Big Muddy Spook Heavy is hoping to captivate downtown Cape

Organizers of the Big Muddy Spook Heavy hope to capitalize on an already energetic downtown crowd for the new progressive bluegrass festival today and Saturday.

"Halloween weekend, we figured that would be the best time to do it, when everyone was excited," said Brandon Kohrman, promotional manager for Bloom Heavy Productions, which organized the festival.

Kohrman said the festival came together quickly this year and that the dates and tone may change in 2012. For now, though, they embraced the holiday theme, complete with a Halloween activity center in the parking lot outside Port Cape with pumpkin carvings, costume contests and other family-focused entertainment.

Water Street will be closed from Broadway to Independence Street. The first block of Themis Street will be closed at Main Street. Entrances will be set up at Broadway and Water Street and the intersection at Themis and Main streets.

Kohrman said the stage would be set up at the south end of the festival, nearest to Port Cape. The festival will work its way north, past the family-friendly Halloween set up in the parking lot at Themis and Water streets to about a dozen vendors set up along Water Street with art, jewelry and clothing.

For a break from the chill or a chance to diversify the music, Port Cape will host DJs with techno and electronic music on both nights.

Through its rural music festivals, Bloom Heavy Productions has formed bonds with several bands. The company books shows for small events and for The Bid Idea. Kohrman said they are slowly moving into the booking agent role.

"We've been trying to bring new music to Cape for a while because the music scene has sort of disappeared," Kohrman said about the decision to make this a bluegrass festival.

The production company capitalized on those relationships with local bands and regional ones like Dirtfoot and Kentucky Knife Fight.

The Big Idea, Headley Grange and Brother Bagman -- local bands playing the festival this weekend -- put a youthful spin on the old genre, some even crossing into more of a roots rock or funk sound. But the festival will still feature plenty of banjos and high harmonies that define bluegrass.

"We love bluegrass," Kohrman said. "We always have, and we love the idea of people our age doing it."

Bluegrass is "really alive. It's always moving and changing," Kohrman said. "It's just really high energy. It'll keep you awake."

Current Bands Playing Spook Heavy

MAIN STAGE

Friday

* The Whistle Pigs -- Beer Garden Band

* Honky Suckle 5 to 6:30 p.m.

* Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy 7 to 8:30 p.m.

* The Big Idea 9 to 10 p.m.

* Dirtfoot 10:30 p.m.

Saturday

* Aaron Reese noon

* Joey Parent 1 to 1:30 p.m.

* Don Greenwood 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.

* Mustard Beards 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.

* Brother Bagman 4 to 5:20 p.m.

* Dumptruck Butterlips 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

* Monstars 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.

* New Old Calvary 9 to 10:15 p.m.

* Cletus Got Shot 10:45 p.m.

PORT CAPE

Friday

* DJ Derve Breakbeat 9 to 10:30 p.m.

* Dank Grooves Dubstep / Grime 10:30 p.m. to midnight

* DJ ChemLove House / Electro noon to 1:15 p.m.

Saturday

* (ct)CruncH! House 9 to 11 p.m.

* DJ Derve Breakbeat 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

* DJ Team Jacob UK Bass 12:30 to 1:15 a.m.