My colleague Aaron Mesh believes all movies should be set in old, dilapidated amusement parks. I second that opinion, and add this one: All music festivals should also take place in old, dilapidated amusement parks.

Coachella probably isn't relocating to Knott's Berry Farm any time soon, but at least us in the Portland area can enjoy the surreal, slightly creepy experience of watching bands perform against the backdrop of rickety rollercoasters and weird, fairy tale themed attractions. On August 5, Salem's Enchanted Forest--home to the Northwest's biggest log ride and the spectacularly frightening Storybook Lane--plays host to the second annual Great Idea Festival. Last year's inaugural installment featured sets from Typhoon, Wampire and Skeletron, among others. For 2011, organizer Doug Hoffman has raised the bar (and the average age of the performers), with headliners the Dandy Warhols and K Records founder/ex-Beat Happening frontman Calvin Johnson. Other confirmed acts include Brainstorm, Jared Mees and The Grown Children, Symmetry/Symmetry, Sons of Huns, Sexy Water Spiders, Massive Moth, Youth and Hello Electric.

More information, courtesy of festival sponsor Salem Weekly:



Tickets are $20 for the full event (includes park admission), and will be available at Ranch Records (237 High St. NE) and at Enchanted Forest (8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner). The performances listed above will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at four different locations throughout the park, but there will be free acoustic performances (with park admission: $9.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 3-12 and senior citizens, and free for children two-and-under) in the afternoon during regular park hours. ...  For Great Idea ticket information, contact organizer Doug Hoffman at 503-507-5698 or e-mail him at thespaceistheplace@gmail.com.