The Elevation Group, creators and producers of Cleveland’s music festival – LaureLive – announced today the lineup, venue and beneficiary partnership for WonderBus, a brand new music and arts festival that will launch in Columbus, OH this August 17-18.
The festival, which will take place On The Lawn At CAS, features a diverse lineup of hitmakers including Walk The Moon, X Ambassadors, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and The Revivalists, indie favorites Jenny Lewis, Bishop Briggs and Mt. Joy plus dynamic eclectic performers Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. WonderBus, like its sister festival in Cleveland, will be a highly entertaining music event appropriate for all ages and will benefit The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health.
Elevation, a recognized leader in producing live entertainment events including LaureLive, is partnering with Columbus native, Cliff Chenfeld – co-founder and former owner of leading indie record label Razor & Tie Music and Kidz Bop. Michelle Wesley, a Cleveland-based businesswoman, philanthropist and founder of Music Elevates is a partner in the festival. Music Elevates is a non-profit entity with a mission to educate, inspire and motivate future generations while embracing, participating in and promoting one of the world’s great assets – MUSIC. Also serving as a partner in the festival is Columbus business leader Rick Milenthal and his marketing agency – The Shipyard.
“I am so fired up that we are going to have this event in Columbus,” stated Rick Milenthal. “Elevation has put together an amazing lineup for our first year. And the leadership of the State of Ohio and Columbus are stepping up to share our cause to save lives and help us fund real solutions in mental health.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said, “It’s great that the new WonderBus music festival will pair institutions like The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and CAS together to use music to draw attention to lifesaving programs surrounding depression and suicide.”
On The Lawn At CAS provides the perfect setting for the inaugural music festival. CAS is donating their land for this cause and are no strangers to incredible music events and large crowds. CAS was the long-time host property of the Picnic with the Pops. More importantly, the scenic, tree-lined property sits on the banks of the Olentangy River, at the doorstep of The Ohio State University campus and centrally-located to all of Columbus at 2540 Olentangy River Road.
“We are so proud to host WonderBus on our property,” commented Dr. Michael Dennis, vice president CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society. “This is going to be an exceptional music, food and entertainment experience for the Columbus community; and the festival’s ultimate purpose of raising awareness and funding research to treat mental health issues, aligns with CAS’s mission to improve people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry.”
In collaboration with CAS, WonderBus, has forged a strategically important relationship with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health. CAS and the Festival have guaranteed a share of revenue to help the medical center’s programs for fighting depression.
“The Ohio State University is honored to partner with CAS and The Elevation Group to support efforts to combat depression and strengthen suicide prevention programs for the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Ohio State President Michael V. Drake.
Saturday, August 17 will see Walk The Moon headline Day 1 of WonderBus. The Ohio natives will be joined by The Revivalists (lead singer David Shaw is an Ohio native), Bishop Briggs, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Chelsea Cutler, Parachute, morgxn and many others.
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Photo Credit: Ismael Quintanilla III / Shutterstock.com