Spring break is an academic tradition that gives students a week away from their tedious studies and tremendous course loads. Many students will use this time to go back home and visit family, but as Illinois is currently covered in snow, I think it’s time to consider an alternate destination much further south. This year everybody should consider a trip to Florida, not for their beautiful beaches, but for their incredible live music.
The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park is hosting its 7th annual AURA Music & Arts Festival on March 3rd – 5th in Live Oak, Florida. The three day music festival is the perfect spring destination to see over 60 blossoming jam bands in a naturally beautiful atmosphere as the park grounds include over 500 acres for camping, hiking, canoeing, and connecting with the wilderness. It also hosts activities hidden throughout the property like putt putt and frisbee golf in case you want to get a game in between bands.
Music
Aura has built a strong formula of talented musicians with returning favorites like The Werks, Fusik, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and Jimkata. For the second year straight the Disco Biscuits will headline and close the weekend of fusion rock with a stellar three hour performance and dazzling light show.
Check out this video from last year’s festival: Disco Biscuits Aura: 2015 Video
Stages
There will be three stages and an ENO lotus lounge to ensure that festival attendees are always entertained. The Lotus Lounge is the ideal location to “hang” out and listen to tunes in a mobile relaxation sanctuary. The creators of ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters), wanted a way to give back to its faithful festival customers who have helped the hammock and outdoor accessory producer grow over the past ten years so they produced the lotus lounge which will offer up hammocks for festival patrons to utilize when the blisters on their feet have become bloody or the Florida sunshine has become unbearable. You’re invited to rest in the shade for a couple moments but don’t mistake this for a quite oasis as it packs a centralized DJ booth, professional lighting system, and a 5,000 watt sound system. Day and night the Lotus Lounge makes for a comfortable low key lounge between the exciting sets.
Also returning to Aura in 2016 are the late night silent discos. After the headliners close out the evening Suwannee Music Park goes quite but the music doesn’t stop. Each night of the 3-day weekend, 6 artists play 3-sets in pairs.
Now if you aren’t aware of how silent discos work, then it is important to know that festival patrons wear headphones and decide which artist they would like to listen to by selecting between two different channels. In the past Aura has represented its rock roots late into the night with bands playing specialized silent disco sets and I can only hope that tradition returns.
Yoga
It seems like every festival has a yoga class of some kind now, but don’t confuse a traditional festival yoga session for what Aura is offering this year. To help you get in touch with your inner chia Aura is going above and beyond by offering over 25 different classes and workshops turning the festival into a transformational community experience that is similar to what would be experienced at a yoga retreat.
Aura has established itself as an impressive front runner for jam based music festivals and in 2016 they want to build on their foundation with soulful experiences. With warm weather around the corner and gas prices lower than they have been in months, the time for a Florida escape couldn’t seem more appropriate.
Tickets
3-day tickets are still available for the low price of $169. Payment plans are available to make purchasing tickets easy.
