The Mighty Junebugg – a June of all Trades

Just 10 days after a magnificent trip to Sequoia National Park I was at it again, only this time on a grander scale. I was scheduled to DJ at the Northwest World Reggae Festival with my girl J Ross Parrelli. At first I had planned to fly up and back down but thru the wonders of Facebook, I learned that my cousins Kristi & Kelly would be together in Washington at the same time. We coordinated our schedules and it worked out that we would be able to take the road trip of a life time together! I hadn’t spent time with Kristi & Kelly together since I was in 7th grade and I was really excited. The plan: Kelly flies from NY to Seattle to meet Kristi, they drive down to the festival in Oregon to see my show and pick me up. Then the three O’Neills drive from Oregon to Long Beach. The pictures below are what ensued. First off, I was in Oregon for this festival:

Northwest World Reggae Festival

I flew into Portland Thursday night and my friend Giana picked me up. We went back to her house to pick up her kids before driving down to Marcola where the festival takes place. While waiting for her to pack, Giana told me to look at the paintings her son did. At the beginning of summer, her boys went to a children’s hip hop summer camp and her 11 year old son Baqi painted these!

painted by an 11 year old boy!

Baqi (the artist) with his painting "The Light Within"

It blew me away! This kid is like a flyer version Basquiat and he’s only 11! I can only imagine how his art will look when he grows up… watch out for Baqi!

The drive from Portland to Marcloa was almost 3 hours and we didn’t arrive at the festival until around 1am. I was tired as hell and it was raining. I snuck into a crowded tent with J Ross, Yanski, Will and Axé. There was a small space between a person and a puddlle so I claimed it as my own and KNOCKED OUT for the night. In the morning I woke up and we went to the local store to get some supplies and phone reception.

Axé was wearing some fly kicks

The little town was so cute! This was their Community News bulletin

I LOVE the logo for the Oregon State lotto... fingers crossed!

Axé and Selah met in the little market...

I enjoyed an amazing snickerdoodle with my Rockstar for breakfast

The paper had the perfect Orgonian on the cover

Back at the festival I explored our surroundings. It takes place on some property an old man owns, he gets a shitload of money every year and we get a festival. People camp on the outskirts of the prarie right next to the trees. The festival and all its booths take place in the middle. For some reason I didnt take enough pictures to give you all an accurate look at how it was but here it goes:

This field would soon be filled with people watching the show (stage is in the middle)

I cooked up some pasta for our peeps...

a painting by Derek Leitch, MZK, at the eVocal booth

These teepees were the green rooms backstage

I loved this flower, its called a Queen Anne's Lace (thanks Ruff Kuts!)

The festival even had pirates in addition to the mass of hippies

Honey Bucket for the ladies only... really!

quite possibly the coolest hoodie I've even seen

Herbal Shakes & Hot Elixirs

Tierra Madre - Fine Latin Foods

Divine Cupcakes

Bio Diesel conversion kits were even available at the festival!

some yummy organic fruit

Conscious Cultivation Honey

Ethiopian cross in front of Kristafari's tent. I'm bummed I didnt get a pic of him!

Turntable art at Kristafari's camp (he had the best camp of the festival)

We were camped right behind the eVocal booth

My cousins Kristi & Kelly arrived!

at the same time my friend dj Counterstryke's sister Laurel arrived

Zulu Nation representing at the festival

Finally it was time for the show. J Ross Parrelli and I were on right after Queen Omega, she had a live band and  rocked an amazing show. Parrelli and I were caught off guard when we discovered that the turntables were on the side of the stage instead of ON the stage but we still had a great show!

Blowin bubbles and bangin' beats!

J Ross blowing everyone away

Laurel and her friends enjoyed the show

the Mighty Junebugg

Yanski rocked it with a bullhorn

So we played until about 1:30 and then went to check out Kristafari’s set in the Dome. I was about to fall over form exhaustion so I went to bed, the next day would be a big one!