FoCoMX 2016 is incorporating several new features this year including a comedy lineup and FoCoMX preevents at The Ramskeller and Zwei Brewing. Presented by the Fort Collins Musicians Association (FoCoMA) and sponsored by Odell Brewing Co., the 8th annual FoCoMX weekend boasts over 250 Colorado bands and solo musicians at 25 Downtown Fort Collins venues.
Youth programming and student involvement is featured this year with Kids Programming at Everyday Joe’s Coffee House, youth performances throughout the lineup and an extensive partnership with Colorado State University. Mr. Marty (http://www.kidsmusic.co/), 15yearold Maya Bennet and Linneage Music Project (http://www.lineagemusicproject.com/) are some of the favorites in the youth lineup. FoCoMX has teamed up with an honors class at CSU to mentor students in a reallife marketing project to market a CSU Ramskeller preevent, as well as working with Rocky Mountain Student Media to shoot archival video and execute cross platform coverage of the event to provide real world event experiences. The free live music event will be located in the newly remodeled and ever popular Lory Student Center’s “Ramskeller” on Friday, April 15 and will feature two Colorado State University alumni bands, WriteMinded and Slow Caves from 36pm.
“Mentoring students is a key part of growing the next generation of Fort Collins music lovers. We are able to do this by booking youth bands, including programming for younger audiences, as well as working with CSU on events and marketing campaigns.” Peggy Lyle, FoCoMA Board of Directors.
Zwei Brewing will also host a second FoCoMX preevent on Saturday, April 16 from 36pm featuring Fort Collins’ favorites Post Paradise Duo and Tallgrass. This is the only venue not located in the Fort Collins Downtown area. “We would love to expand to more venues outside of the downtown area as the festival grows; Zwei Brewery reached out to us and we thought it would be a great opportunity to partner with a south venue and promote the FoCoMX weekend,” explained Greta Cornett, President of Fort Collins Musician Association (FoCoMA).
FoCoMX 2016 also features comedy acts from local comedians between sets at several venues. “We are extremely proud to add comedy to our FoCoMX festivities this year! We are happy to showcase another talented genre of performers in our community and feel they will bring a unique element of excitement to the festival,” said Cornett.
2016 quick facts:
- Event Dates: Friday, April 22 & Saturday, April 23
●Wristbands:
○ $35
- For Sale at: FoCoMX.org and Rock N’ Robins on S. College Avenue
- A weekend wristband provides music enthusiasts with an opportunity to experience Northern Colorado’s extensive variety of live bands from every genre, DJs, and even some comedy shows!
- FoCoMX.org The FoCoMX 8 website has the comprehensive schedule with all the music lineups for fans to browse, listen to bands and plan their musical weekend. (www.focomx.org) The website features the music lineup, schedules, press information and graphics, volunteer opportunities and information on free industry workshops/panels for local musicians.
- Over 250 volunteers help make the festival possible and they earn a free festival wristband for their time donation.
Background:
- FoCoMX started in 2009 as a grassroots experiment in promoting local music.
- The festival has grown, with an attendance of approximately 5,000 in 2015, garnering national attention and earning FoCoMX the unofficial title of “The Biggest Little Festival in America”.
- The Fort Collins Musicians Association’s nonprofit mission is to provide education, support and networking opportunities to the Fort Collins (and surrounding) music community.
