Experience the ‘Final’ 242 Main Concert in Virtual Reality on Sat. 11/11 at Big Heavy World During Winter Music Summit

Press Release by Big Heavy World. Photo by James Lockridge.

360-Degree Concert Footage Shared with HTC VIVE VR Headset at Winter Music Summit

RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/306155723123582/

BURLINGTON, October 10 —On December 3, 2016 a tribute concert was held at legendary teen center 242 Main as it was shuttered by the City of Burlington. 242 Main is the longest-running all-ages punk rock venue in the nation and was a safe community space for generations of local youth.

The ‘final’ concert featured 22 bands and portions of some sets were recorded as 360-degree video for Big Heavy World by VR cinematographer Don Bateman of Mean Cat Entertainment. This video will be shared with the public at Big Heavy World’s headquarters with an HTC VIVE virtual reality headset on Saturday, November 11, 7-10pm. The headset allows viewers to look around the entire 242 Main concert environment, in every direction, during the playback of the 360-degree video. The HTC VIVE was made available for this event by Kip Steele, an ambassador of emerging technology who has hosted many community events to introduce virtual reality to Burlington citizens.

Big Heavy World is an independent, volunteer-run music office that promotes and archives the music of Vermont, building community among musicians and reflecting Vermont’s diverse musical talent to the world. It’s headquarters is located at 404 Pine Street, inside the SEABA Center in the South End Arts District, and is wheelchair accessible. Viewing the 360-degree concert footage is free and all ages; the event is part of the week-long Winter Music Summit.

The Winter Music Summit features documentary film, musician panels, live music showcases and special events like a free VT Music Yearbook Photo session by photographer Monika Rivard at Big Heavy World.The Summit is made possible by collaborators Arts Riot and Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center with support from Advance Music, the Burlington City Arts Community Fund, and the Vermont Women’s Fund. More information about the Winter Music Summit can be found at bigheavyworld.com.

The future of 242 Main is uncertain but the community of Burlington is fighting to save it — see and sign the petition at http://www.save242main.com — and it could come back strong when its distressed building is eventually repaired.

For more information about the Burlington screening, contact James Lockridge, Big Heavy World, jim@bigheavyworld.com, (802) 865-1140.