Kalistan

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Crown Princess Carolina opens 1st Annual ODEN Smokeout in Dana



ODEN-K holds first Annual "Smokeout" in Eveari
Aims to restart outdoor festivals on a smaller scale
Dana, Duchy of Suldanor
October 25, 5569

On an unseasonably warm mid autumn day in Suldanor, ODEN-K held their first annual "Kalistani Smokeout", a concert showcase meant to bring ODEN back into live music and return regular live music to Kalistani audiences.  The festival was held at Dana's Rio de Oro County Park and drew more than 27,500 attendees.

"We wanted to kinda relaunch the Kalistani festival scene with a small, one day event that would feature some popular music and would allow fans to get together and party," said ODEN-K Director Margret Henderson.  "We worked together with ARC, LCR and VDR to bring together artists from around Kalistan, and the inaugural Smokeout has been a tremendous success."

Henderson said the primary impetus for the event was none other than Her Highness, the Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek, who reportedly approached ODEN-K officials in May to ask about organizing a new GanJam.  "Her Highness has long been interested in live music," said Henderson, "and started writing to us last Spring to ask when or if we were planning a new GanJam.  After we told her that there weren't any plans to hold a new festival at the current moment, she asked for a meeting, and we couldn't say no to the Princess."  Henderson said the Crown Princess met with ODEN-K officials with four different alternative proposals for a full summer festival series, and over the months, Carolina worked with ODEN-K representatives to pare down the proposals into a fall Showcase which ODEN has called the Smokeout.

"Naturally, the National Product was available at the Smokeout," said Director Henderson.  "We weren't initially too sure if the 'full' experience was what Her Grace had in mind, but she enthusiastically welcomed ODEN to go full in on the event.  She wouldn't have had it any other way."  The Crown Princess even secured more than ₭1 million from House Ananto to help ODEN-K with the event.  "Due to Her Grace's personal contribution to the event, we were able to charge only a nominal amount for tickets, less than ₭5 per participant, and all the marijuana at the event was free."  Over the day, more than 1,500 pounds of Dah Gold and other varieties was distributed to more than 19,000 concert attendees.  "We had the full compliment of ODEN products on hand as well, but by far, the concert was a stoner fest."

Her Highness, Crown Princess Carolina opened the show with a short speech about the importance of live music to her experience in Kalistan, and thanked the audience for enthusiastically attending the concert that ODEN-K had worked so hard to put on.  "If there is one thing that stands out about Kalistan its that we know how to have a festival!  Even if this one is only one day long, I would like to thank all of you for coming out and supporting both ODEN and this live music that you will hear today.  I know that being able to go to shows, even if I had to stay pretty much out of sight when I was a kid, that formed the core of some of my best childhood memories, and I hope to continue to enjoy concerts like this one well into the future.  But what's a show without an audience?  Right?  You all make this happen too!"  With that, the Princess Carolina officially opened the Smoke out and introduced the first band, Vrassa's Noise Alternative band Deth in Senvias.

Unlike a standard GanJam, the Smokeout, which is billed as GanJam's Little Sister, was primarily about music.  "One of the biggest expenses of a full GanJam, besides the logistics of taking care of tens of thousands of people for four days, is the art pavilions," said Henderson.  "The Smokeout featured only the music, and we had only 10 acts on the bill."  Henderson said the Smokeout saw the return of Sulari Noise Artists Smoke, who broke up last year over creative differences, as well as show openers Deth in Senvias, both of whom were warmly welcomed by a rowdy crowd.  Other artists like folks artist Tola Bronwyn, and the funk quintet The Northerners ensured that the sound remained eclectic.  "We didn't have any RF on the bill today," said Henderson.  "But we did have Hip Hop out here, with Python's Souljahs.  This was their first big show, and they were fantastic!"

The Republic's Kathy White closes the show out with crowd favorite "Listen Baby"

The Smokeout's headliners were The Republic, whose new album Geometry is currently climbing the charts along with their newest single, the moody, atmospheric "Forget the Way I Feel".  "The Republic have opted to remain in Kalistan indefinitely and continue to make music here," said Henderson.  "I think they were very honored to be personally requested to be part of the show by Princess Carolina, who has been a fan of the band for years now."  The Luthori-born Kalistani sophistipop duo performed a full set of jazz and soul pop along with their permanent touring band, The Sunhats (from Sulari), to close the show out, and after their set, The Princess requested to meet the Band.  The Republic dutifully complied with the summons, only to meet a young royal who was over the moon to meet her favorite musical artists.

"Her Grace, the Crown Princess was all smiles and giggles talking with [The Republic's singer] Kathy White, who herself was a little taken aback by the Crown Princess' enthusiasm," said Henderson.  "It was really very sweet:  Someone like the Crown Princess becomes just a college student and a fan of a band right before your eyes.  The exchange was one where a very proper and professional artist, who was trying to observe official protocol was completely undermined in that effort by an excited, and perhaps more than a little intoxicated, 23 year old girl.  The role reversal was unexpected and disarming for Ms. White."

The festival was, over all a success, and points at potentially restarting the GanJam series.  "I know that thousands of people would attend a GanJam," said Henderson.  "But ODEN-K has slowly shifted out of the entertainment sector so we could put more emphasis on genetics, cultivation and distribution, or basically, doing what a drug cartel is supposed to do."  Would there ever be a GanJam again?  "I mean:  there's obviously interest in live music festivals," said Henderson.  "Never say never."  A prospect that seemed to delight the Crown Princess, apparently, who is reportedly going to launch a petition drive at Kaliburg Polytechnic in the spring to lobby ODEN-K for a new GanJam.  "At any rate, we plan to return next year with the Second Annual Smokeout, and every year after that," said Henderson.