Purple Hatter’s Ball has announced their first official onsite pre-party in their seven-year history. Kicking things off on Thursday, May 8, fans are invited to get settled in at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) a night early and enjoy music from The Fritz, Monozygotic, Moon Hooch and more. Tickets are available for $20 and include camping, music and all fees. The official festival, taking place May 9 - 11, honors the memory of longtime friend of SOSMP and music festival lover Rachel Morningstar Hoffman.Released today, the schedule unveils the addition of two Campground Stages that playfully pits bands embedded in the Jacksonville music scene versus those from Gainesville. Fans can watch them go head-to-head from noon to 8 pm. Purple Hatter’s is also directing energy toward a new yoga and workshops program including: Acro Yoga; Partner Thai Yoga Massage; Permaculture; a Natural Medicine Panel; Reiki; Juicing 101; a Drum workshop with Luke Quaranta and Weddie Braimah of Toubab Krewe, and more. Festivalgoers will be treated to live art from 20 painters, and be able to get down late night in the Silent Disco. The most touching moment of the weekend comes from Rachel’s loving mother, Margie Weiss (aka Mama Margie), who leads an emotional Mother’s Day Ceremony, celebrating her daughter’s memory.To view the schedule visit: www.PurpleHattersBall.comPurple Hatter’s Ball features a diverse line-up of artists including: experimental world fusion performers Beats Antique; Emancipator Ensemble, a four-piece live band that builds on Emancipator’s original trip-hop downtempo production; England’s funky four-piece The New Mastersounds; Colorado’s dance-funk seven-piece The Motet; electronic producer/guitar player and drummer duo, The Floozies, who are performing at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for their first time; dynamic genre-bending rock band The Heavy Pets; soul-music super group The Nth Power; the conscious world-reggae of DubConscious; Space Capone’s retro disco-funk; multi-instrumentalist sisters Rising Appalachia; bass-driven live electronic trio Greenhouse Lounge, and more.Taking place during the springtime, the venue itself is a virtual playground with endless fun and activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf and biking. The park also offers guest comforts including cabins, general store, a full-service restaurant, showers and water stations. Tickets include three days of music, primitive camping and all taxes and fees. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also generously offering a deeply discounted cabin and golf cart rental package to Purple Hatter’s guests. Cabins are limited, so jump on this deal quickly by calling 386.364.1683. Advance tickets are currently available for $100 at www.PurpleHattersBall.com.Purple Hatter’s Ball 2014 Artist Line Up:Beats AntiqueEmancipator EnsembleThe New MastersoundsThe MotetThe Heavy PetsThe FlooziesThe Nth PowerDubConsciousSpace CaponeRising AppalachiaGreenhouse LoungeThe FritzAvis Berry Band & Scott CampbellCatfish AllianceLocos Por JuanaGrandpa’s Cough MedicineApplebutter ExpressTrial By StoneKetchy ShubyStillwoodCherry RoyaleShoes and LacesSPOREHerd of WattsParker Urban BandSqueedlepussJason Lamar & the RigJacksonvegasLove ChunkMorning FattyStereo VuduFlat LandHail Cassius NeptuneBells and RobesDJ RubyMSNRAParker RobinsonUniversal GreenYankee SlickersFamatoThe Silent Disco Vlad the InhalerSir Charles Zak tha Blak Trillucination LeGinge Ellofunk CombustibleSethEdemik Bit Deff Mason MastersMatthew Connor
