Shinnecock Reservation Will Be Home to Music and Arts Festival in August

A music and arts festival is coming to the in Southampton this August, bringing with it economic stimulus for the tribe and improvements to reservation facilities in time for the 65th annual Shinnecock Powwow during Labor Day weekend.

The festival is modeled after “The Secret Garden Party,” an annual event held on a private estate near Huntingdon, England. The U.K. festival was founded in 2004 by Fred Fellowes, who is now organizing the festival at the reservation, dubbed “Escape to New York.” Co-organizers include Rocco Gardener, Martin Heath and the Cake Group, a marketing agency based in London and New York City.

According to promoters, “Escape to New York” has been in the works for a few years, ever since a member of the tribe reached out to festival partner Rocco Gardner about bringing a music event to the reservation to aid the tribe’s economic development initiatives.

Under their agreement with the tribe, festival organizers will refurbish all the buildings on the site of the powwow grounds and take care of shower facilities, fencing and landscaping needs, said Pam Workman-Hilton of Workman Entertainment in New York City, a firm promoting the event.

The festival is scheduled for August 5 to 7 and the powwow is just weeks later, during Labor Day weekend.

Workman-Hilton said the name, “Escape to New York,” was chosen to raise questions. Because the Shinnecock Reservation is located in New York, but also sovereign land, it is a place that is and is not New York, she said; attendees are both in New York and escaping it. The aim is for attendees to drop their preconceptions and be happily surprised by a uniquely creative world for three days, she said.

“It's been a great privilege to get to know and work with the Shinnecock community and we look forward to many more successful events together, " Gardner said.

The reservation will not only serve as a venue, but as an inspiration for festival activities. There will be traditional Shinnecock arts and crafts, food and education.

Other plans for the festival include music, performance art, experimental theater, interactive art installations, “culinary delights” — and the world’s biggest brunch at a live music festival. The festival will offer brunch to the first 1,000 who arrive, in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest brunch at a live music event, Workman-Hilton said.

Organizers will also seek attendees’ ideas, for a “user-generated” party.

The performance line-up is yet to be announced, but promoters promise “the best break out and emerging music to be heard anywhere.”

Overnight accommodations will be offsite. One option organizers are offering is “glamping,” or glamorous camping, including “room service,” catering, butlers, massage, makeovers and more. The camping location has yet to be announced.

Tickets are slated to go on sale this month. The tentative price is $275 for all three days, or $125 for one day.