Bonnaroo Curators Announce Virtual Roo-Ality
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has officially announced a Virtual Roo-Ality experience for all the die-hard ‘Roovians who have been heartbroken over missing the annual festival in Manchester, Tennessee. During the peak of festival cancellations in early 2020, Bonnaroo curators originally moved the festival to September 24-27 before being forced to cancel the event all together due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Curators at Bonnaroo couldn’t bare the thought of leaving the ‘Roovian community without something to get them up off the couch and groovin’ so now the organizers will be hosting a three-night broadcast completely free on YouTube. This broadcast will feature a collection of performances from the Bonnaroo Archives mixed with special appearances by Action Bronson, Big Gigantic, Laura Jane Grace, Hayley Williams, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and more! On top of this stacked line up for the weekend, Virtual Roo-Ality will be accepting donations to support a variety of causes, offering various virtual activities, and selling some limited-edition merch for the event online.
The full experience will be free all weekend through YouTube, but the curators at Bonnaroo will be taking donations to support Bonnaroo Works Fund, HeadCount.Org, and ACLU. The Bonnarooo Works Fund was created so curators at Bonnaroo can do their part to change the world. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was created for the festival and through the genorosity and support of the fans, the BWF community is able to donate money to other nonprofit organizations to do their part to help communities thrive all over the world. Since the founding of the BWF community in 2009, Bonnaroo and BWF have awarded $7 million dollars to over 100 deserving organizations world wide. The Bonnaroo Works Fund will be donating to the ACLU and HeadCount.Org once the weekend concludes.
Throughout the weekend other activities will be broadcasted in between the music to give fans the true music festival experience. Virtual Roo-Ality attendees will have the opportunity to get groovy with Robe & Rage dance parties and dog dance parties hosted by Tito’s Vodka. Hayley Williams will be hosting her Sanctuary of Self Love to hold engaging talks about health, wellness, and creativity. Bacardi will also be hosting cocktail tutorials throughout the weekend to raise money for independent theaters during this time where we need to find any means possible to save our local independent venues and theaters. Virtual attendees will also have the opportunity to share their funniest Bonnaroo story for a chance to win the Bonnaroo Campfire Tales Contest. More information and exact times for the Virtual Roo-ality activities will be rolling out soon with the official schedule for the weekend.
If you’re looking to gear up for the weekend and turn this shindig into your own personal festival, Bonnaroo has some pretty sweet limited-edition merch available on their website to commemorate this years virtual event. As always, Bonnaroo has released a limited-edition Roo-Ality Event poster and a limited-edition lapel pin so snag those while you still can! If you’re looking to go all out - maybe camp in your back yard and live stream the event from your tent - you can even snag a commemorate 2020 package that comes with the official Virtual Roo-Ality 2020 Bandana and Festival Wristband. Bonus points to you if you can convince a family member to check your wristband and your backpack at the door. If you tune in for this year’s virtual event, be sure to drop a donation for one of the rad nonprofit organizations to show your support for this stellar community that has put together a next level virtual experience for ‘Roovians around the world. Until we reunite in the real world - wear a mask, wash your hands, and we can wait to see you at home on the farm again soon.
