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Summer Music Festivals (Roots to Rachmaninoff)

GATHERING OF THE VIBES
JULY 10-13. Join the Vibe Tribe where old school meets new school—and maybe even middle school—for the eighth time. James Brown, Jorma Kaukonen, Allman Brothers, Spearhead, and Rusted Root headline this whopper fest of diverse artists. An elaborate Web site FAQ gives the whole scoop. Five ticket categories range from $75 to $350, but kids can come for free. Bring your RV, and party on, Garth. Indian Lookout Country Club, 22 Shelter Rock Lane, Danbury, CT. (800) VIBE-TIX. WWW.TERRAPINPRESENTS.NET

BELLEAYRE CONSERVATORY MUSIC FESTIVAL
JULY 5-AUGUST 30. Heavy hitters Ray Charles (July 12), Wynton Marsalis (August 23), and Dr. John (August 30) blow up this dual-month music celebration at Belleayre. Also on the bill is a patriotic performance by Binghamton Philharmonic, Broadway’s Linda Eder, Igor Butman’s Moscow Quartet, the Dixieland All Stars, and more. Opera fans can swoon to “Madama Butterfly” or enjoy the enchanting, no-admission “The Frog Prince” with their kids. Seats range from $10 to $65 for various shows. Belleayre, Route 28, Highmount. (800) 942-6904. WWW.BELLEAYREMUSIC.ORG

GODDESS FESTIVAL
JULY 25-27. It’s camp with a twist. The 2003 Goddess Fest features comedians, musicians, burlesque, and spoken-word artists from HBO, Comedy Central, and MTV. Enjoy a spa, yoga classes, tubing, workshops, an old-fashioned BBQ, and the hottest of girlie variety entertainment in old Catskill style, including Betty, Murray Hill, Bitch and Animal, Wau Wau Sisters, Goddess Perlman, Booty Olympics, Miss Saturn, Ladyfinger, and GirlSalon. $40 day/$80 weekend, camping also available. Full Moon Resort, Oliverea. (212) 946-6396. WWW.GODDESSFEST.COM

FALCON RIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL
JULY 24-27. Once a tiny event in the Berkshires, this 12-year-old festival has waxed immense with 40+ acts on four stages. This year’s lineup includes Arlo Guthrie, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin, Richard Shindell, Greg Brown, John Gorka, The Kennedys, The McKrells, Dar Williams, and Richard Thompson. On-site camping, first aid, and security are available, along with food, crafts, kids’ activities, and merchandise from around the world. Tickets are available in several weekend and one-day categories; kids under 12 get in free. Long Hill Farm, Hillsdale. (866) 325-2744. WWW.FALCONRIDGEFOLK.COM

HERITAGE MUSIC FEST
JULY 11-12. Clermont’s fifth annual music fest kicks off Friday at 6PM with a free blues jam, followed by eight acts on Saturday, including Bill Perry, Professor Louie and the Crowmatix, Sonando, and other favorite regionals. From American roots to blues, gospel to salsa, or reggae to zydeco, this event is a benefit for the gorgeous historic estate overlooking the Hudson River and Catskills. The 18th-century Livingston mansion forms a backdrop to the main stage and is open for tours on Saturday. Camping permitted by advance reservation. $10 to $25. Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown. (518) 537-6622. WWW.FRIENDSOFCLERMONT.ORG/BLUES

PIANO SUMMER AT NEW PALTZ
JULY 11-AUGUST 1. Now in its 8th year, SUNY’s School of Fine and Performing Arts presents an event dedicated solely to piano. Students worldwide will join musicians and teachers to hear a cross-section of such American and international talent as Vladimir Feltsman, Nadia and Max Shepard, Daniel Pollack, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, and Daniel Shleyenkov as they perform works by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and more. A Meet the Artists gala, lectures, student recitals, and master classes round off the fest. $10 to $35. SUNY New Paltz. 257-3904. WWW.NEWPALTZ.EDU/PIANO