should all go to this festival!

Don’t make me put up a winky face emoticon.

I couldn’t agree more with the points made in ‘Impeach Brian Robb’. I live in his ward and he has NEVER asked me or my neighbors about his positions on ‘YpsiTucky’.

The time and energy Brian Robb has spent to destroy an organization (DTCDC) who’s only goal is to improve our parks by contributing THEIR money is ridiculous. His vitriol surpasses those who strongly disagreed with the festival name. I think he is out to destroy those who go against his judgement.

Personally, I have had it with the 3rd ward representives who think ‘they represent the city’. Hell, they FIRST should represent the third ward’s interest, which includes the residents and business district. If you notice both he and Murdock have used the phase, ‘they represent the city’. It’s time they represent our ward’s interest first.

How about:

YPSIlanti KenTUCKY Bluegrass Festival.

The posters and graphics could make the Ypsi and the Tucky much more bold, highlighted, etc.

The other option would be to take the entire series indoors to all the various venues in Ypsilanti, call it “Ypsitucky” and “city hall” can deal with it. If it’s not in the park, can the city really tell the private citizens what to call it? Just a thought.

Good luck.

Here are some more suggestions to add to the other wonderful ideas of what to call the Ypsi**** Jamboree:

Grass Roots, & Boots Bash

Roots & Boots Jamboree

Rockin’ Fiddle Festival

Banjo Pickin’ Party

Ypsilanti Serenade

Ypsilanti Frivolity

Ypsi-Dixie Music Festival is catchy, but I’ve never heard any Southerners who came to live in Ypsilanti refer to their Southern roots as being in Dixie, or having family in Dixieland. I seriously doubt that they would relate to Dixie or Dixieland as a tribute to their heritage.

My favorites:

Ypsilanti Southland Jamboree
(Ypsi Southland Jamboree)

Ypsi Southern SoundFest

Riverside Jamboree

Murph is right, and I hope that reasonable and diplomatic actions prevail.

I do, however, still like the concept of having a redacting coloring party. Getting a room at the RAC won’t be a big deal if the will of this sensible mob is to have an YpsiXXXXX Jamboree.

Does anyone else remember the occasional hootenannies at the Freight House?

While I’m not personally thrilled with the term hootenanny, there is a certain rightness to it. Back in the 60’s many members of the folk revivalist movement held hootenannies as rent raising parties for the performers involved.

A bit off topic but in keeping with the idea of a hootenanny, I think it could be fun to have an “America’s Got Talent” style open mic session as part of the event. A venue for everyday people to share the music they, or their families, brought from where ever they came from. Some of the parameters could be: original or traditional music only, acoustically based, resident of Washtenaw County (or of SE Michigan counties to be more inclusive). X number of minutes in length, content appropriate for family listening.

We know there are amateur musicians out there singing in showers, playing in their living rooms or wherever. Their roots may lay in Kentucky, Scotland, Mexico or the Congo. They may be amazingly good or stunningly not good. Who cares? They are our neighbors. Let’s use music to bring people together to share with one another, learn from one another, explore together our humanness.

Let’s put down our pitchforks and torches and lift up our voices in harmony. Through the grace of whatever, be it God, the human heart, quartz crystals or groundhogs, music has the power to heal if we chose to use it that way.

It’s our choice. Yours and mine. We can continue to struggle, argue, dig up offenses old or new, real or imagined or we can can celebrate one of our greatest gifts, music.

Me? I choose to celebrate. I hope you will too.

My suggestions:

Ypsi. KY Southern Country Jamboree (or Hoedown or Hootenanny)

Southern Heritage Country Jamboree (or Hoedown or Hootenanny)

(Ypsilanti) (or Ypsi.) Down Home Jamboree (or Hoedown or Hootenanny)

Ypsi-KY Down Home Country Jamboree (or Hoedown or Hootenanny)

Ypsi-KY Down Home Country Music Festival

Ypsi-KY Down Home Countryfried Music Festival (or Jamboree or Hoedown or Hootenanny)

Ypsi- KY Countryfried Pickin’ n Singin’ Festival (or Jamboree or Hoedown or Hootenanny)

OR…..any twist or turn or combination of any of the above.

