In the ‘50s they had block parties. Today, they have rock parties.This weekend the residents of the North Gate area gathered together for two days of concerts and communal revelry at the Ivanhoe Music Festival.Like any good block party, there was no shortage of lawn chairs, cold drinks and neighborly camaraderie. And like any good rock party, there was no shortage of wailing guitars, tight pants and Russell Brand hairstyles.Twenty bands graced the stage set up in front of an Ivanhoe Street house, including Righteous Buddha, Brass Bed, Elsah, We Landed on the Moon! and Black Sound Parade.Many of the musicians live in the area and play in more than one band, an example of the closeness of the community.”It’s a cool area; we’re like family,” said Robyn Carpenter, area resident and political science junior. “It’s the only place I know where you can go to a neighbor’s house and borrow a cup of sugar at one o’clock in the morning and no one thinks you’re weird.”John Bennett, festival organizer and University alumnus, said the event was truly a community effort. The stage and sound equipment were donated from local companies. Restaurants such as Chelsea’s Cafe and Inga’s Subs and Salads donated sandwiches, and a former landlord set up a band hospitality area with home-cooked food.Bennett said this year is the smoothest the festival has run because of everyone’s willingness to pitch in and help.Ivanhoe Fest started in 2001 with the intention of being an annual event but has not been held since 2005.”People were hungry for it,” Bennett said. “We saw the opportunity this year, so we decided to try it again.”Steve Struck, University alumnus, is one of the original organizers of the festival and has lived in the area for 13 years.He said when it started only five or six bands played on a Saturday.”At the end of the first day we announced, ‘Hey, if anyone wants to play tomorrow, show up,’ and bands just showed up and played,” Struck said.He said the cooperative and collaborative nature of the local music scene forms the heart of the festival.”It’s not competitive or cutthroat,” Struck said. “There’s a good vibe among everybody.”One such group of musicians is Torn & Frayed, a southern rock trio that disbanded in 2006. They kicked of the festival with a reunion show Saturday, drawing the biggest crowd of the day.Singer Ryan Harris’ mother-in-law lives in the back of the house where the stage was set up and was asked if she was OK with a music festival being held in her front yard.”She said the only way it’s cool is if my son’s band plays,” Harris said.Struck said the festival was never meant to be for anyone other than neighbors and friends.”It’s just a bunch of neighborhood people here putting on a party,” Struck said. “It was never meant to be a big festival with strangers.”He said the low-key nature of the festival is what makes the event successful.Instead of hordes of people standing shoulder to shoulder in a field, neighbors sit on their front porches and watch their dogs and kids run around while listening to local talent.”Ivanhoe is back!” shouted Dave Hinson, the upright bassist for Righteous Buddha. “It’s about time!”- – – -Contact Lauren Walck at lwalck@lsureveille.com
Neighbors, musicians gather for Ivanhoe Music Festival
September 20, 2008