By: Cole Epley

The 12^th Annual Starscape Festival – June 5, 2010

Fort Armistead Park – Baltimore, Maryland

www.starscapefestival.com

Prepare for the biggest party of the year in the Mid-Atlantic, and we aren’t referring to the 4^th of July. No, what we’re referring to is the 12^th Annual Starscape Festival at Fort Armistead Park in Baltimore—presented by Underworld, it’s an electronic event unlike any other in the region. It’s hard to believe that just one day can contain the sheer madness that’s sure to be contained by Starscape on June 5^th, but believe it, folks. It’s going to happen and best of all, it’s almost upon you.

Starscape’s lineup this year reads more like a who’s who in the electronic scene, and instead of regenerating the list and becoming repetitive, we’ll do our best to give you a taste of what to expect: five stages of music and live entertainment ranging from DJs to visual art performances all encompassed within the intimacy of Fort Armistead Park’s natural serenity and beauty. Lotus, Two Fresh, The Disco Biscuits, Charles Feelgood, Pretty Lights, Wolfgang Gartner and Future Rock are among the 40-odd artists poised to dust the cobwebs out of attendees’ heads for the day-long soiree. Be sure to visit the homepage to get the full-on lowdown on this summer’s Starscape Festival.

Tickets: Get your tickets at the festival homepage, through Musictoday or at retail ticketing outlets throughout the Northeast. General admission fees are $59.50, or you may treat yourself to the VIP Package which is $159.50. The VIP Package includes special VIP access to members-only viewing areas at all five stages, exclusive ON-SITE parking, a free Starscape 2010 laminate as well as access to The Lost World VIP Area, which includes a full open bar and private restroom facilities, among other things. The festival kicks off at 2 P.M. on Saturday and will run until approximately 6 A.M. on Sunday.

Lodging: Festival organizers have teamed up with the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Baltimore to establish a special group rate for Starscapers. In addition to the group rate, there is also available a continuous shuttle to and from the event throughout the day’s activities! Organizers adamantly remind attendees that absolutely NO camping is allowed on or near Fort Armistead Park and/or surrounding property before, during or after Starscape. Transportation information is available on the homepage and provides ample information regarding parking, satellite transportation and East Coast bus trips for those interested in carpooling.

Stages & Vendors: Starscape has established five separate, unique stages for this summer’s event: Main Stage features some of the best livetronica acts in the game today as well as a wooded backdrop and a hard surface dance floor to facilitate the inevitable funkfest that’s sure to ensue; Beach Stage has been enhanced from prior years with an improved sound and light show and is situated with full views of the Patapsco River, Key Bridge and the rising sun; Dance Tent is a 10,000 square foot enclosure which will embody a ‘mega-club atmosphere’ complete with light- and laser shows, top-notch sound systems and video; Drum n Bass Arena upgrades include the transition to open-air, enhanced sound system, video walls and LED lighting among other improvements; Nudashank Gallery will facilitate the bulk of the art gallery, a performance area and activities for festival goers.VIP ticket holders will have access to the abandoned concrete bunker known as The Lost World VIP Area. The Lost World features a full open bar, private restrooms and a lounge complete with couch and chair seating. A diverse selection of food and drink vendors will be located throughout the park’s confines, as well as access to restroom facilities.

Natural Surroundings: Fort Armistead Park finds itself located at the mouth of the Patapsco River and sits on about 50 acres. Abandoned by the U.S. military during the 1920s, the City of Baltimore turned it into a city park in 1947. Wooded terrain surrounds the park and awe-inspiring full views of Chesapeake Bay, the rising sun and the Key Bridge are all witnessed from the confines of the park. Differing from other festivals at Fort Armistead Park, Starscape organizers utilize the hard surface lots to provide clean and earth-friendly settings upon which attendees may safely enjoy their festival experience.

Untz Featured Genres: livetronica, drum & bass, electro, house, dubstep, techno, breaks, downtempo and hardcore.