I had the pleasure of attending the Gem and Jam Festival in Tuscon, Arizona, last weekend. This was my third time going, and it was certainly the best experience I have had there, yet. This year, the venue was moved to a new (hopefully permanent) location, at the Pima Fairgrounds. This was certainly more pleasing compared to year past in many aspects. Perhaps the best improvement in my eyes was that Gem and Jam had finally become a camping festival!
Without a doubt, the number one thing that made me want to come back this year was the art. Gem and Jam has more live painters than any festival I’ve ever attended; and yes, they’re all very good at what they do. I easily spent more than half my time there walking around and individually inspecting each piece. Much of the art is so detailed that a glance just won’t cut it.
The imagery wasn’t limited to two dimensions, either. Many of the artists had projection mapping set up, allowing for moving and 3-dimensional pieces to be showcased throughout the venue. I expect this to become more of a normal thing to see, along with virtual reality demonstrations (which were also present at the event).
Given the name of the festival, one can expect to see a plethora of talented jam bands on the Gem and Jam 2017 lineup. I’d imagine many people attended just to see Mike Gordon (of Phish), or one of the few side projects consisting of members from The String Cheese Incident. To add to that, when bands like Lotus, EOTO and The Floozies are present, you’re guaranteed to be moving your feet quite a bit. There was also an amazing variety of electronic and hip-hop acts spread throughout the various stages, (which added up to a total of 4 different ones, doubling the amount in previous years).
Now, I can’t say that I’ll ever be one to have dreadlocks, but I must say that the energy and kindness of this crowd (which possessed many of dreadlocks) is one that I’ve come to appreciate immensely. Don’t expect to find any drunken frat types running around here. There is a peaceful vibe Gem and Jam, one that comes alive from many of its “enlightened” attendees.
I found myself in constant, and often lengthy conversations as I strolled around the festival grounds. It reminded me what makes events like this truly special, and just why they are the perfect get-away from your normal life. This mid-winter festival appeals to the masses because of it versatile musical arsenal and a wide range of vibes (all positive). Feel free to bring your kids and dogs, as well, because Gem and Jam caters to all walks of life! You can expect nothing but friendliness, and hugs instead of handshakes. You can also expect to find me there because I know I will be returning for years to come. See you at Gem and Jam Festival 2018!