RoSfest 2013

Thriving 'RoSfest' International Progressive Rock Festival
to grace Gettysburg's Majestic Theater Stage during May

Gettysburg, PA , February 18, 2012 – The mention of Gettysburg, PA most often brings visions of a time when America was rife with civil division and, since then, generations of remembrance. The site where the United States of America will host sesquicentennial ceremonies to mark 150 years since the Battle of Gettysburg will also play host to an event that is best known for its international collaboration and peaceful harmony. It may surprise mid-state Pennsylvania residents and visitors to know that Gettysburg is known by the international progressive rock community as home base for one of the finest musical events in the world. The annual three-day Rites of Spring Festival, or more commonly known as "RoSfest," attracts musicians, producers and--of course--devoted fans who often ignore international timelines to converse at all hours on the clock and personally engage in support of a common musical passion: the genre of progressive rock.

Now in its tenth year and fueled by a tenacious fan base that is best known for its loyalty to the complex sounds of 'prog rock,' RoSfest will come alive at Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater Performing Arts Center during the weekend of May 3-5, 2013. Globally-renowned progressive rock bands will hail from six countries. Nearly 1,000 RoSfest patrons will travel from at least seven different countries to join the seated audience.

“Our managers are doing their best to brush up or learn at least five different spoken languages other than English prior to May," joked George Roldan, RoSfest's founder and producer. "Progressive rock music brings together a multitude of world cultures. But this year--on RoSfest's tenth anniversary--the breadth of intercontinental live performances and related talent is unsurpassed. We'll have Japanese, Polish, Italian, Swedish, Canadian and American performing artists on the beautiful Majestic Theatre stage," added Roldan. "We're particularly interested in showcasing fresh new bands alongside veterans of the genre in our lineup," added Roldan. “Our mission has always been to connect people to this musical genre and create new fans. Over the past decade, we are proud to have gained the confidence of a multinational audience. If you're a progressive rock fan, RoSfest is becoming a must-attend event, regardless of travel time from your town and motherland."

"RoSfest's musicians, producers and fans have always been tightly aligned to the music. The expansion of progressive-rock focused internet radio stations along with the advent of niche record producers are helping to foster growth in the genre's international marketing space. Geographic reach has become less of an issue for bands that were limited in exposure prior to broad acceptance and adoption of digital channels that can be accessed through the internet. Often-pricey marketing strategies are unattainable for some bands, but RoSfest is among the true gem events that powerfully showcase progressive rock 'as one collective genre.' Everyone buys music at this event, but the festival also creates careers. Progressive rock's collective fan base is growing because the fans connect on the internet and then want to view and support live performances together," said Erling Midtstue of Oslo, Norway, a longtime patron of RoSfest who will travel to the United States in May to join the audience.

The annual RoSfest event is particularly important to the local economy, too, touted local organizers.

"We are thrilled to once again be the host venue for the RoSfest international event. Few residents might realize that this is a very large event and it continues to grow each year," said Jeffrey Gabel, executive founding director of the Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater Performing Arts Center. "RoSfest may have a niche audience of progressive rock fans, but we're drawing patrons and artists from as far away as Asia. We estimate that RoSfest will draw tens of thousands of dollars to the local economy during a time when tourism is not in peak season. In an isolated sense, just consider the impact of nearly 800 hotel rooms booked for three days. Downtown restaurants and retailers typically see high volume from these RoSfest patrons because their primary interest is our Majestic stage. Retailers that located within walking distance of the theatre are particularly pleased with RoSfest," added Gabel.

Information and ticket sales to RoSfest are available through the festival's website: www.rosfest.com

Presented in Gettysburg, PA during the first weekend in May each year, the Rites of Spring Festival (RoSfest) is a three-day live music production held at the Majestic Theater Performing Arts Center that brings together a global audience of progressive rock music artists, fans, producers, technical staff, volunteers and vendors who collectively support live performance and the genre of progressive rock. The mission of RoSfest is to connect fans of progressive rock music and create new fans of the genre.

Executive Producer and Founder
George Roldan
rosfest@gmail.com

Media Inquiries
Rob Rutz, media outreach volunteer
2lbs1lb@gmail.com

Copyright © 2013 The Rites of Spring Festival. All Rights Reserved.