Spirit of the Suwannee River Park lures me, again
_BY CARL-JOHN X _VERAJA Florida Weekly Correspondent

FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO CARL-JOHN X VERAJA One of the stages at Magfest in Live Oak at last month's music festival.

Magnolia Fest, a music festival in its 11th year, was held at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park last month on a large camping ground with rolling hills, a river and many friendly guests. People from all parts come to hear multiple bands on two sound stages.

James Cornett, the president of the festival, was kind enough to get me some tickets so off we went to listen to such bands as Toots & The Maytals, Outformation , and Futureman & The Black Mozart Ensemble .

As Friday night grew darker, the park seemed to be nearly filled to capacity. It was time for us to find some friends of ours.

As our outstanding luck would have it, we ran into them after walking through a couple of checkpoints and they tuned us in to a purveyor of chocolate energy bars that provided extra stimulation.

People in various costumes were passing back and forth, including children. Across from us, a masked figure sat motionless on the back of a trailer holding a scimitar and a bucket of candy in his lap. When children would reach into the bucket he'd growl, "Just one piece!"

Ultimately, we followed the sound of drums. We came upon a drum circle with about a hundred people gathered around a huge bonfire. A muscle-bound, shirtless fellow was dancing around with rattles along with a few women. The dance-master also was ululating at intervals as the circle built up

After that, all heck broke loose. Around 30 people were dancing with increasingly intensity as the drumming continued and was punctuated by random hooting and hollering, some provided by me.

Later, my partner said she did not feel like herself after entering the drum circle. I thought that it would be nice to bring them into every community even once a week. Maybe people would become more neighborly.

Before the night was through, we had achieved total cosmic oneness.

The following Saturday, we watched the Codetalkers play on one of the stages. It was the best concert I've seen since 1999 although I only caught about three songs.

We did have one great night and I saw several memorable performances.

Like last time I went to the Suwannee River Music Park, I was really glad I did. ¦