Black Crowes

Gathering of the Vibes is only two weeks away from its 18th year, returning once again to the water’s edge at Bridgeport, Connecticut’s 370-Acre Seaside Park. Weekend Camping Passes are currently priced at $225. Single Day Tickets and Single Day VIPs can also be purchased.

Walkarusa. Mudarusa. Funarusa. There are lots of alternative names for Wakarusa here on Mulberry Mountain. Although most of them aren’t very clever we use the names anyway. So far, it’s been more Mudarusa than anything. But I’ve only been here a mere day, and I can’t wait to see what this weekend gives us!

I’m coming up on my fourth Wakarusa, and it’s hard to put into words exactly what I’m the most excited about because I just come into the festival KNOWING I’m going to have a great time. Each and every year the festival grows, and I can’t wait to see what all is on-site for the 10th festival, taking place on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark. May 30 to June 2.

Here are the top five things you can expect from the festival:

1. Classics from your favorite artists

This year seems to have introduced more new music festivals than ever. In a sea of established fests and emerging talent, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd. BottleRock Napa, however, seems to have it all figured out. (Wine Enthusiast Magazine has already named it one of the top five music and wine festivals in the nation!)

The 18th annual Gathering of the Vibes announces their initial line-up, keeping their track record – for nearly two decades as the premier music, arts and camping festival in the Northeast.

For THE BLACK CROWES, it's always been about musical exploration, and on their “Lay Down With Number 13” world tour in 2013, for which tickets go on sale January 11 at 10:13 AM LOCAL TIME, they'll keep their shows as fresh as ever.

THE BLACK CROWES will return to the road in 2013 with their “Lay Down With Number 13” world tour. The first leg will encompass dates in the U.K. March 24-30 and the U.S. April 2- May 4. Tickets for this first leg go on sale Friday, January 11 at 10:13 AM LOCAL TIME and ticket link information will be available on Tuesday, January 1 here. Additional dates will be announced soon.

Chris Robinson, front man for The Black Crowes, has been touring around with a band he calls The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. It’s wonderful to see such a prominent figure like Robinson play in intimate venues like the Fox, close up, starting from scratch. The Brotherhood sounds a lot like The Grateful Dead.

I woke up in Grand Teton National Park to the sounds of crazy mountain birds, and was glad not to have been eaten by bears or wolves during the night. The festival itself provides no camping but there is plenty to be found in the park and in the surrounding forests. On the drive to the festival grounds, I saw a moose, and nearly 30 people taking a picture of it. There was a lot to look forward to, and anyway I've seen moose before, so I didn't stop until I hit Teton Village.

Summer seems to be coming quickly to a close, and the end of festival season is in sight.  This summer was somewhat special, as I was able to witness the birth of two new music festivals onto the scene.  In July it was the mega-sized Mile High Music Festival, and on August 16th and 17th the smaller, cozier Jackson Hole Music Festival.