J.K. McKnight doesn’t look like your typical captain. He doesn’t don a sailor’s cap and he’s more likely to discuss environmental activism than wind patterns. But captain — or, rather, Forecastle Festival Captain — is exactly how McKnight, 26, describes himself.
He founded what he contends is the largest gathering of musicians, artists and activists in the Midwest in July 2002 and named it “Forecastle” after stumbling across the word (which denotes a superstructure at the bow of a ship where the crew is housed). “I knew I wanted something nautical, strong and bold,” says McKnight. “The word ‘castle’ jumped out at me since I just got back from Ireland, where I tried to visit every castle on the western coast,” he says. “I look at this whole adventure as being on a ship. If we all work together seamlessly and complement each other’s efforts, we’re going to go great places.”
Forecastle began as a free, outdoor local music festival at Tyler Park, within walking distance of McKnight’s home in the Highlands. “It was a completely grassroots effort,” he says. “All services were donated and all talent performed for free.” The graduate of St. Xavier High School coughed up the $500 needed to produce that first festival and approximately 200 people attended — just enough for McKnight to realize he was on to something. In five years, the event, set for July 27-28 on downtown’s Belvedere, has grown into a regional happening that equally represents music, art and activism.
“I didn’t want a music festival; I wanted something different,” McKnight says. “To this day I’ve never seen another festival do the same. Hopefully, Forecastle provides a Midwest beacon to people all over the region to express themselves and network with like-minded musicians, artists and environmental activists. There are 10 million people within three hours of Louisville. There’s no reason why we all can’t get together once a year and express ourselves.”
This year’s festival includes an art exhibit, independent film showcase, eco-business expo and panel discussions on topics ranging from green transportation to alternative energy. Musical headliners include De La Soul (Friday) and Girl Talk and Particle (Saturday), plus 40 other performers. Keynote speaker Skip Yowell co-founded Jansport and Big City Mountaineers.
McKnight, who is also a musician, has pressed the pause button on that career in favor of efforts to expand the festival to other regions in the U.S. “There are times in your life when you realize you have a golden opportunity, and you need to stop everything you’re doing and go for it,” he says.
For more information visit www.forecastlefest.com.
