Dragonfly Music Festival: Where Music Takes Flight

The Dragonfly Music Festival is coming — the love child of music and community — ready to take flight once again. It began in Sedona in 2021 as a healing celebration for music lovers who had spent too long apart. Back then, its motto was simple: Hike by Day, Music by Night. Hundreds made the trip to share songs under the stars. Now, four years later, The Six String Society Festival returns with the next chapter of Dragonfly at the stunning TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos. Gates open at Noon, and the music kicks off shortly after, filling the day with nonstop performances until Dusk. Learn more and get tickets at events.humanitix.com/dragonfly-music-festival.

The LINE-UP

Get ready — this is where the magic happens, If Dragonfly has a secret magic, it’s this: the lineup flows from spirited Celtic reels and rowdy singalongs to hypnotic West African beats, from cumbia rhythms that practically demand you dance to rock anthems with big hooks and bigger guitar solos. Add in smoky blues and soaring, harmony-rich rock, and you’ve got a day built to keep you dancing, singing, and bringing you the best parts of every genre until the sun goes down.

Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas

Think of a pub in Dublin, toss in some bluegrass grit, and turn the energy up to eleven — that’s the Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas. Since 2011, this eight-piece crew has been setting brewery patios and festival stages ablaze with a mash-up of Irish trad, Americana, and just the right amount of mischief. Their third album, Third Flagon, snagged them the San Diego Music Award for Best Local Recording in 2023.

“Our goal is simple,” says Jack Laux. “Get people singing with us by the second chorus — and if they’re stomping along on the tables, even better.”

Monette Marino Band

When Monette Marino hits the stage, you don’t just hear the beat — you feel it in your bones. A master percussionist who studied with the legendary Mamady Keïta, she brings West African djembe to the forefront and makes it impossible to stand still. Her band is a full-on rhythmic explosion, turning any stage into a global dance floor.

“The drum is the oldest form of communication,” Marino says. “At Dragonfly, we’re going to speak that language with everyone who shows up.”

The Sleepwalkers

San Diego’s cumbia kings. The Sleepwalkers mix Latin grooves with rockabilly swagger, serving up songs that get everyone smiling and moving. They’re two-time San Diego Music Award winners, but their real prize is the sea of dancers they leave in their wake.

“Our music is built for movement,” one band member says. “If you’re not sweating by the end of our set, we didn’t do our job.”

Tri-City Rollers featuring Stevie Salas

This set is pure celebration. The Tri-City Rollers reunite some of San Diego’s most legendary players from the ’80s scene. Expect driving rhythms, big hooks, and the kind of guitar work that lights up the stage and pulls you closer. With Stevie Salas at the helm — a guitarist and producer known for turning up the voltage — this set is less a concert and more a dance party wrapped in a rock show.

“It feels like plugging an old amp back in and realizing it still roars,” says one of the Rollers. “We can’t wait to light it up again.”

Mercedes Moore Band

Mercedes Moore doesn’t just sing the blues — she owns them. A fixture on the San Diego blues and soul circuit, her voice is smoky, fierce, and guaranteed to raise goosebumps. Backed by a tight band, she turns every set into a revival.

“For me, it’s about connection,” Moore explains. “The band and I bring everything we have so the crowd feels something real.”

The Sea Monks

This powerhouse trio brings rockabilly into the here and now. Led by Noah Kapinchske on guitar and vocals, they’ve been racking up San Diego Music Award nominations while touring the western U.S. Expect twang, grit, and a shot of swagger.

“We like to keep one foot in the past and one boot kicking into the future,” Kapinchske says.

Daring Greatly

Closing out the night, Daring Greatly delivers harmony-rich rock with the soul of the ’70s and the heart of a band that means every word they sing. Formed in 2015 and now based in Southern California, they blend folk, soul, country, and rock into anthems built to make a crowd sing along.

“When those harmonies lock in and the audience sings back,” says vocalist Patrick Croome, “that’s why we do this. That’s why we call it Daring Greatly.”

The SETTING:

TERI Campus of Life isn’t just a venue. It’s a vision. It’s the perfect backdrop for a festival that does the same. Every ticket to The Dragonfly Music Festival supports the mission of TERI Campus of Life — helping transform lives through performing arts, fine arts, health and wellness, and social connection, particularly for individuals with special needs. This is music with a mission, and you get to be part of it. Bring a blanket, bring a beach chair, grab a Craft Drink and check out the Artisan Vendors.

Want the VIP Experience? With a VIP Ticket you will have reserved seating, indoor lounges, private restrooms, chef-curated food stations (including Vegan Options!), drink tickets, collector’s badges, posters, and even an artist meet-and-greet. It’s the ultimate all-access pass

This isn’t just a show. It’s a gathering, a chance to hit pause on the noise of life and plug back into what matters: music, people, and pure connection. October 4. San Marcos. Grab your Ticket and be there when the Dragonfly takes flight again!