The inspiration behind the Petrol-Free Gypsy Carnival Tour is simple: it's a bit preposterous to burn petroleum on tour with social and environmental justice music.
The Petrol-Free is a bicycle-powered music and art tour to promote peace, social justice, and a healthy planet. On the tour, musicians carry only the essential instruments from city to city on their bicycles. At each venue, amplifiers and other large or heavy equipment are provided by a local band.
In 2009 the inaugural gypsy carnival biked approximately 280 miles in 11 days, touring Virginia from Harrisonburg in the Northwest of the state to Virginia Beach in the Southeast. Learn more.
The 2010 Petrol-Free Gypsy Carnival Tour kicked off on Tuesday, May 11 from Harrisonburg. See the map for our tour route. The whole tour took two weeks.
Contact us if you're interested in attending or want to join the planning collective.
2010 Tour Documentary - Part 1: Harrisonburg, Staunton
View all videos.
2011 Planning Blog
View 2010 Planning Blog | View 2010 Tour Blog
PF Meeting - Dates and New Route!
February 26, 2011
Vicente, Jake, Rachel Sarah, and Nick were present in a reprise to discuss all the options for the tour now that it would be in August.
PF Meeting - Dates and New Route!
February 26, 2011
Vicente, Jake, Rachel Sarah, and Nick were present in a reprise to discuss all the options for the tour now that it would be in August.
Jake mentioned it'd be nice to spend more time in each town rather than rush around so much, so we looked at the possibility of letting go of our Eastern addition of Annapolis and Baltimore, while still keeping the Southern addition to Lynchburg. Those present decided to go for it! We added an extra day to all the major cities allowing our future selves to enjoy each city thoroughly. View the new projected tour!
In addition to working out a new route, we decided to lay cities on actual dates to come up with the official (first draft) schedule of the 2011 tour! Check it out and make some plans to join us or at least hang out with us in your city!
2011 Dates - Decision Revised!
February 22, 2011
In a very impromptu manner, several PF enthusiasts found themselves in the same room at the same time and decided it would be better for our schedules and our planning to change the dates of the 2011 tour to August instead of May... that's right! AUGUST instead of MAY! Spread the word! Join the team!
Our next planning meeting will be Saturday, February 26th at 542 S Federal Street at 4pm. We need people who are interested in booking gigs, mapping routes, discovering couch surfing locations, playing instruments, etc. See you there!
PF Meeting
November 14, 2010
A small gathering of planners met to make a couple major decisions. Billy, Rachel Sarah, and Nick attended the planning kick-off meeting, which ended with a speedy bike ride to dinner at the Peace House!
- Route - We're planning to add Lynchburg and Baltimore to the tour this year... view the projected route.
- Dates - No solid decision was made, but we will be starting sometime the during the week of May 16th. The tour will be 3 weeks this year!
- No 501(c)(3) Status - We decided not to go with being umbrella-ed into 501(c)(3) status. We saw no real pressing need and would rather stay out of the US government if we can!
