Gathering of the Vibes Fest Celebrates Jerry Garcia's Birthday 7/29

The fifteenth annual Gathering of the Vibes will begin next Thursday, July 29, at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. The four-day festival anticipates 20,000-plus attendees per day. This year's Vibes will be a weekend-long celebration of Jerry Garcia's life. Fittingly, August 1, the last day of the festival, would have been the Grateful Dead leader's 68th birthday. The lineup offers more than forty bands on three stages, and includes the only festival appearance this year of all surviving members of the Grateful Dead with their respective bands: Phil Lesh and Bob Weir with Furthur, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart as the Rhythm Devils, and the Donna Jean Godchaux Band.

Among the 40+ acts performing are Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jimmy Cliff; newly reunited Primus with Les Claypool; Damian Marley and Nas; Robert Randolph and the Family Band; The Radiators; Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings; Little Feat; New Riders of the Purple Sage; Beastie Boys' DJ "Mix Master Mike; Steve Kimock's Crazy Engine; Umphrey's McGee; Martin Sexton featuring The Ryan Montbleau Band; Dark Star Orchestra; and many more. Hippie Icon Wavy Gravy will once again serve as master of ceremonies.

Gathering of the Vibes music festival features four days of car-side camping for all ages, with on-site food and beverage; arts and crafts vendors; Kids Corner; Teen Scene; a non-profit organization village; and "Greenvibes" environment with an aggressive on-site recycling campaign. Seaside Park is conveniently located off I-9 5 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is easily accessible by Metro-North and Amtrak trains.

Tickets: A limited number of single-day tickets, weekend camping passes and VIP packages remain available online, and at the gate day of show. When accompanied by a parent or guardian, kids 12 and under get in free all weekend. For tickets or information, go to GOVIBES.COM or call Gathering of the Vibes Festival 2010 Headquarters at 203.908.3030.