It could be musical Eden: 2,500 attendees on a bluff overlooking the emerald hills of nearby Cape Breton (Neil Young's summer haunt). It's "the way Woodstock used to be," says Jonas Colter, the organic farmer who runs this ten-year-old festival showcasing up-and-coming experimental, hip-hop, bluegrass, and world acts.
Don't Miss Mishka, Australian did­geridoo master Xavier Rudd, and the concerts in the yurts, especially Gratefully Deadicated Sound­system, who mix Dead samples with techno beats till around sunrise. Three days, $85; evolvefestival.com.
Intermission Sea-kayak the North­um­ber­land Strait ($50 per day; coastalspirit­expeditions.com).
Also This Month 10,000 Lakes, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (July 22–25).