The music of the 1960s made an incredible impact on the world. It was the soundtrack for The Civil Rights Movement, antiwar demonstrations and, too, for those falling in love. After repeatedly meeting at joyful musical wakes, we of Curleyfest realized there is an urgent need for the preservation of the uniquely North American art forms: Folk and Folk Rock Music. Through events like Curleyfest, Blues & Bluegrass Workshops, Musical Instrument & Education Donation Programs and "Singalongs For Seniors", our mission is to make people aware that music can indeed change the world and heal the spirit.

What is a Curleyfest?

The first Curleyfest  in October, 2001, was a  gathering of over 20 Folk Rock legends to pay tribute to music impresario, Curley Tait.  Curley, along with his partner, the late Lorraine Blue - Mother Blue - , of Chicago's Old Town  nightclub, Mother Blues, provided a fertile creative environment for many seminal folk rock legends including:  Spanky & Our Gang, The Byrds  and  Mama Cass Elliot.  George Carlin, too, honed his early comedy routines there. 

The star studded Curleyfest 2001 featured original members of these 60's super groups: Spanky & Our Gang, The Mamas & The Papas,  The Association,  Christy Minstrels,  Flying Burrito Brothers, and HP Lovecraft.  Curleyfest has now evolved into a gathering of  invited Folk Rock performers, Singers, and Songwriters; coming together to share their music and stories. We preserve these treasures and oral histories that might otherwise be lost with  video and audio recording.   Maintaining a casual, intimate atmosphere is crucial; which is why Curleyfest  must be a semiprivate event. With a maximum capacity of five hundred people - partly comprised of  approximately eighty entertainers and their families - it is necessary it be balanced with the locals of the host town.   The recorded events will later be distributed to reach a broader audience.

Curleyfest II in '03, May 23, 24 , 25, & 26, 2003, in the picturesque  Victorian Village of Ferndale, California was highlighted by the Ginni Jam on Sunday May 25th.  Main Street, Ferndale, was to be closed off for a concert featuring many of the aforementioned performers.  Because of drizzly weather, the show was moved indoors to Curley's spacious and acoustically blessed banquet room.  Prior to the concert the musicians and  audience enjoyed hoots and mini-jams at various  Ferndale Main Street businesses.  The days prior to the Ginni Jam were filled with formal and informal film, recording, workshops, and jam sessions.