Cultivora

Ca·tal·pa /kəˈtalpə/ - noun: 1. A trumpet-shaped flowering plant native to North American and eastern Asia; more commonly known as 2. A unique and exciting music-arts festival, featuring stellar music, art installations, and onsite marriages to yourself; or 3. Potentially the best two days of your life.

Soon to blossom as a favorite in the hearts of festivalgoers, the first ever Catalpa Music Festival is looking to pioneer New York's festival scene. Taking place on the beautiful Randall’s Island Park along the East River in New York, the festival has a heavy emphasis on site artistry, interactive experiences, and experimentation. More than just a music fest, the event will host many large sculptural art installations, tastes of the city's most beloved eateries, and interactive features such as a Silent Disco. For those overcome by the great music and good vibes, Catalpa will conduct onsite marriages (sham or legitimate) in their 60ft inflatable 'Church of Sham.' In between your favorite sets, the full time pimp pastor will be accepting straight, gay, three-way, or even group marriage proposals. The event is striving to go beyond the ordinary by providing attendees with a unique and aesthetically radical experience. Most important during the weekend of festivities is of course the music. Catalpa will feature over 40 performers from a variety of genres including Blues, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Reggae, and Indie. With some of the biggest music names in the industry, this festival's inauguration is sure to hold a lasting status in the music festival community.

Festival Line Up

SATURDAY, JULY 28
The Black Keys, TV on the Radio, Umphrey's McGee, Hercules and Love Affair, Zola Jesus, Felix Da Housecat, The Sheepdogs, Fort Atlantic, The Demos, The Aviation Orange, My Pet Dragon, JDH & Dave P

SUNDAY, JULY 29
Snoop Dogg, Girl Talk, Matt and Kim, A$AP Rocky, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, City and Color, AraabMUZIK, Dirty Heads, Hook n'Sling, The Big Pink, Polish Ambassador, Aunt Martha, Hellfire Machina, The Airplane Boys

Photo: Snoop Dogg performing at VooDoo Festival 2011 in New Orleans, by Oliver Correa

• How do I get to and from the festival?
• How do I get around during the event?
• What time does it start and end?
• Are there any prohibited items?
• Can I bring outside food and/or drink?
• Will there be food sold at the event?
• Will there be alcohol sold at the event?
• What do I need to know about money?
• What will the weather be like?
• What should I wear?
• What should I bring?
• Anything else I need to know?

• How do I get to and from the festival?

  Ferries will travel to and from Randall’s Island Park throughout both days of Catalpa approximately every 10 minutes. Departures will take place from the East 35th Street Ferry Landing (East 35th Street at the FDR). Ferry tickets to Catalpa must be pre-bought; it'll cost you $35 for a 2-day return ferry pass. You will not be able to buy Ferry tickets at the Ferry Landing for the trip to Randall’s Island, but, if they haven't sold out, you will be able to buy return tickets the day of the event at the info booth and box-office in the festivalgrounds.
  
  Shuttle buses will travel non-stop to and from Randall’s Island Park throughout both days of Catalpa. They will leave from and return to 3rd Avenue between 124th & 125th Street. The bus stop is located right beside the 125th St. subway station to which the 4, 5, and 6 trains travel to. Shuttle Bus passes can be bought online, at the Shuttle Bus departure point, and at the Info Booth and Box Office within the festival. It is $20 for a 2-day return shuttle pass.
  
  If you plan to drive, please take note that there is very limited parking on the island and you must purchase a parking pass as an add-on option to your festival ticket. One parking pass is required per vehicle, not per passenger. Keep in mind that there is no overnight parking or tailgating allowed on the island. The festival provides driving directions from Manhattan, Long Island, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.
  
  If you're up for a nice stroll, you can alternatively get to the festival by walking across the footbridge from E. 103rd St. or the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge from Manhattan onto Randall’s Island Park during summer daylight hours (6am-9pm). Both routes take about 20-25 minutes to walk from the Manhattan side of the footbridge to the festival entrance. Bicycles are not allowed on the ferry or buses, but if you bike across the bridge, you can park your bike south of the Pedestrian Walkway near the Ferry Landing on Randall’s Island. To find your way back, just follow the signs from the main festival entrance.

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• How do I get around during the event?

  You will need to walk to get around the festival grounds, but the park is quite small and has a flat, even terrain so getting between stages is quick and easy. A detailed festival map will be posted as the event approaches.
  

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• What time does it start and end?

  The festival gates open at 12:30pm both days, and the music runs from 1-11pm.

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• Are there any prohibited items?

  Illegal drugs, outside food and beverages, weapons or dangerous goods of any kind, large Bags or backpacks, professional video, photo, or audio recording equipment, laserpens or other projection equipment, items intended for sale or promotion, promotional materials of any kind, and pets or any other animals are not permitted within the Catalpa festival site. All festival goers will be screened prior to festival entry.
  

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• Can I bring outside food and/or drink?

  Except for factory sealed water bottles (up to two 1-liter bottles per person), no outside food or drinks are permitted.

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• Will there be food sold at the event?

  Yes, there will be a wide variety of food options available supplied by some of NYC's best eateries.

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• Will there be alcohol sold at the event?

  Yes, alcoholic drinks (including both beer and liquor) will be available for purchase inside the festivalgrounds. Just be sure to bring proper identification if you want to drink.

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• What do I need to know about money?

  Only some vendors will accept credit cards, but most will be cash-only. So bring sufficient cash to last you the day or a debit card to use at one of their ATMs.

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• What will the weather be like?

  The weather in late July in New York is hot and humid. During the day, temperatures will be in the high 80°s (25-32°C). At night temperatures may drop a little, but it's summer, so it'll still be warm enough that you won't need anything more than just another light layer, if that.
  

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• What should I wear?

  Not only will it be hot because it's the middle of Summer, but standing directly under the sun all day separate from that oh so precious air-conditioning makes it that much more unbearable - dress appropriately for sweaty, sweltering heat. Sun dresses, shorts, and tank tops will be ideal. Hats too for that extra sun coverage. Also, we recommend sneakers or close-toed shoes over flip flops for extra protection in big crowds and comfort standing all day.
  

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• What should I bring?

  Your ticket, cash (or card to use the ATMs), and a form of identification if you plan on drinking are the three most important things to bring. Another must is sunscreen; the second day of the festival will be much less pleasant if you're suffering from a burn. To make sure you stay hydrated, bring (up to) two sealed water bottles or an empty water bottle/camelpack that you can refill for free. Randall's Island is great for relaxing and soaking in the rays, so bring a picnic-style blanket if you want to hang out rather than rock out. Also, bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer as the portable toilets often run out.
  

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• Anything else I need to know?

  In addition to a sick lineup, the festival features other activities to keep you entertained during lags in your schedule. Check out the North American debut of 'The Afterburner' (it will literally be on fire), get (sham) married in the inflatable church, get your groove on (silently) in the Silent Disco Tent, chill out at the High Times Reggae Stage, Explore the onsite art installations, and taste some of the most unique and delicious NYC eateries.
  

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