Gathering of the Vibes 2010 marks the third installment of a five-year contract with the city of Bridgeport to host the annual music, arts and camping festival at Seaside Park through summer 2012. After drawing 20,000 revelers per day to the 370-acre venue last year, the city and festival organizers look to spread more positive Vibes in 2010. This all-ages, family-friendly event will be held from July 29 to August 1. The festival caters to both weekend campers and single-day guests; both will have access to the park, including its shaded groves, manicured fields and more than a mile of Long Island Sound beachfront.
The initial 2010 lineup includes the reunion of LES CLAYPOOL’S PRIMUS, reggae legend and 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inductee JIMMY CLIFF, Grateful Dead’s MICKEY HART and BILL KREUTZMANN’S RHYTHM DEVILS featuring KELLER WILLIAMS, reggae sensation DAMIAN MARLEY with special guest hip-hop icon NAS, pedal steel guitar master ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND, New Orleans funk outfit GALACTIC, and many, many more!
Other confirmed artists include Steve Kimock Crazy Engine; Umphrey’s McGee; Beastie Boys’ DJ “Mix Master Mike”; Jackie Greene Band; Little Feat; Martin Sexton featuring The Ryan Montbleau Band; New Riders of the Purple Sage; Donna Jean Godchaux; Dark Star Orchestra; Zach Deputy; Big Sam’s Funky Nation; and Max Creek. The Sunday-night headliner and Green Vibes Stage artist announcements are forthcoming.
Since its inception, Gathering of the Vibes and its fans have made “giving back” a priority through their support of numerous social causes. In 2008 and 2009 combined festival organizers have donated more than $125,000 to local Bridgeport charities, the Connecticut Special Olympics and many other worthy not-for-profit organizations. In 2009, festival attendees donated 5,500 pounds of non-perishable items to local and state food banks. The festival’s bold “Green Vibes” environmental initiative ranges from an aggressive on-site recycling campaign to educating fans on the current research and development being done, and the progress being made in the field of alternative energy.
Gathering of the Vibes began in 1996 as a celebration of the life of Jerry Garcia, who passed away the previous summer. Initially named “Deadhead Heaven”, the festival provides an annual forum for fans from across the country to remember the countercultural icon. In each of its past fourteen years, Gathering of the Vibes has paired legendary artists with emerging acts to appeal to a wide cross-section of live-music fans.
WHAT: Fifteenth Annual Gathering of the Vibes Festival
WHEN: July 29 – August 1, 2010
WHERE: Seaside Park, Bridgeport, CT
INFO: www.GOVIBES.com
TICKETS: A limited number of Weekend Camping Passes are on sale for $165; VIP Passes for $420. Single-day tickets will be available when the final band schedule is announced next month. For tickets and information go to www.GatheringoftheVibes.com or call Vibes HQ at 203.908.3030.
