Zapateo is a Spanish word that commonly refers to the stomping of one’s feet to a beat. It is sometimes used as an exclamation shouted in celebration during a moment of euphoria on a crowded dancefloor. That explains why music industry veterans Carlie Webbert and Jake Abel have decided to name their upcoming dance music festival ZAPATEO.
Welcome to the world of ZAPATEO, where the natural world melds with the sounds and ceremony of music in motion. Karizma, Spen, Black Rave Culture, Dreamcastmoe, & Beautiful Swimmers bring a taste of the DMV’s eclectic musical history to the inaugural electronic-forward festival at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the additional heavy hitters, Byron the Aquarius and Priori, the weekend should be quite conducive to movement. Performances by Tosser, Full Circle, Truth Cult, and out-of-state favorite Snooper, help ZAPATEO celebrate the never-ending power of punk.
From September 1st to 3rd, you can come join them at camp. Set against the natural landscape of West Virginia’s Camp Tall Timbers—a lush 2-hour drive from the heart of D.C—the campgrounds offer scenic setups for tent camping, with limited cabins and glamping options available.
The three-day festival is a vessel for the essence of motion—and at the heart of it all: an element of playfulness. Sets at the lofty mainstage are a celebration of community, ceremony, and sound. Pool parties and swims out at the lake are soundtracked by takeovers from local electronic DJs and collectives.
With a lineup featuring a fusion of electronic and punk artists, collectives, and DJs from D.C. and its neighboring communities, the music is nearly non-stop. Starting Friday at 8 pm and ending in the early hours of Monday morning, festival-goers can spend time in between sets at the lofty mainstage immersing themselves in the natural world of the Blue Ridge Mountains or dining in the camp cafeteria with meal selections curated by a local chef (four meals are included in ticket price.)
The ethos of ZAPATEO is homegrown and handspun. Weekend highlights include a special live set by Dreamcastmoe, a punk showcase, and 40+ hours of live DJ sets. It’s a can’t miss for the open-minded and open-hearted curious about all things that move us.
