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JAM CRUISE ANNOUNCES 10TH SAILING JANUARY 9-14, 2012

MSC Poesia, floating site of Jam Cruise 2012

JAM CRUISE ANNOUNCES 10TH SAILING!

PREMIER FLOATING MUSIC CRUISE SAILS JANUARY 9-14, 2012
WITH STOPS IN LABADEE, HAITI AND FALMOUTH, JAMAICA

JAM CRUISE’S CHARITY ARM, POSITIVE LEGACY, RAMPS UP FOR SECOND DECADE OF GOOD WORKS AND SERVICE

CABINS ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC
TUESDAY, MAY 24 AT NOON EST AT WWW.JAMCRUISE.COM

Few music gatherings can offer adventure in addition to entertainment, but Jam Cruise is a different EXPERIENCE than any other music event out there. Where else can one see the sunrise over a Caribbean island as you sing “You Are My Sunshine” with fifty strangers and roaming troubadours? See a herd of zebra-striped party people stampede down gangways? Hobnob with the inventors of funk and rock while they too have the time of their lives? Watch the best musicians on earth while percolating in a hot tub under blue skies on the open sea? The answer: nowhere else besides Jam Cruise!

The 10th sailing of Jam Cruise will be January 9 – 14, 2012, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and traveling to Labadee, Haiti and Falmouth, Jamaica before turning homeward. Once again, the MSC Poesia will be home to Jam Cruise 10. Cabins go on sale to the public Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at noon EST. Anyone who pre-booked will be able to book according to their assigned booking time beginning on May 11, 2011.

The10th sailing features long time live music favorites, emerging talent from the jam world and surprises around every corner, including an opportunity to give back to our global community.

Jam Cruise 10 Music Lineup

Umphrey’s McGee
Galactic
Keller & the Keels
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Toots & the Maytals
Soulive
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Railroad Earth
Ozomatli
The New Deal (final performance)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
EOTO
7 Walkers feat. Bill Kreutzmann, Papa Mali, Matt Hubbard & George Porter, Jr. w/ Steve Kimock
The New Mastersounds
Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ Set)
Perpetual Groove
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Toubab Krewe
Break Science w/ Chali 2na
George Porter & the Runnin’ Pardners
Orgone
Dr. Klaw
Surprise Me Mr. Davis
Dead Kenny G’s
The Heavy Pets
A Tribute to Sly & the Family Stone w/ Ivan Neville, Eric Krasno, Ian Neville, Adam Deitch, Nick Daniels & Nigel Hall
Tony Hall Super Jam
The Everyone Orchestra
Paper Diamond
DJ Logic
DJ Kraz
Special Guests:
Steve Kimock
Anders Osborne
Col. Bruce Hampton
Big Sam
Kyle Hollingsworth
Chali 2na
Jessica Lurie

With this being the 10th sailing, the vibe is set to be more magical than ever when the MSC Poesia departs Florida in January.

10 Great Reasons To Sail With Jam Cruise 10

1. Once in a lifetime musical experiences. The level of interaction between the seasoned legends and up and coming musicians on Jam Cruise 10, particularly in the nightly free-for-all that is The Jam Room, is sure to send folks home with minds blown from the utterly unexpected collaborations.

2. The luxury of having one’s own cabin, 24-hour food and drink, a hot shower and Jam Cruise TV programming that offers up daily photos and live video as the boat sails – all within steps of the music.

3. The beautiful private paradise of Labadee is a safe and remote area owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where lush rolling hills meet the sea. Labadee provides a platform for Jam Cruise to have a conscious beach party with music and fun while being able to give back to the people of Haiti at a time where the need is greater than ever. Positive Legacy is building strategic alliances with several major organizations and capitalizing on the space available on the ship to bring goods and services to benefit the victims of the devastating earthquake.

4. Shipboard workshops that get attendees involved in making music. Past workshops have included Robert Randolph, Steve Kimock and Luther Dickinson offering slide guitar tips, Cornmeal and Greensky Bluegrass leading folks in a classic rock song jam, Taylor Hicks hosting the Gong Show… Who knows what tricks the pros will lay on cruisers this year!

5. A ship full of concert going experts. This mecca for music lovers attracts attendees as dedicated as the programmed entertainment to making the very most of the five days on the water. Moreover, this is one of the most welcoming collections of humanity one could ever encounter. Those new to the Jam Cruise experience are ushered in and aided in their journey before the ship ever leaves port. JamBase wrote of Jam Cruise 9: “There is SO much positive energy, good will and creativity afloat on Jam Cruise that one’s faith in humanity’s potential is rekindled.”

6. The opportunity to visit one of Jamaica’s most interesting cities. Falmouth boasts a newly designed port, some of Jamaica’s earliest architecture and a vibrant market place.

