The First Inaugural M.A.R.S. Festival at The Miramar Theatre in Milwaukee WI. The gallery begins with some random candids before the show. Officially kicking off the days music were Orphonic Orchestra. Sean Gill and Brad Klotz from Strange Land performed on "the second stage" during the break. Next were Engine of Earth and Aziola Cry, two bands that I hadn't heard before but, man, am I glad I now have... they simply rocked! Sean Gill returned to the second stage for a lovely solo acoustic set. Then came Quark Quintet. Next was Strange Land. Julie Brandenburg and Eric Lundgren took the second stage during a quick dinner break. After dinner was the very ethereal and ambient Kurt Michaels. And then, it happened... my camera broke! ARRGH! Sadly, I wasn't able to capture the final three acts, Far Corner, Dimension X or Karcius, but they all kicked ass, believe me. An entire day of Prog at it's finest.
My deepest thanks to D.R. Burkowitz, Chad Novell and all the fabuluos artists for their graciousness and access... you all made this a very special day for me, despite the broken camera at the end.