Smokeout Lights Up San Manuel Amphitheater with Music, Education

[Weedpipe]

Something was burning at the revival of Cypress Hill's Smokeout at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Friday and Saturday, and it wasn't just the performances from big-name artists.

The festival, which is a celebration of music and cannabis culture, returned for the first time since 2003 with performances from artists including Slipknot, a reunion of Sublime, Deftones and Pennywise as well as an expo aimed at educating people about marijuana.

"Smoke out -- those two words describe what it is," said Rhonda Lacasse, of West Covina, who attended both days of the festival and wore a lei around her neck made from fake cannabis leaves.

Last week, community members objected to the festival, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which staffs all shows at the site, issued a statement to remind people about drug laws.

By Saturday evening, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said there were no major disturbances or problems during the concert. At least one concertgoer was seen being led away in handcuffs for unknown reasons.

Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union, promoter of the event, said "We've gone farther this year."

He said adding the educational and information components about marijuana was a big step for the festival, which is planned as an annual event.

"We know we're a niche lifestyle music festival," Weisberg said.

He said 30,000 people were expected throughout the two days.
Concertgoers were searched as they entered.

Troy Goings, who traveled from Sacramento to help promote the upcoming film "Mary N Jane," said that lighters were not allowed. Even so, pockets of marijuana smoke permeated the air.

"You can't even bring a lighter to a smokeout. How do you smoke out?" he said.

But the substances weren't the only reason people came to the festival.

Some concertgoers, such as Ryan Woodward, of Menifee, came to hear the music. He was looking forward to seeing metal band Slipknot's headlining set, but he was impressed with the diversity of the bill, which included the hip-hop of Cypress Hill, the punk stylings of Bad Brains and the hard-edged alternative rock of Deftones.

"The people are cool to each other, especially when music is involved," Woodward said. "It's humanity."



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Source: Pe.com
Author: VANESSA FRANKO
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