7. Evening piano concerts in the ship’s atrium. The likes of Marco Benevento, ALO’s Zach Gill and WSP’s JoJo Hermann have all tickled the ivories for small, attentive audiences sipping cocktails on the spiral stairwell surrounding the clear-top baby grand.

8. Packed days of music. On days at sea, the action starts in the morning by the pool and doesn’t wrap until well after dawn in the disco, offering Jam Cruisers a chance to sunbathe and splash while marquee talent plays. On port days, the sail away party is always a high energy blast that carries the music into a long night of sets on multiple stages, as well as the Jam Room, disco and impromptu merriment popping off all around.

9. Regular opportunities to revel with one’s musical heroes. On Jam Cruise, the majority of the performers spend their non-stage time enjoying the ship’s thriving, loving community and many amenities. If you’ve always longed to shake the hand of the folks who make the music that informs your life, Jam Cruise is a chance to live that dream.

10. Shipboard activities and contests that let attendees be the star. From a yearly Talent Show to costume contests, Jam Cruise regularly shifts the spotlight to cruisers, giving them a forum to shine as they get their groove on!

Positive Legacy
In honor of the 10th sailing, Jam Cruise is embracing the opportunity to explore new places. Positive Legacy, the nonprofit organization whose goal is to leverage the power in the music industry to do good for others, is building strategic alliances with several major organizations and capitalizing on the space available on the ship to bring goods and services to benefit the people of this beautiful island nation. Positive Legacy has been a part of every Jam Cruise since 2004, bridging together musicians, fans and the greater global community in the places visited on all of Cloud 9’s adventures. Over the years they have serviced areas including: Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; a remote area in Belize; Turks & Caicos; and various places in Jamaica.

Attendees are encouraged to express the communal spirit of Jam Cruise by supporting the relief efforts and contributing to the most significant outreach to date. Stay tuned for big announcements as this project develops…

Pre-Cruise Shows, featuring 2 nights w/ Umphrey’s McGee
Get ready for Jam Cruise 10 with two nights of Umphrey’s McGee at Revolution Live! The shows will take place January 7th and 8th in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, just minutes from Port Everglades. Umphrey’s McGee will be joined on the 7th by Toubab Krewe, and on the 8th by The New Mastersounds.

###

About Jam Cruise
Celebrating its 10th Sailing this year, Jam Cruise has been a staple among music lovers all over the country and from around the world who desire a big festival experience in an intimate setting with the creature comforts of home. Nothing says comfort like a luxurious cruise ship and Jam Cruise has been fortunate to enjoy a great partnership with MSC Cruises, an upscale Italian cruise line that has hosted Jam Cruise for six of its past nine sailings. The music is practically continuous throughout the 5-day cruise, and the pleasure of a bar, bed or hot shower is just steps away from a half dozen venues. With two stops in the Caribbean, access to the artists, and a variety of workshops and activities, Jam Cruise is truly a floating musical paradise.

About Cloud 9 Adventures
Cloud 9 Adventures produces top-notch music events on cruise ships and at luxurious resorts around the world. Bringing you unparalleled music events in paradise, Cloud 9 Adventures sets the bar in the industry for the ultimate concert experience where everyone feels like a VIP with a backstage pass!

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Grateful Dead, Music News & Reviews, News, Top 10 Lists none

Top 10 Places to Rock Out on Halloween

September 30, 2010 No comments

No matter what you dress up as for Halloween, it’s all about where you show off that costume and dance the night away to some rockin’ music.  We’ve poked around and found 10 of the hottest places to go blow your musical mind on Halloween.

Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead

1. Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead, Yosemite, CA-  Tucked away on the edge of Yosemite National Park, Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead is set against a beautiful backdrop of central California’s natural wonders. Topping out the bill for the 5th Annual Las Tortugas are Yonder Mountain String Band, ALO, 7 Walkers (feat. Bill Kreutzmann, Papa Mali & George Porter Jr, The Mother Hips, Tea Leaf Green, New Monsoon, Cornmeal, Melvin Seals and JGB with Stu Allen.  That right there should get your juices pumping. http://lastortugasmusic.com/

Phish Festival 8 Halloween 2009

2.  PHISH in Atlantic City, NJ-  Phish’s Halloween show last year, Festival 8, is going to be hard to beat but somehow I bet Phish has something special in store for the 2010 “Mystery Album.”  Rockin’ to Phish in Atlantic City…sounds like a cocktail of overindulgence and pure bliss.  Where do I sign up?  http://phish.com/

String Cheese at Rothburty Music Festival 2009

3.  String Cheese Incident and the Disco Biscuits Hulaween, Hampton, Mass-  Previous SCI Halloweens have included a 2002 epic show in LA with Rod Roddy hosting the “Acadamummy Awards” with SCI playing covers from only dead rockstars.  The Disco Biscuits will open for String Cheese on October 29 and the group will play a three-set show on October 30. These will be String Cheese Incident’s final shows in 2010.  http://www.stringcheeseincident.com/

