Music Stage Community Orgs Events
Nebula Fest Returns With A Cosmic Expansion, New Regional Music Acts
three years and onward, the mental-health fundraiser welcomes new sponsorship and expanded sound to benefit local resources
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Measha Vieth |
When asked about the mission of Nebula Fest, the festival he created, Jeremy Goss replied with an answer which has rang true since the event’s inception three years ago: “The music is designed to bring everybody together. One thing, one show, one reason.”
Nebula Fest Volume Three will make its return to the Chippewa Valley on Friday, Oct. 17. The festival will be held at its familiar venue, The Brickhouse Pub & Grub (2233 Birch St., Eau Claire).
If its first year focused on musical curation and introducing the event's overall mission to attendees — and the second refined Goss's expanded promotional strategies — the third year aims to significantly broaden Nebula Fest’s reach, both in fundraising and audience engagement across new genres.
“This year, I want to mix (Nebula Fest) up with different local bands, to make sure that everybody’s music taste is attended to,” Goss said.
Beyond the experience of watching your favorite local artists live, the festival carries on the tradition to raise awareness — and funds — for mental health initiatives and resources in the city. The event’s fundraising efforts continue to support the regional chapter of The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chippewa Valley, in an attempt to honor the enduring legacies of musicians and community members who have since passed on.
“I want to relate to each individual that attends that event, and maybe the loss that they had in their life to mental illness,” Goss said. “I wanted (Nebula Fest) to mean something to people.”
Goss, with the help of his connections in the local — and regional — rock and punk artists, has secured a bill featuring a new array of groups from his mighty home state. The night will begin at 6:30pm with Stock & Jade, followed by Far From Faith, Wasp Doctor, ValleyKil, and Stare Across, completing the night with Dead Amsterdam of La Crosse.
“The music is designed to bring everybody together. One thing, one show, one reason.”
Jeremy goss
founder, nebula fest
This year, Goss — with the support of volunteers and friends of the Nebula Fest — will transition from a behind-the-scenes role, where he previously managed sound and supported each live act, to a more public-facing position.
His external-facing presence will allow Goss to engage with attendees — along with the festival's expanding list of 10-plus sponsors — and showcase the clear vision in sight for Nebula Fest’s regional impact moving forward, he added.
Gold Snake Tattoo, Quality Exteriors, Goss Appliance, Mid-West Family Eau Claire, and Stucky Chiropractic Center are just a few of the area sponsors on board for the mental health and music cause, redirecting funds back to the performing artists and local mental health resources.
Just as a nebula embodies the idea of cosmic expansion, Nebula Fest aims to cultivate emerging talent in the Chippewa Valley, and nurture the possibility of bringing in more regional — and even national — creative voices who align with the cause and expand donation efforts to other resources with a mental health tie.
A $10 minimum donation is encouraged at Nebula Fest to benefit the NAMI chapter of the Chippewa Valley. All funds will go directly towards individual counseling, expanded advocacy efforts, and new programming for folks in need.
Nebula Fest Volume Three will begin at 6:30pm on Oct. 17 at the Brickhouse Pub & Grub (2233 Birch St.) in Eau Claire. To learn more about the festival’s cause and the list of performing artists and sponsors, visit the event Facebook page online.
