Gem & Jam Festival Preview
Feb 12,13, 14, 2016
Tucson, AZ
It is an exciting time for music fans, because there are more festivals than ever to attend. Not only is the summer jam-packed with excitement, there are now a plethora of events taking place in the winter and early spring. With so many festivals to choose from, attendees are looking for a unique experience in addition to a great lineup of music. Gem and Jam Festival offers an escape from the cold of winter and the multiple day outdoor festival experience that we are craving in the off season. Taking place in Tucson, AZ, during the famous annual Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase, Gem & Jam is so much more than a music festival. It is an attraction for mineral enthusiasts, art lovers, and music lovers alike.
Infinite Music, Euphonic Conceptions, New Earth MuZIQ and Challenger presents the 10th Annual Gem and Jam Festival takes place February 12th, 13th, and 14th, 2016. The festival was founded by gem and mineral enthusiast Toby White, who was attending the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase annually with his friends. Each night after the gem shows, they would be looking for something fun to do and music to see, but didn’t find many options. Thus the idea for a music festival coinciding with the gem shows was born.
The crossover of music lovers and gem enthusiasts are huge, so the idea for a festival just makes sense. When I asked Gem and Jam Festival organizer Dave of Euphonic Conceptions why he thinks these two passions make such a good match, he responded “It’s about lifestyle and worldview – those with similar tastes, lifestyles, and world views often gravitate towards things that they all enjoy, and we strive to make Gem & Jam an ideal common ground for a meeting of the minds.” Interests in the earth, the arts, music, handmade jewelry, healing, learning, and camaraderie connect all of us in the festival community and bring fans of each interest from all walks of life.
Their lineup has always included some of the hottest acts on the festival scene in varying genres of electronic, jam, jam-tronica, and funk, and visual arts are emphasized as much as the music. In past years, visionary artists Alex and Allyson Grey were headliners of the event. This year the music lineup is bigger and better than ever, with acts like Beats Antique, Lettuce, The Polish Ambassador, and Nahko and Medicine for the People. It will truly be a feast for the eyes and ears, offering attractions such as crystal, gem, mineral, and jewelry vendors (as well as other vendors), live painting, art installations, performances, and visuals by Johnathan Singer, who has provided visuals for Tipper and Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well.
Tickets are on sale now in GA and VIP, with the option of hotel packages with your VIP ticket. VIP tickets include extras such as hats, hat pins, shirts, VIP lounge access, and late night show tickets. We love that they name their VIP packages after crystals (Tourmaline, Aquamarine, and Smokey Quartz) and also that they offer payment plans (VIP only). You can purchase tickets and learn more at gemandjamfestival.com.