Good Luck!

I agree with Murph’s reasons for leaving ‘Ypsilanti’ and its variations out of the name. I would also add a historical reason, in that the factory workers were primarily from the Willow Run area, which the people of city of Ypsilanti looked down on (but they liked their money). So if my understanding is correct and the concert is in tribute to the musical roots of this area’s working people, then it would be a bit of a slap in the face to name it after where “those uppity city-folks live”.

To carry the alliteration a little further,

Rustbelt Roots Revival(Renamed)

I didn’t realize that if you say it with a twang, “YpsiLANti HooteNANy” has a lovely lilt to it.

But basically, I’m with Murph. And I love Rustbelt Roots Revival.

Rustbelt revival? That’s aweful! Doesn’t sound like something I would waste time seeing. What a horrible image. The Real McCoy Jamboree gets my vote. Hootenanny sounds like a bunch of geeks in white cardigans singing “This Land is Your Land”. Yikes.

Who is the target market anyway? I don’t think Township people are. They may have southern heritage, but I don’t think that makes them bluegrass fans. What makes anybody think this thing is going to be a success?

Regarding Ypsitucky. It was a mean thing that Ypsilantian’s called the workers out at Willow Run. The adults had to tell the kids to stop it, then AND now.

Milan already has a bluegrass festival, with national artists. You better have a serious lineup if you want to run with them. I think they have Rhonda Vencent and also The Grascals this year. Nobody is going to pay money to see bar bands in a venue that you can’t drink at. Maybe we should cancel this thing and come up with something else.

The General

I’m with Murph- we should leave the “Ypsi” out of it. Rustbelt Roots Revival/Rustbelt Revival don’t sound like music festivals to me, they sound like social or religious movements- appealing to some, but not all. Hootenanny by the Huron/Huron Hootenanny sound less serious. If you’re anti-Hootenanny, you can go with Hodown, but then that might get the hos offended.

“The nature of despotic power in democratic ages is not to be fierce or cruel, but minute and meddling.” — Alexis de Tuckyville

“Rust Belt”? Most dictionaries I checked noted that the term refers to declining manufacturing leading to unemployment in our great NE states. Rust itself is basically corrosion, leading to disintegration. Sounds a little too sad.

That makes me like Rustbelt Revival even more! What’s up with all these people who want to sweep reality under the rug instead of dealing with it positively? If your leg’s broken, do you refuse to wear an unseemly cast? Why not wear the cast you’ve got to wear, and get everybody to sign nice things on it? We’re Ypsitucky, we’re Rustbelt, we’re here, get over it.

Rustbelt Revival does not quite sing as much as Rustbelt ROOTS Revival. As a gardener, roots are very important to me. I don’t wanna see them get left out. Growing roots, examining our roots, rooting out discord and disharmony, rooting for the Carnies (TONIGHT AT TOP), all these things are integral to healing the wounds that divide us.

Southern Fried Roots Music Festival
Kentucky Fried Roots Music Fest
Southern Fried Music Fest
Ypsilanti Southern Fried Pick’in Fest (logo with a chicken bucket full of banjo’s)
North by South Music Fest

Here’s an idea. Ask the 12 people who actually show up at this point what they want to call it. As a child of the sixties though I have to admire Brick Dick and friends for finding a cause really worth fighting for. This is some intense political shit. Seriously worth dyeing (your hair) for.

When did Ypsilanti enter the house on MTV’s real world? God almighty. Is the price of having local music that we have to deal with ego’s who get pantie bound by this stuff? I think I want my XM radio…

i’m over the name thing and totally bored by it at this point, but one of the things i think the name should do is represent the music (or not try to do so at all; see the bonnaroo example). Cuz I’m mostly interested in the music (and the parks). Most of the bands I haven’t heard, admittedly, but I have seen Macpodz and My Dear Disco and October Babies and every time someone says bluegrass festival or hootenanny or hoedown or southern heritage, I think huh? I just think it’s important to market the fest accurately. If it’s an eclectic mix, then something less specific seems in order.

Ooops. spelled my email address wrong on that last one. my bad. where’s my spell check? By the way, Black Jake, if you’re out there, hope you had a great show last night….

