The second annual 420 music and art showcase returns this Friday evening.
Nine musical performers and a variety of artists will highlight their talent at Greenstock, which begins at 4 p.m. at the Rockwater on April 20.
The fall ages event goes off from 4 to 10 p.m., and after that time, it will be 19+ only.
This year, new and experienced musicians will come together to provide the entertainment. Easy Ruckus, Bastards and the Buzzards (from Ottawa), Leo Downey, Travis Jobin, Mellie Jane, Infinity Solstice, Alexander Overdrive, The Tippers, and DJ Three-Sixty will provide the musical backdrop to what is sure to be an eclectic evening of arts and music.
Melissa Miller, a.k.a Mellie Jane, is relatively new to performing music in Golden, but has considered herself a music lover her entire life. She plays a range of mellow music, and cover songs some people might not recognize.
“I’ve loved music for a long time, and I played the violin when I was little, and the odd pick up the guitar at a campfire and join in, but I haven’t had the courage to actually play in front of people until the last couple of years,” Miller explained. “I’ve had a guitar probably for the last 20 years, but it’s only been in the last few years I’ve actually played.”
After playing at open mics and jam nights at the Wolf’s Den and Jita’s Cafe, Miller learned to curb her nerves on stage.
As a friend once told her, after getting comfortable performing in front of people, she would begin to have more fun getting up on stage.
Miller will join a handful of other musicians from town that have grown a name for themselves.
Recently, local music shows have been organized at the legion, and in the fall at the Winty Fresh show, where Miller also played.
The hyper local shows give musicians a chance to perform together, and often highlight some out of town talent.
This year, the Bastards and the Buzzards will join the local artists from Ottawa.
The dark folk, gypsy punk duo have jammed in Golden before, and will bring the same fiddle-driven hype back to the stage.
Greenstock organizer Pablo Euphoria has been bringing artists together for a while.
He hosts one of the weekly jam nights, organized the last 420 show, and the Winty Fresh show in the fall.
“He’s just so passionate about it, and he’s so supportive of everyone,” Miller said. “He works really hard at putting these events together, and it’s good.”
Euphoria, like others in the community, has pushed musicians and brought them together to perform music.
“With events like Greenstock, it’s not just an open mic or an arts show. It’s a collaborative effort to keep the arts, music, and culture scene alive and present,” adds Euphoria. “It’s a platform to bring musicians and artists to the next level; a way to encourage people to bring their passionate hobbies up into their A-game.”