YouTube Preview Image

4.  Widespread Panic w/ Dirty Dozen Brass Band, New Orleans, LA- New Orleans is freaky enough at Halloween.  Introduce the Southern rockin’ jam sounds of WSP and you’ve got a cocktail for crazy.  No doubt this party will spill out into the French Quarter and go till the sun comes up and the ghosts return to the other side.  http://www.widespreadpanic.com

Voodoo Music Festival

5.  VooDoo Music Festival, New Orleans, LA-  It’s a split decision in the Big Easy this year.  If your inclinations lean more toward the high energy electronic sounds of DJ’s then VooDoo Music Festival will tip the scales for you.  Not to mention Ozzy Osborne headlining the three day scare-fest.  October 29-31.  http://www.thevoodooexperience.com/

Moogfest

6.  Moogfest, Ashville, NC- Moogfest, the annual event honoring the remarkable vision of Robert Moog and his amazing musical inventions that changed the course of music, is reinventing itself.  This year, Moogfest 2010 will move from New York City to Asheville, NC, the place Bob Moog called home for the last 30 years of his life, and will expand to a 3-day, multi-venue event during the weekend of October 29 -31, 2010. During the festival, Moogfest 2010 will host artists and audiences from throughout the world in different venues throughout Asheville’s beautiful, historic downtown.  http://www.moogfest.net

7.  Heaven & Hell, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA-  According to the event website, Heaven & Hell “will transform the Del Mar Fairgrounds into a Hell-acious trinity of ‘Heaven’, ‘Hell’, & ‘Purgatory’. With these 3 massive areas of nightmarish celebration, and the biggest talent line up San Diego has ever seen, this will be a halloween celebration of monstrous proportion!”  http://www.clubzone.com/events/313344/san-diego/del-mar-fairgrounds/heaven-and-hell-with-fedde-le-grand-wolfgang-gartner-joachim-gar

Night of the Living Zoo

8.  Night of the Living Zoo, Washington, D.C.-  A fiendishly festive time awaits at Magic Hat’s Night of the Living Zoo celebration at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Let Grace Potter and the Nocturnals guide you through the depths of darkest night as you peruse the zoo’s exhibits of Small Mammals, Great Apes and Invertebrates.  Sponsored by Magic Hat Beer, a truly delicious evening awaits the D.C. crowds.  http://www.magichat.net/nold/night-of-the-living-zoo

Sound Tribe Sector 9 Photo by Eric Rejman

9.  Sound Tribe Sector 9, Stubb’s BBQ, Austin, TX- October 30th, STS9 will invade Austin for a Halloween weekend show.  Mix the high energy electronic sounds of STS9 with the insanity that ensues around downtown Austin on Halloween and this might just be a weekend to of epic proportions.

Particle’s 10 Year Anniversary Tour

10.  Particle, Crested Butte, CO-  Wrapping up the first leg of their 10th Anniversary Tour on Halloween will no doubt be an amazing bookend to the much anticipated opener on October 6th in San Diego with Quactus.  http://www.particlepeople.com

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Top 10 Jamband Bars and Halls in Southern California

July 17, 2010 1 comment

Whether you live in So. California or are just visiting, the question of “Where do I catch a good show?” inevitably comes up.  An even better question is where do I go to see good jamband music.  With so many choices for places to see music in Southern California, here’s the list of the top places to see jam bands.

Listed in alphabetical order, we’ve picked our favorites based on location, acts booked, access, head-friendliness and of course bang for your buck.  Those that offer great food get some special love.

While some of these venues are small bars and others are large halls, they all have one thing in common…jamband love.

4th & B

1.  4th & B, San Diego:  Smack dab in the middle of downtown San Diego, 4th & B is a giant hall with a killer sound system.  General admission gives you a chance to get right up front by the stage.  Being in the Gas Lamp district, 4th & B gives you a chance to explore the hot spots in downtown San Diego before and after the shows.  It’s not too far from the water and plenty of lodging to choose from.  There’s an upstairs bar that may or may not be busy but isn’t likely to be as packed as downstairs.  While you’re up there take a peek over the railing and catch the show from the birds eye view.

Belly Up Tavern

2.  Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach:  Hosting the who’s who of the Jam Band world, The Belly Up Tavern continues to be one of the best venues in Southern California to see a show.  Rockin’ the coast since 1974, the Belly Up is a medium sized room with a cool decor.  Ticket prices vary but are rarely out of the budget.  Right on the main drag in Solana Beach, The Belly Up is walking distance from the Amtrack station.  You won’t even have to drive there.

Their restaurant, The Wild Note Cafe serves top notch eats.  Call ahead for reservations, the restaurant isn’t that big.