Hey Andy, thanks! We had a great time. Healing the old fashioned way with a very minor bloodletting to balance the humors.

Not to [insert evil thing here], but it seems if the city’s not going to renew the contract anyway, might as well name it the Ypsitucky Jamboree again.

I will be highly dissapointed if there is no local beer (as promised in earlier promos) I suspect Don might be, too…

The Ypsi Citizen is reporting that the event is to be called “The Jamboree”.

http://ypsiciti.com/section/News/-article-895.html

Apparently they were going to go with “Rustbelt Roots Jamboree” but some people didn’t like the term “rustbelt” either.

Totally neutered the name. “Rustbelt” was derogatory too? Wow Ypsi takes 2 steps backwards every day. I am offended by the name “Jamboree” since it has the word “jam” in it and jams can be bad. Traffic jams, toe jams, etc. And did anyone think of how it will hurt the feelings of preserves, particularly strawberry?

Don’t fret; we private, unaffiliated nobodies can still call it the Ypsitucky Jamboree all we want.

It’s the Ypsitucky Jamboree.

See? Wasn’t struck by lightning or anything.

FUCKING LAME!!! “The Jamboree”? That was my least favorite part of the name in the first place. Maybe instead of selling CDs, the bands could sell cookies. This whole thing just seems so stupid now…I wish I would have just went camping somewhere instead. I hope people avoid this whole Mess O’ Fest, and it crashes and burns. So let me get this straight…they shot down the first name, and then they came up with a second cool sounding name and they pissed on that one too…then, they bottled all that piss, and will be serving it in beer bottles to the festival patrons? No wonder everyone pokes fun at this town….

I want to be upset with this new name, but it’s so insipid that I just can’t muster any passion.

So Ypsitucky was a bit too edgy. Understood, but folks really need to lighten up around town.

Now Rust Belt is too edgy as well? Are you fucking serious? You see the term used in the NY Times, academic books, etc. It’s mostly used as a term for post-industrial cities in the Great Lakes region, not a derogatory name hardly these days. I’ve lived in the Rust Belt my whole life (and toured most of it’s big cities) and I have no problems what so ever with this title. In fact I think it would be even better and more accurate than Ypsitucky in so many ways.

So with Ypsitucky shot down and now Rust Belt can we officially declare Ypsilanti the lamest city in SE Michigan (certainly the Rust Belt) and possibly the entire state? Blandsilanti indeed!

I think I’ll call it the Ypsitucky Rustbelt Revival.

Fuck you, whoever.

Okay, but you have to credit me. Small d. Better be good.

I’d like to start off by saying I love Ypsi, it’s the town where I was born and raised, however I’m in total disgust over many of this town folks. As a native of Kentucky, over six decades ago my grandfather made this town his home as a consequence of the times he lived in. I’m not quite sure what pain he felt when someone degraded Ypsilanti as “Ypsitucky” but I could assure you that it never made him ashamed of his roots. My Grandpa is not here today to give his opinion upon the matter of the Ypsitucky dispute, so I feel his family is his only representative. Perhaps sixty some years ago, if some Ann Arborite or other outsider had suggested he hailed from a place so called Ypsitucky he’d “not take a liking to it”. However, I feel that if the city and it’s people, that has taken this abuse for so many years, had attempted to dilute this term and use it as a way to commemorate this city’s heritage, he’d be all for it. Though I’m not quite certain of the history all of those that oppose the notion, it drives me mad that there are those who are relatively new to the city, by my standards, feel they can step on our toes and deprive us of the right of expressing the love of our own roots. I know Steve Pierce is quite the expert on the influx of southern bred Ypsilantian’s and the mayor has heard the public outcry over the name, but who’s voice was heard??? Was it really the southerners who are so outraged and feel downtrodden, or is the overly PC citizens who have no connection to the heritage they feel they should speak for. I even wanna suggest that there are some folks that don’t want their beloved city labeled after some “backwards” people from yesteryear , regardless of how they helped mold this city. In conclusion, I supposed I just wanna say the name change is total bullshit, and if you live here and don’t like the fact that this is Ypsitucky, deal with it.