[custom_adv] A music festival is a community event oriented towards live performances of singing and instrument playing that is often presented with a theme such as musical genre (e.g., blues, folk, jazz, classical music), nationality, or locality of musicians, or holiday. [custom_adv] Some festivals are focused on women’s music. They are commonly held outdoors, with tents or roofed temporary stages for the performers. [custom_adv] Often music festivals host other attractions such as food and merchandise vending, dance, crafts, performance art, and social or cultural activities. [custom_adv] At music festivals associated with charitable causes, there may be information about social or political issues. [custom_adv] Many festivals are annual, or repeat at some other interval. Some, including many rock festivals, are held only once. [custom_adv] Some festivals are organized as for-profit concerts and others are benefits for a specific charitable cause. [custom_adv] Another type of music festival is the educative type, organized annually in local communities, regionally, or nationally, for the benefit of amateur musicians of all ages and grades of achievement. [custom_adv] Another type of music festival is the music education type, often organized annually in local communities, regionally, or nationally, for the benefit of amateur musicians of all ages and grades of achievement. [custom_adv] Entrants perform prepared pieces or songs in front of an audience which includes competitors, family and friends, and members of the community, along with one or more adjudicators or judges. [custom_adv] These adjudicators, who may be music teachers, professors, or professional performers, provide verbal and written feedback to each performer or group. [custom_adv] The adjudicator may be someone whom they might never meet in any other way, as is the case when an adjudicator from another city is brought in to judge. [custom_adv] They also usually receive a certificate, classified according to merit or ranking, and some may win trophies or even scholarships. [custom_adv] The competitive element is often played down, however, as the important aspect is that participants can learn from one another.