Stay tuned in with band festival Web site

A week ahead of its regularly scheduled date, comes the fun and entertainment of Danville's coveted brass band extravaganza, the Great American Brass Band Festival.

GABBF lovers can tune into the festival all year around via the festival's virtual homestead on the Internet at http://www.gabbf.com.

To go along with the festive memorabilia, the Web site has taken on a new look and feel for this year's festivities.

The site was initially launched in 1996 by the Advocate to provide brass lovers with the most comprehensive Web site for the festival.

The site is organized in a user-friendly fashion. For instance, if you went to the site looking for information about this year's festival, you can find everything you need, from the schedule of events and festival articles to a printable order form, by clicking on the GABBF 1998 button. Wondering about the host band? Just click on the button that says Advocate Brass Band.

Note: Advocate Brass Band Web site has been moved to a new location. Its new address is at http://www.gabbf.com/abb/advocate.html. Please update your bookmarks.

Other features on the GABBF site include:
* The Chautauqua Tea featuring the prelude to the festival held the Thursday before the festival.
* Directions to Danville that also include a venue map of the festival site.
* Photo Gallery features submitted photos of past festivals.
* Band History Conference spotlights conference information, the schedule and a printable registration form.
* Area Sights to See offers information about area historic sites.
* Featured Band spotlights randomly selected brass bands.
* The Bands section features the current year's performers, includes background information, photos and links to their Web pages if available.
* Dine & Recline serves up suggestions on things to see and do during festival downtime.
* GABBF Archives features things from past festivals including posters, logos and Festival Guides.
* Brass Links offers links to brass-related Web sites.

Visitors may also read about the tour the festival went on in the GABBF On Tour section.

Also included on the site are a Guest Book and information about the Great American Picnic.

Future additions to the site will include the opening of the Interact section featuring live chat.