HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Robert joined the Homegrown volunteer team in 2016 as a “broke college student” and hasn’t looked back.  His college years are behind him but the broke not so much 😉

He says the trick to being a stand out venue in Duluth is to name your venue something that starts with a B because his faves are Blush, Blacklist and Beaners.

Robert’s Pro Tip for new volunteers: Trying to yell over the band is fruitless.  Be prepared to communicate all the common questions you’ll get non-verbally. Have a price guide on hand to point at, plan to tap your finger on your own wristband to get folks to show you theirs, and make sure the set list for your venue is displayed prominently at or near your table.

Robert’s “don’t miss band(s)” for 2019 are MRS and the Sordid Affairs – they are simply everything he could want in a band – Queer as hell, unafraid to go all out, and some absolutely killer music to back it up.  We all certainly agree!

Robert proved that volunteering for Homegrown is possible while still a college student and so we know you can do it too! One time he volunteered the night before a big final and had successes both with the festival and his grade!

Thank you for all you do for Homegrown Robert!

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Alison joined us as a Homegrown volunteer for the first time in 2018 but she has been a dedicated attendee since 2012!

Alison thinks the trolley is the best venue of the festival with its amazing energy and intimate setting.  She is not alone in that!

She decided to volunteer to become more active in the festival she loves.  She had a great time volunteering last year – especially enjoying interacting with fans as a representative of the festival.  The found the volunteer training really useful and pointed out that the Men as Peacemakers bystander intervention training was a highlight – offering practical strategies that have stuck with her beyond the festival.  

Alison’s Pro Tip: Don’t get too attached to your ‘to-do” list.  She says this with love because she is a self described over ambitious Homegrown list maker.   Wander around a but and pop into an unfamiliar venue; check out a band you’ve never heard of. These are spontaneous delights that make Homegrown a special event.

Alison says she will always show up for whatever Todd Gremmels is doing.

Alison volunteered with her hubby last year and we gave them one of the weirdest shifts of the festival – the door at Blacklist on the night TBT was doing their secret show at Luce.  As the closest venue selling wristbands we knew they were going to get crushed but we couldn’t tell them why we staffed that door so heavily. LOL They were such good sports and we thank them for that!  Can’t wait to see what this year brings!

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Serena Follis is one our hardest working Homegrown Music Festival Venue Managers.  She almost always works multiple nights supervising groups of volunteers in one of our more busy and demanding venues!  We are so lucky to have her <3

Serena loves working the Rex Bar and likes to work all her shifts there.  There is lots of space for dancing at that venue and the atmosphere is always great and full of fun.  She loves spending the week of Homegrown running from venue to venue to see all the diverse local music.

Serena volunteers her time for Homegrown because it allows her to see great local music that she wouldn’t’ ordinarily be able to see and to hang out with like-minded people who are out and about to have a good time and make new friends.  

Serena’s expert advice: Look out for each other and be smart! There is a lot going on and the whole festival is more fun when people are respectful of one another and looking out for everyone while having fun.  

Serena says don’t miss Four on the Floor – she caught them at a secret show at Glensheen last year and was so impressed by their music and good energy.

Thank you Serena – we literally couldn’t do this without you!

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Gavin has been a pat of the Homegrown volunteer family since the 2017 festival!

Gavin’s favorite Homegrown Music Festival memory is Sarah Krueger’s 2018 set at the Red Herring Lounge.  He had just seen the Netflix documentary on Lady Gaga and was stunned to see Sarah K. dressed resembling Lady G in the Joanne album.

Gavin volunteers for Homegrown because of his own love of music (a guitarist and a singer!) and comedy.  He hopes to one day put on his concert. His commitment is deepened by Homegrown’s partnership with PAVSA and his commitment to a safe party environment for all. He likes helping keep people safe in part of the #metoo movement.  

Gavin’s pro-tip for new volunteers is to keep a keen eye for wristbands!

Thank you Gavin and we hope to see you at the 2019 festival!

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/