Lawrence.com

Update: The event is NOT canceled despite the fact that the organizer faces charges stemming from alleged fraud (5.21.08)From the promoters: DOGSTOCK '08 ... A CELEBRATION OF AND BENEFIT FOR THE DOGS WITH MUSIC AND CAMPING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 22-25 AT THE AARF HUMANE SANCTUARY AND CAMPGROUND 6206 E. 317TH St, MELVERN, KS 66510 (JUST FIVE MILES EAST OF MELVERN, KANSAS). ALL TALENT AND MOST EXPENSES ARE DONATED!!!THIS WILL BE SUCH A ROCKIN' OPEN HOUSE/PARTY!!! BEAUTIFUL CAMPING, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AND THE DOGGIES! ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE ANIMALS AT OUR NO KILL SANCTUARY.$40 DONATION AT GATE COVERS CAMPING AND AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS! GATES OPEN 1PM MAY 21 AND CLOSE 3 PM MAY 26. MANY FRIENDLY VENDORS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE ... VENDOR INQUIRIES WELCOME.NO ALCOHOL ON SALE ONSITE THIS YEAR!!! COME PREPARED AND SAVE $$$!!! GREAT FOOD AND NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AVAILABLE HERE!!! BEAUTIFUL RUSTIC AND SECLUDED CAMPING! RVs AND GENERATORS ALLOWED!AS A NON PROFIT FOUNDATION YOUR DONATIONS TO THE DOGS (beyond the admission donation) MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. ASK YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR DETAILS. MANY THANKS FROM THE DOGGIES!!!MUCH MORE INFO AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DOGSTOCKMUSICFEST OR CALL 785-214-1182DOGSTOCK '08 LINE UP LISTED ALPHABETICALLY!!! MORE SURPRISES TO COME ... KEEP CHECKING THE LISTINGS (what a party!)ABRACADABRAS ... Kansas City, MissouriAGATHY ... Iola, KansasBACKLASH ... Topeka, KansasBAYLEY KATE ... KansasBEAR'S ACOUSTIC HONEY ... Minneapolis, MinnesotaBEN HOPPES ... Kansas CityBIG STACK DADDY ... Lawrence, KansasBLUE MARTIAN TRIBE ... Omaha, NebraskaCOLFAX ... Minneapolis, MinnesotaDAVE "BOBCAT" PATMORE ... Kansas City, MissouriDESSA VIBES ... Omaha, NebraskaDIVINE ... VirginiaDR. Z's EXPERIMENT ... Cedar Rapids, IowaDUFFY McGEE ... Hutchinson, KansasTHE FABULOUS BOLT ONS ... Kansas City, MissouriFANCY BASTARD ... Minneapolis, MinnesotaFOR THE IRONY ... Sturgeon, MissouriHATE, INC. ... Kansas City, MissouriHECTIC ... Kansas City, MissouriHELEN KELLER NATION ... Washington, MissouriTHE HISTRONIC ... Minneapolis, MinnesotaHOMEMADE HEADTRIP ... Cedar Rapids, IowaJEFF SCHEETZ AND FRIENDS ... Kansas City. MissouriJEM RAZZ AND FRIENDS ... Kansas City, MissouriJENN CRISTY ... Bloomington, IndianaKAN EYED ... Kansas City, MissouriMARCO MILES ... Jacksonville, FloridaTHE MISSISSIPPI FLAPJACKS ... St. Louis, MissouriMOON BOOT POSSE ... Lacrosse, WisconsinNEW WAVE BOSSA NOVA ... Milwaukee, WisconsinPHILHORN AND DR. MELLOWHAZE... Tulsa Oklahoma & KCROCKHILL ... Kansas City, MissouriRUSKIN QUARTET ... Kansas City, MissouriRYAN HEINLEIN ... Kansas City, Missouri77 JEFFERSON ... Kansas City, MissouriSOAP ... Minneapolis, MinnesotaSPACE STATION LOUNGE ... KansasSWEET PICK ... Chicago, IllinoisTEMPO ... Lincoln, NebraskaTIM SESSION ... St. Louis, Missouri12 FLUID OUNCES ... Iola, KansasWOO ... Kansas City, MissouriMORE ANNOUNCEMENTS SOON!!!We do this for the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation, a 501C-3 non profit and a Kansas licensed shelter, though we look at it a bit more as a sanctuary, not only for the dogs, but the wildlife on our 80 acres as well. Sadly, we are the only licensed SHELTER in Osage County. You don't want to know what they call animal control.Our event is an eclectic four day music and camping celebration of the dogs that is scheduled for May 22-25 2008 benefiting the AARF Sanctuary which is located on the 81 acre farm that is home to all the rescued animals and their friends and caretakers, Randy Long, Suzie Long and Kendra Olson at the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation. This is a multi-faceted, pet-friendly all ages event designed to raise awareness of crucial animal welfare issues as well as, hopefully raising much needed funds for the dogs. Dogstock has become an exciting and much anticipated community event each festival.Everyone comments on the peaceful, happy vibe. One of the main goals of AARF is to raise community awareness of this and other rescue groups' efforts and to highlight the availability of healthy animals looking for good homes that are in shelters and rescues. Saving a life is a pretty cool thing to do.Far more animals can be saved through education than all the hands on work put together though and the universal language of music is what we put our faith in to uplift hearts and minds. Animal lovers are invited to bring their lucky dog to the festival, however all pets must be spayed/neutered and have a current vaccination record and all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.As an aside I would note we feed 800 lbs of premium kibble per week along with 10 gallons of freshly cooked jambalaya each day. We are currently caring for 90 dogs, a rescued abused elderly horse, a pony and a rescued abused parrot along with the most unique "pride" of ferrel kitties you've ever seen.Though we rescue more Akitas than not, we have many mixes as well as some horribly neglected and abused dogs dropped off in the middle of the night. It warms our hearts to see how these dogs blossom under our care as we work on their rehabilitation and resocialization.We also specialize in special needs dogs and older dogs. These are some of the most rewarding relationships we develop. We have stories that are so wonderful including an elderly Akita we adopted to a family with a seriously epileptic child. The dog started predicting his seizures and getting help! Before he succumbed to old age Jake had "cured" the boy of his seizures.Other stories include folks who adopted a dog one day and the next were protected from intruders. Dogs give us unconditional love and when we allow 8 to ten million to be killed yearly because they were inconvenient that is unforgivable. Endless puppymill breeding in the midwest along with some real lunatic backyard breeders are perpetuating this situation along with owners who don't take their responsibilities seriously. Because we are rural, we have few volunteers and fewer donors, so Dogstock will hopefully become a major source of fundraising. It sure has helped provide a voice for the voiceless as music is the universal language; even with dogs!