RoSfest has been a treasure in the progressive rock world for the last 17 years and it has been my privilege to produce and host one of the best progressive rock music festivals in the world, but RoSfest will officially end its 16-year run in 2020. Dedicated to delivering the highest level of talent, production, and timing is central to what RoSfest represented; an outlet for a niche genre called Progressive Rock that provided a venue for new up and coming artists from around the globe.
Running a music festival can be breathtakingly rewarding, but also quite expensive due to production, insurance, venue rental, hotel rental, staff accommodations, band expenses, vehicle rentals, etc. Additionally, the US government has made it harder and harder to acquire permits for working artists from around the world to perform in the US. Increasing artist permit requirements and fees makes it almost impossible for young bands to travel abroad. RoSfest has been a labor of love but has been struggling financially for years and can’t survive another “Covid” crisis. Unfortunately, we are not able to keep operating the festival at a loss.
On a personal note, I feel so lucky to have been part of this organization. To work with such an incredible staff and dedicated volunteers and to interact with the best Progressive audiophiles in the world. RoSfest has been magical and could not have existed without YOU…. the best and most supportive audience anyone could hope for. Without such an incredible community, RoSfest would not have been possible. I am so thankful for all of your support and dedication throughout our festival years.
RoSfest will continue its core mission to support the art of Progressive Rock and may surprise you (at some point) with a special concert in the future. But for now, with tearful heartfelt thanks from all of us at RoSfest, it’s been an honor to interact with such accomplished and inspiring musicians and music lovers in the progressive rock community.
In the words of RoSfest’s production manager, Kevin Madrishin, “We did it right!” George Roldan – Roldan Entertainment
We have just learned of the tragic news that Roy Strattman of Little Atlas has passed away. We send our condolences love and respect to the family, friends, and fans, from all of us at Power of Prog
According to a statement by Little Atlas It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share some terrible news. Roy Strattman, our friend, our guitarist, our musical brother, has passed away. Many of you knew of the assault he survived a few years ago. He was slowly recovering, but some injuries are just too hard to overcome, no matter how strong a spirit. He leaves behind a legacy of love and music. We love you forever, Roy. Here’s his last, magnificent performance at the Rites of Spring Festival where he shared his debut solo album in its entirety:
All songs are from the Album: Lie of the Beholder (10T Records), except “Echoes”, by Pink Floyd
All songs copyright Roy Strattman (2014). Music and Lyrics by Roy Strattman
Mixed By Rik Bigai Audio Recorded by Mike Potter Video Editing by Steve Katsikas
Video Recording: Zeitgeist Media LLC
Camera operators: Adele Schmidt Andy Evans José Zegarra Holder Sharon Rudolph
Strattman is: Roy Strattman: Lead vocals, lead guitar Eric Haugen: Electric guitar Steve Katsikas, Keyboards, saxophone, percussion, vocals Rik Bigai: Bass Mark Whobrey: Drums
According to a statement on gofundme created October 4, 2017 by Roys Brother
Roy was traveling to attend a wedding with his girlfriend when he was brutally attacked by several men he doesn’t know in a downtown restaurant setting. There was no fight; there was no escalation. This was a random crime that could have happened to anyone, and unfortunately for Roy, it happened to him. (Please note we are unable to provide details about the location due to the ongoing investigation, but we will release details once all perpetrators are behind bars.)
The Rites of Spring festival aka RoSfest is an annual progressive rock festival which takes place at the end of April or in early May. Established in 2004, the festival was held at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania until 2007, and then moved to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania for 2008 and 2009. In 2010, the festival moved to the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA. where it celebrated its15th Anniversary throughout the weekend of May 4th, 5th, and 6th. 2018. On the last day of the festival, George Roldan announced that Polish Prog Metal Band “Riverside” will be one of many bands that will grace RoSfest in 2019.
May 21 just 14 days after the festival George Roland makes an announcement that RoSfest will be relocating to Sunny Florida for the No. 16, here is a posting from the official website.
The RoSfest community is very important to me on so many levels and my long-term goal is to keep RoSfest going for as long as we can in order to benefit the “progressive music family” as a whole for both musicians and Prog music lovers alike. The Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA has been a memorable host to us for the past eight years, but even though our reputation continues to grow as the best North America Progressive Rock Festival, our audience attendance has been slowly declining.
As many of you are aware, we recently relocated to Sarasota, Florida. Our decision in selecting this location was not only because of its beauty, beaches, arts, and entertainment but because we believe Sarasota would make the perfect location for RoSfest to continue to survive and grow. Besides having an incredibly approachable downtown social area with blocks of restaurants, bars, hotels, Saturday morning Farmer’s Market, and shops that are bordered by Parks on the Sarasota Bay, Sarasota is home to the SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE offering an incredible acoustic experience residing in a $20 Million renovated theater. Our new home theater is in WALKING DISTANCE to hotels, restaurants, shops, and parks surrounded by views of the Gulf.
There are many additional attractions that people from all over the world visit Sarasota as a destination vacation spot for such as Siesta Key Beach, “Rated as the #1 Beach in the USA, 2017”, Selby Botanical Gardens, The Ringling Museums and Grounds, The Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium, the Art Center Sarasota, The Circus Arts Conservatory, Longwood Key, St. Armands Circle, and Lido Key for Kayaking the Mangroves or the Bay. In the coming weeks, we will share additional information about Sarasota that will include maps, photos, videos, and details to help familiarize everyone with the area. New host hotels will be designated and after hour parties will continue, but all within walking distance as most of you have requested.
I’m aware that this news may upset some of our supporters, but please understand that in order for RoSfest to survive, we’re hopeful that our RoSfest family will give Sarasota a chance so that we can keep bringing you the best that progressive music has to offer!
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