Ticket sales are underway for the 6th annual SONIC BLOOM, an electronic music and arts festival scheduled to take place in Georgetown, CO on June 24-26, 2011.

Tucked away in the gorgeous landscapes of the Colorado Rockies, SONIC BLOOM has been a destination for die-hard music enthusiasts and artists, alike, for the past six years running. Intimate, and enchanting, the festival's allure has spread, attracting attendees from around the world.

SONIC BLOOM has become synonymous with cutting edge electronic music. Stars are born in this mountainous enclave - the vanguards on the scene today have all come through SONIC BLOOM, at some point, and this year is no different. The lineup tips its hat to the pioneers, veterns and the hottest newcombers in the industry including headliners EOTO, TIPPER SOUND EXPERIENCE, MALA (one-half of original UK dubstep explorers Digital Mystikz), VibeSquaD, Random Rab, Zilla, MartyParty, Heyoka, An-ten-nae, David Starfire, LYNX, Break Science, Janover, SPL, Gramatik, NastyNasty and more than 50 other innovative electronic artists.

Picturesque doesn't even begin to describe SONIC BLOOM's new home. Located less than an hour from Denver in Georgetown, CO, Shadows Ranch provides the perfect setting for a weekend of musical, artistic, and spiritual exploration. The ranch is literally in the shadows of giant, granite behemoths at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. A river flows through the site, with its clear pond, lush grassy fields and shady campgrounds only a short distance from the stages. Plenty of parking will be available onsite as well.

More than just music, SONIC BLOOM will cater to each of your senses. Relax, invigorate, and expand your mind and body with morning yoga sessions, exotic foods, incredible art, and fascinating workshops. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and generally show off their skills. If you juggle, spin fire, or are a live painter, come on up. SONIC BLOOM wants you to be a part of the show in the crisp mountain air.

To gear up for the festival a number of coast to coast festivals have been planned including two events that completely SOLD-OUT in Denver and Dallas as well as another two pre-party events to come in San Francisco on Friday, May 20th at 103 Folsom and again in New York City on June 11th.

Catch some of the biggest names in electronic music, and tomorrow's dance friendly superstars under the majesty of the Rockies and engage in the ultimate intimate, boutique festival experience that is SONIC BLOOM. For artist line up, ticketing and visual performance information check out http://www.sonicbloomfestival.com

We certainly set out running and we took our time! Once the board determined who was to receive it, consensus was unanimous.

The Rex Foundation is pleased to award Jorma Kaukonen the 2009 Ralph J. Gleason Award for a scholarship program at Fur Peace Ranch to serve Appalachian youth. The $10,000 award is in memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a major figure in the advancement of music in America in the 1960s, whose openness to new music and ideas transcended differences between generations and styles.

Founding Rex board member, Jerry Garcia, and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen were peers in the Haight Ashbury days of 1960s San Francisco. Their respective bands, Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, exemplified the San Francisco Sound. Both musicians were pickers, that is they loved to play. Jerry and Jorma both taught guitar. Jerry gave lessons at Dana Morgan's Music Store in Menlo Park near Palo Alto south of San Francisco. Jorma continues to teach at the 116 acre Fur Peace Ranch which he and wife Vanessa created in South Ohio on the edge of Appalachia. According to Jorma, "Fur Peace Ranch is a ranch that grows guitar players." Classes and workshops are held throughout the summers with instructors who are also world class musicians. Fur Peace Ranch accommodates budding musicians of all skill levels. Jorma Kaukonen continues to perform with fellow musician, Jack Casady, in Hot Tuna.

The Rex Foundation gratefully acknowledges the contribution Jorma has made to a vast community of music lovers, musicians and underserved youth who will continue to be nurtured with this award.

Furthering what the Grateful Dead started 26 years ago, the Rex Foundation endeavors to fund grassroots programs that are often under the radar of larger funding entities, yet work in bold, innovative ways to carry out essential work toward a healthy environment, promotion of the arts, protection of indigenous cultures, assisting others less fortunate, building strong communities and educating children and adults everywhere.  The Rex Foundation has distributed $8.6 million in grants to over 1,000 program across the U.S. and internationally, while also carrying out initiatives that foster creativity and positive community connections.

Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch will host multi-faceted performer, guitarist, and songwriter David Gans Friday, September 28 through Monday, October 1 for a series of intimate instructional sessions on electric and acoustic guitar looping techniques.

"I got the loop device as a way of enriching my solo performances," Gans explains. "I wanted to be able to record the chord changes of the song so I could play a guitar solo over top. But once I had that thing on the floor in front of me, I began to explore the creative possibilities. Now I'm able to improvise multi-layered musical structures onstage - and some of them become compositions after I get them into the studio for editing and analysis."

This first-hand workshop provides instruction in the use of a loop device as both an accompaniment for singer-songwriters and for the creation of multi-layered improvisations. Participating students need to bring a guitar that plugs in (acoustic or electric), and a Boss RC-20XL or RC-2 Loop Station.

For his live performances, Gans equips himself only with his sturdy baritone, a guitar and a pedal-controlled looping setup, the sum of which sounds anything but unaccompanied. Aside from these "solo" performances, Gans has performed with such legendary artists as Phil Lesh, Railroad Earth, Donna the Buffalo, New Riders of the Purple Sage, The String Cheese Incident, moe. and dozens of others. He has also written songs with a host of others, including Jim Page, Lorin Rowan, and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

Conceived in 1989 by Jorma & Vanessa Kaukonen, The Fur Peace Ranch is nestled in the rolling foothills of southeast Ohio.  Over time it has evolved into an idyllic landscape of neatly arrayed cabins, workshop space, library, store, dining hall, plus a theater that hosts concerts performed by world-class musicians.

For class registration, please visit: www.furpeaceranch.com. For sample music and video along with further information on David Gans, please visit:  www.dgans.com.