With 25,000 attendees expected per day, the 16^th Annual Gathering of the Vibes music, arts and camping festival and the City of Bridgeport prepare for larger than expected crowds along the 370-acre waterfront of Seaside Park.

“We are working with the city parks department to make sure that everybody who comes to the Vibes has an amazing experience,” says festival promoter Ken Hays.  “We’ve secured more parking lots, shuttle buses, porto-lets and increased safety patrols,” Hays added.

The Vibes 2011 line-up includes Los Angeles rockers Jane’s Addiction, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, FURTHUR featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Dr. John & the Lower 911, The Taj Mahal Trio, Levon Helm Band, Toots and the Maytals, Tedeschi Trucks Band and moe. alongside 50 bands performing on 4 stages. The complete schedule of performances can be found at www.GOVIBES.com.

What differentiates the Vibes from other music festivals is its multi-generational fan base. With so much global uncertainty flooding the air waves, the festival offers families an opportunity to get away and reflect upon what’s truly important; family, friends, live music and community.  Last year, 2,300 children accompanied their parents to the musical retreat. Gathering of the Vibes 2011 proudly partners with the nation’s top performance based musical academy, School of Rock, and also KORG USA, Lag Guitars, Vox, Blackstar, and Zildjian to create a truly interactive Rock and Roll performance space for kids and their parents to enjoy.  This year, Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by parents, and on Sunday, “Family Day at the Vibes,” kids 15 and under are admitted free of charge.

Vibes continues to “give back” to the local Bridgeport community in the form of a $100,000 donation that facilitated the construction of a splash pad on the city’s east end.  A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 15^th, celebrating the official opening of the water park just in time for families not fortunate enough to have parks and playgrounds within walking distance.

“Giving back has always been important an important part of the Vibes and the response to the water park has been overwhelming,” shared Hays.  “There are so many needs in the community and in the words of Jerry Garcia, “you just gotta’ poke around” to find a way to make a positive difference.”

Gathering of the Vibes began in 1996 as a celebration of the life of Jerry Garcia who had passed away the previous summer. Initially named “Deadhead Heaven,” the festival continues to be an annual forum for fans across the country to remember the counter-cultural icon.  Gathering of the Vibes combines legendary artists with emerging acts to appeal to a wide cross-section of live music enthusiasts.

Although VIP tickets are sold out, a limited number of camping tickets and single day passes are still available at prices ranging from $20 on Sunday for Connecticut residents to $225 for the full weekend camping package. Ticket prices and information can be found at www.GOVIBES.com.

For the seventh time in as many years, the Mimi Fishman Foundation is conducting an on-line auction to benefit 

• auction
• autographed
• a wavy
• birdhouse
• Charity
• deck
• earth
• edition shaun
• experience
• fishman
• foundation
• gathering
• gravy
• includes
• limited
• Newswire
• rare
• skateboard
• until monday
• vibes
• white

The Gathering has garnered early support from Pitchfork, NPR, The Fader, The NME and Stereogum. In November, Arbouretum released new album details and a live video for "When Delivery Comes".  While Pitchfork broke the news of the new LP and premiered the video, both The Fader and NPR picked up the news, posted the new acoustic video, and set the tone for this truly amazing album.

The Gathering, was to a large extent, inspired by The Red Book by Carl Jung, or more specifically, Jung’s pursuit of the inner images that led to the book’s writing. Dave Heumann has long been a fan of experiences that surpass comprehension and describe the numinous. The narrative of “losing one’s way and finding it again” resonated deeply and it was in this context that the songs that comprise The Gathering came to be.  The attention to detail in recording and in writing, in concert with the performance, result in the other-worldly experience of The Gathering.

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US Winter 2011 Tour:

Feb 13  Baltimore, MD   Ottobar Upstairs w/Secret Mountains

Feb 17  San Diego, CA   Tin Can Ale House w/Endless Boogie

Feb 19  Santa Cruz, CA  105 Pioneer w/Endless Boogie

Feb 20  San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern w/Endless Boogie

Feb 22  Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret w/Endless Boogie, Nathan Wheeler

Feb 23  Olympia, WA Northern w/Endless Boogie, Eternal Tapestry

Feb 24  Portland, OR Mississippi Studios w/Endless Boogie, Eternal Tapestry

Feb 26  Seattle, WA Comet Tavern w/Endless Boogie, Eternal Tapestry

Feb 28  Oakland, CA  TBA w/Endless Boogie

Mar 1   Los Angeles, CA The Satellite w/Endless Boogie

Mar 5   Baltimore, MD 2640 Space w/Future Islands, Celebration

Gathering of the Vibes, the Northeast’s acclaimed music festival destination, will “bring the magic” once again with a 4-day extravaganza of eclectic music, arts and community, July 21-24, 2011 at Connecticut’s magnificent Seaside Park.

