Rest Fest Relocates to Troy

With the Historic Albany Foundation’s recent decision to return the ownership of the former St. Joseph Church to the City of Albany, more than a few music fans around Nippertown were left to wonder what might happen to the annual Restoration Festival (also known simply as Rest Fest), which has helped to raise funds for the building.

And now we know…

After three years at St. Joe’s, the folks from festival organizers B3nson Records will be moving Rest Fest across the Hudson, presenting a two-day festival at the Contemporary Artists Center at Woodside, a former church in Troy. The fest will be held on Friday & Saturday, September 6 & 7.

“While we are sad to say goodbye to St. Joe’s after it being our home for three years, there is no doubt that the new location is sending a surge of energy and excitement through our ranks,” representatives of B3nson Records wrote in a press release.

The CAC is a non-profit arts organization which has set up shop at the historic Woodside Church and Chapel in Troy to serve as a sustainable incubator for contemporary artists. Its international artist residency program opened in 2009, and the grand opening of its performance and exhibition space is scheduled for May, 2014.

“The folks at CAC Woodside have been kind enough to let us sneak in there and use their space prior to their official opening to continue the mission of Rest Fest to showcase local musicians, culture, architecture and community,” organizers posted on the Rest Fest website last night. “Needless to say, we are very very excited.”

Twenty-five percent of the net proceeds fo the fest will go to CAC, Woodside to help with the final stages of the building’s restoration.

Tickets will be available later this month at a special early bird rate, and band announcements should begin to roll out shortly, as well. You can sign up on the fest’s mailing list to get first dibs on all tickets, band announcements and other Rest Fest info.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING FESTIVALS FOR 2013:
Mountain Jam @ Hunter Mountain, Hunter, 6/6-9/13
Saratoga ArtsFest @ various locations, Saratoga Springs, 6/6-9/13
Art On Lark @ Lark Street, Albany, 6/8/13 (FREE)
Rhythm On the Ridge @ Maple Ski Ridge, Rotterdam, 6/8-9/13
Capital Pride Festival @ Washington Park, Albany, 6/9/13 (FREE)
A Taste of Country Music Festival @ Hunter Mountain, Hunter, 6/13-15/13
River Street Festival @ River Street, Troy, 6/15/13 (FREE)
Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival @ Croton Point Park, Croton-On-Hudson, 6/15-16/13
Echo Music Festival @ Maple Ski Ridge, Rotterdam, 6/21/13
Solid Sound Festival @ MASS MoCA, North Adams, 6/21-23/13
Old Songs Festival @ Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, 6/28-30/13
Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival @ SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 6/29-30/13
Fourth of July Celebration @ the Empire State Plaza, Albany, 7/4/13 (FREE)
GE Kids’ Day @ the Empire State Plaza, Albany, 7/7/13 (FREE)
CountryFest @ Schaghticoke Fairgrounds, Schaghticoke, 7/13/13
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival @ Walsh Farm, Oak Hill, 7/18-21/13
Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, 7/20/13
African American Family Day @ the Empire State Plaza, Albany, 8/3/13 (FREE)
The Big Up @ Hemlock Hollow Farm, Clavarack, 8/8-10/13
New York State Food Festival @ the Empire State Plaza, Albany, 8/14/13 (FREE)
Hispanic Heritage Celebration @ the Empire State Plaza, 9/14/13 (FREE)
FreshGrass Festival @ MASS MoCA, North Adams, 9/20-22/13