Deafstock Music Event Q/A

There is a Deafstock Music Festival on April 24-27 in Brooksville, Florida. The founders are David Ritchey and Dan Cook. I asked the Deafstock team a few questions and here are comments from Dan Cook and Deafstock Vice President Tony Maucere.  

(Begin interview)

Alex: Hello! Can you describe the meaning behind the term, “Deafstock” and the sign?

Dan Cook: Hello, Alex! Thank you for having me on your show again. We talked about two years ago for my show, Signastic. It’s still running and on tour. Anyways, I’m now the president of Deafstock. I want to hold off on explaining the word and the sign. The important thing here is to thank David Ritchey, who is our CEO and founder of Deafstock. He came to me two years ago and talked about starting a deaf-related concert weekend. I was like, “A deaf concert weekend? Wow.” If you remember, in 1969, there was the Woodstock event in New York. In 1999, I think, it was Woodstock #1. And for 26 years after that, there has been nothing until Deafstock! Where will it be? In Florida. Brooksville specifically. When? April 24-27. It’s two months from now. It’s about an hour north of Tampa. There will be different bands, interpreters, and everything. David Ritchey wants to start “AWOL,” which stands for “All Walks of Life.” It doesn’t mean only Deaf people, but to include Deaf, hearing, hard-of-hearing, those with cochlear implants, wheelchairs, implants, Usher’s syndrome, BIPOC, and everyone coming together for three days. Can you imagine that? All these events. There’s also arts, games, bonfires, socializing, tents, and RVs. It’s just like Woodstock, but it’s Deafstock! Get your tickets now on www.deafstock.org. So that’s how we came up with the sign for it.

Alex: Can you explain what the events will look like?

Tony Maucere: Hello! I want to talk about what events will happen at Deafstock. It’s at a campground. There will be RVs parked. Some people choose to camp with tents. Some people prefer Airbnbs or hotels. It’s your choice. We’ll have different games like poker, cornhole tournament, bingo, disc golf (but at nighttime with lights), coffee chat in the morning, paintings, and entertainment performances by deaf performers coming from various states such as Vich, John Maucere, the Mailman, Lisa McBee. The bands are hearing and local and well-known in the Tampas area. We have agreements with them. We’ll also have the Deaf Beethoveen band coming from California. There’s a CODA coming from Connecticut who calls himself “Blast.” Also Demo from Jamaica who plays with drums. So that’s the gist of the weekend. I hope everyone comes! I hope you buy your tickets!

Alex: Do you want to add anything?

Dan Cook: Okay, one word comes up to mind: history. Woodstock became history even though the people who went there in New York didn’t realize it. That tradition lasted for over 55 years. So can you imagine what happens if you all come to Deafstock?! It will be a part of history. So come!

(End interview)

Thank you, Dan and Tony. If you’re curious about the event, you can check out their Facebook page and website. Tickets are $150 for a three-day pass or $75 for a one-day pass. 

Website: https://deafstock.org/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/deafstockinc/#