It is the middle of winter, it’s cold, Vitamin D levels are low, and all we keep seeing are summer festivals announcements, making us yearn for those hot, summer days of wild abandonment, frolicking around in a grassy knoll while the soundtrack to your summer plays, and….basically just wishing that this never-ending winter will end. Well, it can, and a lot earlier than you think. All you have to do is get down to the AURA Music & Arts Festival in the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, about 90 minutes west of Jacksonville, FL from March 6th-8th. The festival is not too far away, yet not close enough where you can’t plan a quick trip down to the Sunshine State to see sets from some of the best bands in the jam scene today. Here are a few reasons why AURA needs to be your first festival of 2015:

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun

2x sets from the Disco Biscuits, 2x sets from moe., and 2x sets from Papadosio. Wait, you need more than that? Ok, how about the first ever Break Science Live Band performance with Adam Deitch, Borahm Lee ft. Lettuce/Shady Horns band members Jesus Coomes, Adam Smirnoff, Ryan Zoidis, and Eric Bloom? Throw in some sets from Kung Fu, Dopapod, RAQ, TAUK, American Babies, Mike Dillon Band, Turbo Suit, and many more, you got yourselves a full lineup of incredible music.

 

Flights to Jacksonville Are CHEAP!

There are some great deals on several different sites, including Kayak and Priceline, for Round-trip Flight Only, or Round-trip Flight + Car. Grab a friend and get down there. Check out the following deals from these major cities:

NYC > Jacksonville – $158 r/t
Washington DC > Jacksonville – $137 r/t
Boston > Jacksonville – $228 r/t
Chicago > Jacksonville – $291 r/t

 

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is Absolutely Beautiful

There is a reason this site holds a number of incredible festivals on-site throughout the year, including the String Cheese Incident’s Hulaween, Bear Creek, Purple Hatter’s Ball, Wanee Music Festival and several others. Nestled in 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, several outdoors activities are readily available, include swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf and biking. The park also offers guest comforts including a general store, full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms and water stations.

 

Pre-Party on Thursday Night!

Now, let’s just say you work a half-day on Thursday (or maybe take the whole day off to get out of Dodge), and just want to get to the site early to get settled in. Good, that’s what we are planning to do too! On Thursday night, for an additional $30 you can get a 4-day pass and party a night early with sets from Dopapod, The Motet, and Ghost Owl. Just a little extra something to help warm those bones up for a nice, long weekend.

 

We All Need a Little Sun

Just ask your doctor, and he will tell you that you need to maintain optimal Vitamin D levels to help prevent and reduce the risk of getting high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, allergies….the list goes on and on. In the winter, when you get the least amount of vitamin D, you need to make sure you take care of yourself. What’s the best way to get your dose of Vitamin D, you ask? The sun! So, there is another excuse (and a healthy one at that) as to why AURA Music & Arts Festival should be the first festival you go to this year. Don’t wait all the way until summer to get out and enjoy some nice weather. Come to AURA March 6th-8th (or the 5th)!

 

*** For More Information About This Year’s AURA Music & Arts Festival, Click HERE! ***

 

Full 2015 AURA Music & Arts Festival Lineup:

The Disco Biscuits (two sets)
moe. (two sets)
Papadosio (two nights)
Break Science Live Band (ft. Jesus Coomes, Adam Smirnoff, Ryan Zoidis and Eric Bloom)
Kung Fu
Dopapod
The Heavy Pets
RAQ
Jimkata
Consider the Source
TAUK
The Main Squeeze x2 including a Tribute to Michael Jackson
American Babies
The Mike Dillon Band
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
The Mantras
The Fritz
McLovins
Ghost Owl
Turbo Suit (formerly Cosby Sweater)
Brother Bean
Fusik
Ketchy Shuby
Uproot Hootenanny
Funkin’ Grateful
Lather Up!
Fat Mannequin
Stinky Pockets
Artists-at-large: The Shady Horns