In thinking about this month’s article, I tried to define for myself what makes Britt so special. Over the past 5 years, I have observed that each concert has its own vibe and culture that brings people of different backgrounds, experiences, and appearances together in a safe and happy environment. Gratefully, music really is blind. It doesn’t care about your race, age, gender, appearance, sexual orientation, social class, etc. I’d like to believe that Britt is a non-judgmental community gathering place that simply brings all kinds of people joy through a wide variety of performing arts experiences. What a gift!

On April 9, Britt’s Classical Festival Music Director, Teddy Abrams, joined me in announcing the full 2015 season on the Britt stage. Teddy said that he was thrilled to be a part of the night because he truly believes that there is good music in all genres and he also believe there is “one Britt” that should be embraced by all. With more than 200 invited guests in attendance, we celebrated the joy of music, all kinds of music. No matter what the genre, from show tunes to reggae, the crowd’s enthusiastic applause and excitement made for a joyous evening.

Now that we are less than two months away from the first concert of the season, it is time for Britt fans to start planning their summer around the Britt Music and Arts Festival’s line-up. The 2015 season is going to be as exciting as it is abundant and diverse. Kicking-off the season on Saturday, June 20, Brit Floyd will play five decades of hits from Pink Floyd. Hailed by critics, they put on a top-notch show with phenomenal musicians and singers and the visual effects are going to be unbelievable. Other debut performances include Ben Folds, self-described as a punk rocker for sissies, CMA award-winning country artist Kasey Musgraves, contemporary pop-rock acts Needtobreathe and Switchfoot, pop flamenco sensation The Gipsy Kings, and prolific songwriter Randy Newman.

Britt’s summer season also includes the annual Best of Britt benefit on Thursday, July 2. The evening includes food from local restaurants and tastings from local wineries, beer from Western Beverage and Ninkasi Brewing. The evening includes a silent auction, and is topped-off by a headline performance by the high-energy neo-swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Britt’s education programs.

I just came across a quote by the journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, coincidently also from Teddy’s home of Louisville, Kentucky, and would like to close with it. “Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”

Tickets for Britt’s 2015 season are on sale to Britt members now, and go on sale May 15 to the general public. For full information about Britt’s 2015 season and membership, visit www.brittfest.org or call 541-773-6077 or 1-800-882-7488. Britt’s box office is now open 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday thru Friday at 216 West Main St. in Medford.