Harvest Fest 2025

 In marked contrast to dismal rainy weather that plagued every weekend from early spring into summer, and which drove June’s Backyard Boogaloo indoors for not a fail, but a save, last weekend of September brought gorgeous early fall weather for Harvest Fest 2025. Both days were planned in case of inclement conditions, but it turned into a weekend-long music and art festival. Improvements to Studio 455 grounds include luxurious new grass turf where not long ago only was mud, a rugged portico for food service and sound garden, outdoor power wiring, lighting platform. Shortly after noon folks began arriving at Studio 455 for live music and good food with friends and neighbors.



Mike Bennett opened the music program early Saturday afternoon with his hand-made balafon on which he interprets West African music. His style blends rhythm and melody into an irresistibly bouncy beat.

Rio Bisbee.Band followed with signature rock pointillism, introducing new Bisbees Trudi and Lenette on vocals. More cars and loud motorcycles arrived. Loud bikes save lives!

Eric Meyer accompanied himself on 6-string guitar, sharing some of his intriguingly obscure original compositions about beauty and Love.

Selim Ucar was next. Selim played original compositions, as well as traditional Turkish folksongs on his electric saz, modernized Turkish folk instrument. By request, Selim played his Sri Kishiri, eponymous ballad celebrating his hometown in Western Turkey.

Dangerous Dan and the Houserockers were Saturday’s evening performance. Dan is custodian of a wealth of knowledge about the Blues, iconic Americana. He plays well-known blues favorites on a variety of what he calls “cigar box” guitars, their open tunings giving his music an unique sound. Eric Hartman wailed on blues harp, Yo provided a solid foundation on bass with Steve sitting in on drums.

Bisbees came home late from their evening gig, joined residual revelers around the fire nibbling remains of the country feast put on by Barb and her international crew.  It was just cool enough to make it cozy by the fire. No skeeters! Folks drifted off as the fire died down to glowing embers. What a fabulous day for a music festival!

Sunday dawned yet another perfect day for outdoor festivities, with clear skies, warm temperatures, and light wind. A number of Saturday’s music lovers returned to Studio 455 for a second day of live music, plus new visitors who had heard about the show.

Elie and Bliss began Sunday‘s program singing sweet songs of innocent Love accompanying themselves with acoustic and electric guitars

Tim Seeley followed with solid 6-string guitar work and all original folksongs of more nuanced reflections on human relations.

The Somes Sound took the stage late afternoon and rocked the joint with rollicking rock-a-billy style versions of favorite pop hits.

Mark Bluesboy blew harp with Rio Bisbee.Band, winding up the weekend’s musical program with more upbeat, offbeat original rock ‘n roll.

Late evening the sound garden shut down. Stalwarts gathered around the fire for impromptu acoustic serenade with guest Channing playing his lovely Martin concert guitar. Midnight fire dwindled, folks toddled off home with refrains of great local music in their sleepy heads. Thanks for coming!

In the Woodstock tradition, half a million (almost) kids got together at Harvest Fest 2025 for a weekend of fun and music, and nothing but fun and music! A splendid time was had by all!

Don’t go away! By popular demand, Studio 455 will present more outdoor music festivals in 2026, plus indoor performances during winter months. Go riobisbee.band for upcoming events, music, and much more.

Op-hoy!

Yobassman