From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Langerado Music Festival

Markham Park will be jam-packed with jam bands like The String Cheese Incident, Spearhead and Mofro.

by Dan Sweeney

March 9 2005

Now in its third year, the Langerado Music Festival could have the sort of impact that puts it on the national map, making it a destination for spring breakers, traveling hippies and anyone else looking for good times, cool bands and warm sun in the middle of March. Over the past few years, the festival has progressed almost exactly as promoter Ethan Schwartz had hoped -- nay, even as he has foreseen. Although Schwartz took a big risk when he started the promotions company South Florida Jams, believing in an audience whose existence was only hinted at by the large turnout for shows by the Grateful Dead tribute band Crazy Fingers, his foresight, business acumen and chutzpah can no longer be doubted.

"The past two years, 30 percent of our ticket holders were from out of state," Schwartz notes. "We're on track this year to do the same. … From the looks of things, we may have 10,000 people."

That would be a massive increase from last year's festival at Young Circle Park in Hollywood, which drew 4,500 concertgoers. The year before that, 3,500 people showed up to the Fort Lauderdale Stadium Festival Grounds. This year's show at Markham Park will be the first time Langerado can boast two days of entertainment. With The String Cheese Incident headlining both days (see story) and a lineup heavy on other improvisational acts, Schwartz is satisfied with this year's event -- though he does have a few unfulfilled dreams.

"I've been trying to get Ween for three years," he says with noticeable disappointment. "And I'd love to have the Disco Biscuits, but I just couldn't make it happen. We were pushing hard for Beck and Wilco. Modest Mouse was on our short list. There were a few bands less well-known -- Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor -- but there's not enough hours in a day, not enough stages."

This year's fest will include notables such as Medeski, Martin and Wood (see story); Toots and the Maytals; Michael Franti and Spearhead; Donavon Frankenreiter (see story); and Mofro, the Florida act that is also the only band to play all three years of the festival. Despite the weighty jam influence on the lineup, Schwartz has seen interest from music fans of all types.

"We handed out fliers after the Bright Eyes show, and seeing that response was great," he says. "And it's just as good across the country, if not better. Who wouldn't want to come down to Florida when it's 78 degrees, and up there it's 40s and blizzards? I mean, we've got VIP orders on international delivery."

With possibly more than twice the turnout of previous years, this year's Langerado will all but ensure future editions of the festival and a healthy impresario career for Schwartz. "I'm really lucky to be able to do what I do," he says. "That first year, when I looked out and there were 3,500 people out there, it was the greatest feeling."

The Langerado Music Festival will take place 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, in Sunrise. Tickets cost $45-$95. Call 800/594-8499 or visit www.langerado.com.