Five Reasons You Don't Want To Miss SliceFest 2016 June 10, 2016 09:50

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Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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SliceFest, Birmingham’s biggest music and food and block party returns this weekend, featuring sounds from all over the South with it's 2016 lineup.  This year's event will feature The Revivalists, The Soul Rebels, Keller Williams,  The Weeks, Vallejo, Break Science, Muddy Magnolias, Riley Green, and Bailey Ingle on Saturday, June 11th.  SliceFest is held in the Lakeview District on 29th Street South, with the stage in the street towards Slice Pizza & Brewhouse and Moe's Original BBQ.
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“We are excited to be celebrating with the great Lakeview and Birmingham communities as we bring you year five of SliceFest,” stated Jason Bajalieh, co-owner & bro-founder of Slice Pizza & Brewhouse. “The lineup is a solid collaboration of festival to funk and we will top it all off with a grand fireworks show at the end of the night.”
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While we are looking forward to everything that SliceFest has to offer on Saturday, we've narrowed that list down to five reasons that you don't want to miss out on our favorite annual block party.  
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1.  SliceFest 2016 delivers fun family activities for all ages from 1pm to 4pm, followed by a full lineup of musical artists playing sets throughout the evening. A few of this year’s family-friendly activities include giant connect four and chess, face painting, balloon art and the chance to hang out and be photographed with the Marvel Superheroes.  Children ages 12 and under are admitted for free.
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2.   Community is what SliceFest is all about, not just a celebration of those that support Slice Pizza & Brewhouse, but a way to give back to the community. SliceFest has donated over $30,000 to Birmingham-based non-profits. This year SliceFest is partnering with The Suki Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created by Brian & Marie Bateh, in honor of their daughter Sarah Katherine Bateh, affectionately known as Suki, following her diagnosis of Rett Syndrome at age two. In efforts to raise awareness and assist children in reaching their potential through early intervention services, SUKI Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected with Rett Syndrome and other neurological disorders. With early detection and diagnosis, the life of a child with Rett Syndrome can greatly be improved.   We are obviously big believers in the concept of making a difference through the power of music.  Anytime we can support other groups who believe in this concept, we're all about it. 
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3.  The Revivalists, one of the hottest bands to surface out of the Southeast in years, is the headlining act.  This is a band we have had the privilege of watching grow for several years now.  Last November, The Revivalists headlined one of our events, The Blueberry Jam at Weeks Bay Plantation, and they blew us away (in 30 degree weather).   In rock ‘n’ roll, you’ve got to walk the well-trodden path of the genre’s forefathers one step at a time. Each gig under your belt makes for another fan, while every record serves as the next totem for your legacy. It’s a proverbial rite of passage, and there’s no skipping to the end. The Revivalists didn’t take any shortcuts.  You may have read their recent feature in Rolling Stone magazine, or maybe you saw them perform live on The Today Show.  This band brings an energy and passion like no other, and you'll see it for yourself on Saturday night.
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Watch The Revivalists perform "Wish I Knew You" at Tipitina's here:
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4.  Keller Williams is coming to the party.  If you're familiar with the man they call "K-Dub", that's really all you need to know.  Keller has been bringing his "acoustic dance music" to venues and festivals across the United States since the mid-90's, performing on stage with bands such as The String Cheese Incident.   Williams' music combines elements of bluegrass, folk, alternative rock, reggae, electronica/dance, jazz, funk, and other assorted genres. He is often described as a 'one-man jam-band' due to his frequent use of live phrase looping with multiple instruments.  Look out for a Grateful Dead cover on Saturday, as it's a rare occasion when Keller doesn't dig up something from the Dead catalog.
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Watch Keller Williams perform "Freeker By The Speaker" here:
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5.  There's going to be a late night Break Science set.  Break Science features one of the baddest drummers on the planet, Adam Deitch, with acclaimed producer Borahm Lee.  Some may know Deitch as the drummer of funk powerhouse Lettuce.  This duo creates a refreshingly original take on electronic music. The live show transcends expectations with Lee's seasoned trip-hop/dub/jazz vibes on keyboards and Ableton Live and Deitch's thunderous breakbeat style on drums.   Last Summer, Break Science electrified the festival circuit with packed dates across the country, including huge plays at Bonnaroo, Summer Set, Pemberton, Summercamp, Wakarusa, & Sonic Bloom Music Festivals. Lee and Deitch also brought their captivating style to Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado 5/31 (w/ Bassnectar).  Those looking to party on Saturday night definitely want to stick around after The Revivalists and the fireworks show.
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Watch Break Science's performance at Toad's Place (New Haven, CT) from December 2015 here:
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