Oxford News

Camp Buzz music festival again teamed up with global peace organization Earthdance for another memorable weekend of camping, music and good vibes.

Held at the renovated Hannon's Camp America, Camp Buzz 2006 featured 17 live bands on two stages and a fire dance performance by The Incendium Arts Troupe.

Beginning Friday and continuing into the early morning hours Sunday, audience members were treated to non-stop music by an eclectic group of musicians from around the country.

Camp Buzz has been producing memorable events since 1994. Executive Producer Dan Heimbrook said this year was no different.

"It was a fantastic success; the weather, the vibe, the music, everything," he said.

An early highlight of the weekend was the Rumpke Mountain Boys' marathon set beginning at 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the "BoogieBarn" stage. A veteran of Camp Buzz, the Cincinnati act brought the crowd to their feet with their unique from of improvisational bluegrass.

After a few hours of much needed sleep, the music had started up again by noon Saturday.

Indianapolis-based Wolfy performed their style of "symphonic rock" at 3 p.m. The band's namesake enjoyed his overall Camp Buzz experience.

"It's nice weather, everyone's just hanging out," Wolfy said. "If you're camped out you can hear the music from both stages."

At 7 p.m. Camp Buzz linked up with Earthdance events in more than 240 cities and 50 countries for a five-minute moment of silence as the specially produced song "Prayer for Peace" was played throughout the venue. Festival founder Ryan "Buzz" Bussey urged the crowd to take the time to meditate on the need for peace and to send positive vibes out into the world.

Heimbrook was pleased with the audience's reception to this aspect of the weekend.

"I though the Earthdance Prayer for Peace came across very well. People were very respectful of it," he said.

Formed in 1997, Earthdance has become the world's largest simultaneous music and dance event.

The largest Earthdance celebration in Ohio, CampBuzz will donate half of the weekend's proceeds to RockTheEarth.org. A national pubic interest environmental organization, RockTheEarth.org works to promote environmental issues throughout the world by working closely with the music industry. The preservation of the Miami River and the Little Miami River are top priorities for the organization in the area.

Directly following the Prayer for Peace was an eye-opening performance by indie-rockers Exit Clov. Fronted by twin sisters Emily and Susan, this Washinton, D.C.-based band mesmerized the crowd with the girls' sparkling pop vocals backed by driving bass and drums.

While understandably busy for most of the weekend, Heimbrook was finally able to relax Saturday night and enjoy the music of Cincinnati funk group Freakbass at 11 p.m.

"All the work was done and I could just dance to the funk," he said.

At 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning the Incendium Arts Fire Troupe capped off the weekend with a performance in front of the main stage. Mixing dance and percussion the group provided a unique experience for audience members as flames twirled through the night air and danced off booming drums.

Music and dance were not the only attractions of the weekend though, as campers were offered a wide array of vending and recreational opportunities. A large number of families came out for the event, the children thoroughly enjoying bouncing around in the inflatable playground while the adults got to roll around the main concert field in inflatable "Sumo suits..

Brian Ulery of Cleveland took advantage of Camp America's more natural entertainment.

"It was really nice to be able to just relax and take a walk in the woods and enjoy nature," he said.

Excellent indoor lodging was available to Camp Buzz attendees this year, but with the incredible fall weather many chose to camp-out for the weekend. Father and son Joel and Erik Vanderkolk took advantage of the great outdoors, camping out and enjoying smoked chicken and corn all weekend. An amateur songwriter, Joel Vanderkolk enjoyed the time spent with his teenaged son and the Camp Buzz experience.

"It's a great value for the money, just a lot of good people chilling out and enjoying some great music," the elder Vanderkolk said.