By Brendan Harte Gilsenan

The past three years senior Mike Lehman has performed at the James Madison University (JMU) Springfest in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The scene is nothing new to him. For this year’s event, Lehman adopted the privilege and responsibility of determining and booking which bands were to perform at the outdoor party. Without the backing of the University, Lehman tackled the challenge of organizing the festivity’s live acts all on his own.

Springfest, which took place for the fourth annual year, is unaffiliated with James Madison University. Located off-campus at apartment complexes, this alumni-weekend block party is organized and staged by students determined not to see the tradition fade.

With an increase in interest by bands wanting to perform, and last minute location changes, planning the music for this year’s annual Springfest became a much larger task than it previously had been.

“In previous years it was just, ‘Let’s get the JMU bands out [to play] who we like’,” says Lehman, who, this year, was contacted by bands from New York to West Virginia. “Because it was advertised a lot bigger on Facebook this year… people saw that there were going to be a lot of people in attendance, and wanted to have a part in playing it.”

Lehman stressed the fact that priority was given to bands consisting of all, or mostly JMU students. After that, he looked to other acts from the area that would benefit from the local exposure. Others, who originally saw Springfest as an opportunity to cash in due to the large crowd, pulled their names from the running upon learning that the party’s music is, and always has been, a free benefit for the students.

Up until the day of Springfest, the event was in danger of not happening at all. Usually partying at the Fox Hills apartment complex, off of Devon Lane, students learned that the property owners were not allowing the social gathering to be held at its usual location. Although the block party finally found a home at Forest Hills Manor, the music became much more difficult to organize due to the unknown status of the event’s happening.

“For being unorganized, it was as good as it could be,” said Lehman, who originally had booked five bands and five DJs for Springfest.

Junior Matt Sullivan, who jammed with Lehman during a set, also felt the music turned out successful, despite the obstacles.

“The only thing that was lost was the amount of acts that we [had planned for].”

While previous years have seen bands performing under a tent and on stage, this Springfest made use of some more creativity. While a DJ blared tunes from a balcony, Lehman opened his door for students to come in and listen to live music in his living room.

“It was cool being up close to everybody, with them dancing and all,” said Sullivan. Although he pointed out that “it would have sounded better if we were on stage.”

Unfortunately, Lehman predicts this Springfest to be the last, at least for a while. He is afraid the rioting that took place at the Forest Hills block party the following day has forever tarnished the Friday’s event, both of which traditionally comprise Block Party Weekend.

“They’re separate entities, and they’re being ran together, and it’s giving Springfest a bad name,” says Lehman. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Forest Hills block party never happens again, and I feel like [Harrisonburg] is going to try to crack down on Springfest, even though that’s a totally separate entity that went over fine.”