BIFF To Launch Music Festival
In keeping with a philosophy of offering something for every taste, The Beloit International Film Festival has announced that it will launch a major new festival program this February: BIFF + MUSIC.
BIFF + MUSIC will offer audiences an opportunity to hear new bands and singer songwriters on three stages in downtown Beloit on Friday and Saturday nights, Feb. 15-16 starting at 10 p.m. The plan is to present 18 carefully selected groups, nine each evening. The groups will perform one-hour sets at Merrill and Houston’s Steak Joint in the Beloit Inn, and Suds O’Hannahans and the new Riley’s Sports Bar on Grand Ave.
There will be a $5 cover charge for each venue starting at 9:30 PM. Patrons will also have the opportunity to purchase a $10 wristband at each location that will provide admission to all the venues for the night.
“Since we announced our plans to add this element to BIFF this year, we have received 174 submissions for consideration from interested bands from as far away as the UK,”, “This will add to our offerings and appeal to those here to see films as well as to another demographic that is interested particularly in music. It will expand our offerings and extend our program until 2 a.m. “
The bands will range from singer-songwriter solo artists to rock, alternative and jazz groups. “There was no restriction placed on the kinds of music we would consider. We promised a great audience and state of the art sound systems,”.
“This is an experiment but one which has a precedent at many of the top festivals in the country that have combined music and film such as South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and the Chicago Music and Film Festival” says BIFF President Ron Nief. “It will replace the BIFF After Dark parties that have been popular in recent years. Changes like this keep us fresh and help to attract new audiences.”
