Feeling the peace.

    Joining the happily stuffed list of Chippewa Valley summer festivals is Music for Peace. After last year’s successful debut, the Menomonie festival, like others this season, raises funds for a good cause. The Red Cedar Peace Initiative works toward peace “within ourselves, families, communities, nations, and the whole natural world.” So add a summer-capping day full of art, local support, good eats & jamming, and it makes for one holistic hippie happening. Music for Peace’s organizer Keith Bhutadaya had more than music on the mind when he conceived it. “With this event I wanted to mix music with a humanitarian cause.” He designed the festival in order to have free admission, so everyone can enjoy it. In turn, the event is a natural community builder connecting people of all financial situations. Lisa Duffy agrees, “Last year’s festival really brought our community together in a unique way. People danced, hula hoped, and celebrated peace. … Our family is so excited to join in the fun again this year!” The lineup consists of the toe-wigglin’ Magic Mama, Roster McCabe, Brian Bethke, Evergreen Grass Band, The TopHatCats, Barefoot Symphony, and The Laces. There aren’t many reasons not to go, plus you only have to go 1/61 as far as those heading to some festival near Portland.

    Music for Peace Festival • Aug. 30 • Wilson Park, 621 Wilson Ave., Menomonie • 11am to 10pm • FREE • 309-8046 • www.myspace.com/musicforpeacewi