Jess Novak’s FIRE Festival is back and in a big way, supporting, celebrating and empowering women in the music, arts and beyond New York State. There are many ways to support this incredible cause, so please read on and better yet attend one or many of these incredible events. We challenge you to scroll down and look at sponsors, vendors and artists, share and tag the most possible.
On Sunday, March 9, the fourth annual F.I.R.E. (Females Inspire Rock Empower) Festival will take place
at ONCO Fermentations, 397 NY-281 Suite O, Tully. The event will run from 2-5 p.m. and will feature
a wide variety of female artists, musicians, dancers and business owners.
“This year we’re happy to host the festival at a venue that presents local musicians all the time,” creator
of the festival, Jess Novak, says. “I think it’s important to support each other in the community and I’m
excited for the different energy.”
This year, the festival will feature two stages, one in both the front and back rooms of ONCO. Music will
be continuous from 2-5 p.m. with a jam ending the show. Vendors will be in the back room for the
duration of the fest.
“The jam is going to be incredible,” Novak says. “I love surprising people when someone steps from
behind a vendor booth and hits the stage.”
Vendor/musicians will include Jessica Brown, who will be selling her jewelry, but is also known as a
singer and instrumentalist with her band, Root Shock. Vocalist Joanna Nix Jewitt will be at the event with
Music for the Mission, a group that feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless throughout Upstate New
York.
Vendors feature a wide variety of CNY favorites including Michelle DaRin Jewelry, Colello Creations,
Foxxy Bones, Anna with Intention, R.C. Lloyd, ReAwakened Jewelry, Art by Laura Buys, RAS Jacobson
Art, Phoenix Creations, Sara Francis and many more.
But the event on March 9 isn’t the only F.I.R.E. show planned for 2025.
On Sunday, February 16, Jess Novak and Ashley Cox will perform a F.I.R.E. Pre-Party at ONCO
Fermentations from 3-5 p.m. with Azure Eyes vending. And on Sunday, March 16, Amanda Rogers and
Chloe Danes will perform at Pink Rock Culture Co-Op in Syracuse from 4-7 p.m. with Black Whisker
Vintage vending. Another event will take place at Lunkenheimer Brewing in Weedsport on Sunday,
September 28.
“The goal has always been to present more women in more places,” Novak says. “I can’t always do a
huge festival, but I like the idea of smaller events to feature different women and vendors in
atmospheres appropriate for each of them and for attendees. Amanda and Chloe are the type of
songwriters where people need to be quiet and listen to every word. I wanted to create an event where
they will shine as they are and as they’re meant to be heard.”
However, the big festival on Sunday, March 9 will be a loud one with a long list of vendors, several solo
acts and one band jam to end the festival with multiple singers, instrumentalists and songwriters.
“I’ve be proud every festival we’ve put on, but I wanted to make this one a little rowdy,” Novak says. “I
look forward to songwriter showcases, but I also love a good rock show.”
Tickets for March 9 and 16 are available on Eventbrite – both events are $10 pre-sale and $20 day-of. The F.I.R.E. Pre-Party on February 16 is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome at all events, but ID will be required at the door of ONCO Fermentations on March 9 and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Musical schedule for Sunday, March 9 (doors at 1p.m.)
Jessie Elizabeth – 2 p.m.
Amanda Ashley – 2:30 p.m.
SPEAKDANCE CNY performance 3 p.m.
Ashley Cox – 3 p.m.
Claire Byrne (from Driftwood) – 3:30 p.m.
Jam with Jess Novak, Ashley Cox, Amanda Ashley, Jessica Brown, Andrea Canale, Joanna Nix
Jewett, Caitlin Barry and more starting at 4:15 p.m.
Vendor list includes:
Foxxy Bones
R.C. Lloyd
Sara Francis
Anna With Intention
Artisan Elements
Phoenix Creations
RAS Jacobson Art
Essential Soulcrafting
Pink Rock Culture Co-op
Music For the Mission
Michelle DaRin
ReAwakened Jewelry
Wildebeest Publishing
Chocko Sisters Creations
Art By Laura Buys
Slit Weave
Valerie Rene’ Creations
Colello Creations
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