Vol. 6: The Illustrious New York City Wizard Rock Festival

Already, I have heard about and even witnessed people who are terrified about missing the New York City Wizard Rock Festival because it’s sold out. Can’t say I don’t blame them! If I were able to attend, I probably would be in the same state of fear, hoping I could get to the venue early enough to garner a ticket at the door. Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about it. Unfortunately, I can’t make it at all. But for those who have already purchased their tickets and made their plans… You are in for a treat! I had the opportunity to get a bit of info out of Stacy Pisani (aka Swish and Flick), the lead organizer for this event, and it sounds phenomenal!

What’s NYCWF?

Amazing good times! That much is for sure. The official site says it’s “an incredible event for fans of the Harry Potter book series and for lovers of independent music. New York will host its first ever music festival featuring bands from the Wizard Rock community.” First and foremost, I know what you want – a list of the bands playing. I am happy to oblige!

• Draco and the Malfoys
• The Remus Lupins
• The Whomping Willows
• Swish and Flick
• Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls
• Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills
• Celestial Warmbottom
• DJ Luna Lovegood
• The Butterbeer Experience
• The Princess of Hogwarts
• The Hungarian Horntails
• The Cedric Diggorys/The Greybacks
• Lauren of the The Moaning Myrtles
• Split Seven Ways/Malfoy Manor/Pansy and the Gossip Queens
• Fred and George: The Band
• Nagini

The lineup is a serious business, if you couldn’t tell. Stacy has managed something absolutely astonishing in getting this huge number of amazing bands to play her event. What’s more, Zoe (Split Seven Ways, etc.) is from the UK, for those who didn’t know. Zoe has become something of a staple UK Wrocker in the US. She played at Wrockstock and now the NYCWF. Impressive!

In addition to the music, there will be a vendor and arts area set up. In this area will be face painting, henna tattooing, magical portraits, Ray Bari Pizza, Wizard Ties, and a balloon conjurer. Additionally, in Artist’s Alley will be a pair of comic artists: Dave Roman and John Green.

Why NYCWF?

“I wanted to put this festival together because I needed to feel connected with other wizard rock fans. When I first started planning it, I didn’t know I was going to Wrock Chicago, so I thought I would never get the chance to experience a big wrock show. I wanted to fill that void, both in myself and in the local HP community. I wanted to feel what others felt at Wrockstock, and I wanted to do it at home amongst my friends and family,” Stacy informed me.

There are a ton of Harry Potter and Wizard Rock fans who feel the same way. They worry that there are no Wrock shows near them, that they can’t afford to attend these big events – but the time has come that those who can make it to the East Coast have a champion. It’s all pretty exciting, really!

And to be sure, organizing this event has been a huge undertaking. Stacy told me that “New York City is a very tough place to put on an event of this scale. This has become my passion. I’ve been working on it almost every day since December 2007.” To add to this, she has a group of a dozen dedicated friends working with her to make this happen. They are all detail-oriented and as professional as they come. They have taken to calling themselves The Order of the Festival. I love it!

And now to wrap things up: I asked Stacy if we can look forward to this being an annual event. “It really depends on how successful we are. If we have any funds (or energy) to do it again, then maybe 2009.” So this is what I ask of my readers who are attending: make it wrock so hard and so loud that they feel the only option is to make it happen in 2009! Give the rest of us a chance to experience the NYC Wizard Rock Festival!

As for Stacy, she had one more thing she asked of me in writing this column: “I’d like to shout-out The Order of the Festival:

Deanna Benfante
Olivia Garcia
Thom Kulesa
Jenna Lawrence
Liz Lewis
Kath McIntosh
Jackie Medina
Jessica Mercado
Michelle Parlato
Mackenzie Reid
Jonathon Rosenthal
Debbie Schneider

And a shout-out to our consultants: Marci Morimoto and Paul Liaw”

Before I sign off, as usual, I am always looking forward to hearing more about upcoming events, Wrockers, or more from all of you! Look forward to hearing about some international Wizard Rock news next time!

‘Til next time,

Dinah Saur

Previous editions of Straight from the Dinah Saur’s Mouth are available here. You can contact Dinah via email at WrockDinahSaur@gmail.com