Blue Cafe Huntinton Beach

3.  The Blue Cafe, Huntington Beach:  You’d never expect the place next to the laundromat is a hot music venue.  Sitting right on PCH across from the beach doesn’t hurt this place’s popularity.  Formerly Kosmos, now the blue cafe hosts it’s fair share of hot local talent.  Their beer prices won’t kill you and the Japanese tappan grill next door is fantastic.

A word to the wise, if you’re going for a weekend show, get there early, the parking lot fills up quickly and you may find yourself hoofing it down PCH.  The beach across the street is open access if you feel like a dip late night after the show and of course there’s always Jack -In-The-Box to fill your late night appetite.  Dip into Things For Your Head, a cool little head shop in the same building. CLOSED

El Rey Theater

4.  The El Rey, Los Angeles:  In the heart of Mid-Wilshire district, the El Rey is a great hall to see a show.  Giant dance floor, great sound and art deco design.  It’s a good size hall with a small hall feel.  Gotta check out the ceiling and stash your gum, they’ll take it away from you at the door!

The trick to the El Rey is get there plenty early to tailgate in the parking lot behind Blockbuster Video across the street.  It’s usually somewhere around $5-$10 to park there but it’s well worth it because that’s where the it’s happening before and after the show.

Galaxy Theater

5.  Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana:  Located just off the 405 in Santa Ana, The Galaxy Theater nearly met it’s demise recently when it closed it’s doors for what was thought to be for good.  Thanks to a remodel and some folks willing to toss the dice again on this cool dinner theater venue, it’s once again hosting concerts.  A great big parking lot, dinner packages available and a regular booking of local and regional touring jambands earns the Galaxy it’s spot on the list.

The tip on the Galaxy is that if you blink you’ll miss it.  It doesn’t sit right on the main road, but rather behind an office building.  Look for the sign and turn in before you get there.  Once inside, pray they’ve got the middle bar open.  It’s rarely got a long line and beats the hell out of the one inside the music hall where you’ll wait forever for a bartender.  Even better, reserve a table.

Sainte Rocke

6.  Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach:  Formerly the king of all dive bars, The Pitcher House, Saint Rocke is anything but.  The recent remodel has brought the Hollywood bar feel to the South Bay.  Couches and dark lighting provide a relaxing place to chill with one of the many beers on tap.  They’ve got a full dinner menu and a hi-tech sound system.  Every Wednesday night they host the Sound Box, a collection of hot players from the area.

The biggest issue with Saint Rocke is parking.  There isn’t any.  They’ve got a tiny lot behind the place that holds maybe a dozen cars.  Because it’s right on PCH, those spots are often gone before you get there no matter how early.  Know this and plan accordingly.  Maybe carpool!

TRiP

7.  TRiP, Santa Monica, CA:  Located right on the main drag of Lincoln Blvd, TRiP is a Chicago bar with a jammy feel to it.  The owner is a real audiophile and has outfitted this small bar with a big hall sound system.  They host a wide variety of bands from the LA area and cover is usually low.  Drink prices are good too and they’ve got some good beers on tap.

The bathroom walls are covered in blackboards and chalk is provided for your graffiti enjoyment.  Feel free to write “I <3 Shakedown News” while you’re in there.  Don’t be discouraged by it’s size.  TRiP is a tiny bar with big heart.  There’s a menu that over stuffed NY deli sandwiches that are made fresh in house and are really good.

8. Yost Theater, Santa Ana, CA:  A new addition to the line-up of cool places to see a show, The Yost Theater in Santa Ana is a landmark right in the downtown of the hub of Orange County, CA.  www.yosttheater.com

Wiltern Theater

9.   The Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles:  A great music hall in the heart of Los Angeles that has hosted some of the best touring jambands around including SCI, Widespread Panic, Ratdog, Trey and Wilco.  The Wiltern is a big house with lots of options.  If you get there early enough and have a floor ticket, you can stand in line for a wristband and get in the pit.  Definitely a primo position if you don't mind being ass to elbow with the folks around you.  For a little elbow room to groove or you've opted for the often less expensive balcony seats, head upstairs and it's a whole new world.  Seats to chill, a view of the whole place including the cool ceiling.  Don't freak out and think its an earthquake when the balcony starts bouncing.  It does that.

Parking tip:  The parking structure next door is where the party is before the show and after.  Top floor is the key.  Don't get stuck in the lower levels.  Go early, park on top.

Winston's Ocean Beach

10.  Winston's, Ocean Beach:  Smack dab in the heart of hippie heaven, Ocean Beach, and right down the street from Sea World in San Diego, Winston's hosts some of the best So. Cal talent mixed with some major touring acts.  Because of it's location, Winston's is surrounded by a cool scene with lots of great food and lodging to choose from.  Big dance floor, low ticket prices and  a hippie friendly environment.

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