The 16th annual Gathering of the Vibes kicks off the holidays on ‘Black Tie Dye Friday’ (Nov. 26), when Early Bird and VIP tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for all gift-buyers and festival goers ready to start their summer vacation planning. Early Bird camping packages will be available for a limited time at $150, a sizeable savings over the gate price, through GoVibes.com. With only 15,000 camping spaces available, these tickets will go fast. RV passes are also available on a first come basis. No camping, no problem. Travel packages for non-campers include Holiday Inn Bridgeport offering free shuttle service to and from the festival.

Schmooze and mingle with artists in the VIP hospitality tent (located right on the field). A very limited number of VIP packages will be available and include: expedited exclusive entry, rock-star parking, shaded camping area along with catered meals, snacks and beverages. VIPers also have access to private bathrooms and hot showers all weekend long.

Seaside Park, Bridgeport, CT's 370-acre crown jewel and sparkling beachfront destination, celebrates its eighth year hosting the festival. An unparalleled festival home just 50 miles from New York City, the park boasts acres of beautifully manicured fields, and breathtaking views. The Vibes is an all ages, family friendly event, offering an exclusive family camping area, Kids Corner and Teen Scene, welcoming both campers and single day visitors. Kids 12 & under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The rumor mill is swirling with artist announcements around the corner. Gathering of the Vibes promises its most spectacular and diverse lineup to date, delivering over 40 hours of music on multiple stages. Powerhouse Vibes alumni include: The Allman Brothers, Crosby Stills & Nash, Furthur with Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, James Brown, The Black Crowes, and Damian Marley and Nas, alongside breakout acts like Umphrey’s McGee, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Jackie Greene, and tri-state favorites The McLovins. The Vibes also warmly embraces new, virtually unknown artists, who may submit music for consideration at GoVibes.com.

Gathering of the Vibes continues to thrive in challenging economic times, welcoming 30,000 fans, reuniting with their musical community and paying it forward. “Each year I am amazed at the spirit, the kindness that emanates from the Vibe Tribe,” commented Ken Hays, founder of the Vibes. “Our fans are dedicated, even at a time when concert ticket sales are down across the country, they continue to bring it.”

Fan support is not limited to ticket sales; it extends out to the Vibes’ many charitable causes. Last year’s charitable efforts raised $75,000 for an inner-city splash pad, and $25,000 for the families of fallen Bridgeport firefighters. The Vibes is a steward for the environment, demonstrating how to reduce carbon emissions, showcasing alternative energies, and returning the park to pristine condition in days after the event through progressive recycling initiatives. The Vibes continues to give back to the community by creating employment opportunities and offering reduced ticket prices for Bridgeport residents.

Follow Gathering of the Vibes on Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace or check the message boards for the most updated festival information.

Read lots Grateful Web coverage of Gathering of the Vibes here.

Gathering of the Vibes, the largest and most-respected Music, Arts and Camping Festival in the Northeast, is thrilled to return to Seaside Park, on the shores of Long Island Sound in Bridgeport, CT, July 29 through August 1. This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of “The Vibes” and the fifth time it will be hosted in the Park City.  In 2009, the festival was attended by 20,000 revelers per day at the 370-acre waterfront venue.  The Vibes is an all-ages, family-friendly event that caters to both weekend campers and single-day guests; both have access to the park's shaded groves, manicured fields and more than a mile of Long Island Sound beachfront.

The final addition to the jam-packed lineup of artists includes Friday’s 2-set, headlining performance by FURTHUR, featuring the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. Gathering of the Vibes executive producer Ken Hays is delighted by the pairing.  “Phil and Bob have graced our stage with their own bands for many years, but to have them both perform together with this powerful and inspirational band is a dream come true.”  The band's ensemble includes Jeff Chimenti on keys, John Kadlecik on lead guitar and Joe Russo on drums.

Gathering of the Vibes 2010 spotlights more than forty bands on three stages and features a reunited Les Claypool and 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 with 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 superstars Galactic; Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings; and The Radiators.

Additional main stage and "late night" stage performers include Steve Kimock’s 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 Connecticut's own Max Creek and Deep Banana Blackout.

The Green Vibes stage offers an eclectic lineup of up-and-comers, as well as festival mainstays, in a more personal and intimate atmosphere.  Artists include David Gans; King For A Day; Lubriphonic; Turbine; Kung Fu; Caravan of Thieves; Quinn Sullivan; McLovins; Waylon Speed; Macpodz; Hot Day at the Zoo; Kicking Daisies; Jamie McLean Band; Leroy Justice; The Trapps; Billy Simons; Bronze Radio Return; Band Together; Christopher Robin Band; and Andy The Music Man.  All weekend long The Primate Fiasco will be wandering the festival site serenading the attendees.

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 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 solutions.

Gathering of the Vibes began in 1996 as a celebration of the life of Jerry Garcia, who had 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 enthusiasts.

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 $197.50; VIP Passes are $420. Friday and Saturday Single-Day Tickets are available for $65 per day when purchased in advance; Sunday Tickets are $50.  For tickets and information go to www.gatheringofthevibes.com or call Vibes HQ at 203.908.3030.