10 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Miss The Blueberry Jam October 12, 2016 14:58

Photo by Michelle Carroll Stancil: The Southern Rambler

With this weekend's festival at Weeks Bay Plantation fast approaching, we felt that it would be appropriate to lay out just ten of the many reasons why you don't want to miss The Blueberry Jam.  With everything from live music and camping to local vendors, live painting, this festival offers something for just about everyone.  The Blueberry Jam is proud to be a family-friendly occasion, with kids ages 12 and under being admitted for free.  Before we get into to much initial information, sit back and check out these ten reasons why you don't want to miss out on The Blueberry Jam at Weeks Bay Plantation this weekend!

Special thanks to our sponsors who have made this event possible: Gulf Coast Organics, LuLu's, 92Zew, Red Hare Brewing, Bryant Bank, Chris Myers Automotive, Colonial Life, Flowerwood Nursery, Print Sound, and Optera Creative.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets to The Blueberry Jam

- A Benefit For American Cancer Society & Team River Runner - 

                                                    

The Blueberry Jam is extremely grateful and pleased to partner with two amazing, non-profit organizations for this event: American Cancer Society and Team River Runner. A percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to these two life-changing organizations.  The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.  ACS saves lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

Team River Runner believes that every wounded and disabled veteran deserves the opportunity to embrace new challenges, invoke leadership, and promote camaraderie. Team River Runner provides an outlet to fulfill these beliefs – inviting wounded and disabled war veterans and their families to participate in adaptive paddling programs. Founded in 2004 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, TRR now offer weekly paddling sessions in 45 locations across the nation. Team River Runner is more than an adaptive sports program. It’s a program that provides hope and healing to those who have risked so much, yet asked for so little. It’s an opportunity to enjoy nature and realize its social, physical, and emotional benefits, whether it’s tackling whitewater rapids or paddling on peaceful flat-water. It’s an environment that facilitates connection, allowing veterans to reunite with their families and forge relationships with those who have endured similar pain. Our veterans are on the river to recovery.

-Two Days Of Music On A 90-Acre Organic Farm-

Weeks Bay Plantation is a 90-acre organic blueberry farm located on Mary Ann Beach Road in Fairhope, Alabama.  Family and locally owned, the plantation was established to display the bounty and wonderful attributes that Baldwin County has to offer.  With 15 varieties of 100 percent organic, antioxidant-rich berries to choose from, the acres of sweet blue fruit are reason enough to take a drive down.  While the berries aren't currently in season, this is an opportunity to take in the beautiful setting of an all organic farm while enjoying a variety of both nationally-touring and locally established bands.  

- The New Waterfront Stage At Weeks Bay Plantation - 

This brand new waterfront stage was recently built up out of the lake in the natural amphitheatre at Weeks Bay Plantation.  This location will allow for a dramatic increase in space and room to dance along the flatter area of the amphitheatre.  Sustainability has been upheld with the stage by using all refurbished materials for the clamshell-style canopy.  The new stage features a size of 32 feet wide, 24 feet deep, and 19 feet high.  The location will allow for a beautiful view of the lake, as well as the opposing tree line, which will be lined with tents.  Make sure to keep an eye out for the light projections across the trees as the sun goes down.

- Local / Regional Vendors On Site - 

The Blueberry Jam will have a wide variety of local food, beverage, and retail vendors on site, including: Weeks Bay Foundation, Southern Soul, Tin Top, Warehouse, Bean & Bistro, Kittrell's Daydream, The Brewer's Alley, The Polish Boutique, Moon Pie Mama, and Hoops For Fitness.  Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for patrons ages 21 and older courtesy of B&B Bartending.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets to The Blueberry Jam

- Family Friendly: Kids 12 & Under Admitted For Free -

The Blueberry Jam is proud to be a family-friendly event.  Kids ages 12 and under will be admitted for free all weekend.  On Saturday, there will be a designated kids area with complimentary face painting and an inflatable bounce house.  Kids can also enjoy a variety of local snacks/refreshments from our various vendors.  Here's a perfect opportunity to bring out the entire family and allow the kids to get an early start on their love for music and arts! 

- The Heavy Pets Present Walrus: A Tribute To The Beatles - 

This year's headlining set will come in the form of special tribute on Saturday night, with The Heavy Pets Present Walrus: A Tribute To The Beatles.  Due to the overwhelming initial response The Heavy Pets have decided to take their extraordinary Beatles tribute on the road for select dates this Spring. Done in their distinct Heavy style, this tribute features blistering jams and unique takes on some of the greatest rock songs ever written.  The powerhouse jams and gorgeous harmonies that The Heavy Pets have become known for find a happy home in this incredible catalog.  

The Heavy Pets are an American rock band that blends rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, disco and reggae with rock & roll. Called “a living, breathing force of nature” by Relix Magazine, the Pets are known for their soulful songcraft and powerhouse live performances. Continuing the momentum of their current EP series, The Heavy Pets recorded and released Rags and Aces in the first half of 2014 amidst their rigorous tour schedule.

- Zach Deputy's One-Of-A-Kind Dance Party - 

Friday night's headlining set will come none other than Zach Deputy, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter based in Savannah, GA who is best known for his live looping shows. He describes his style as "island-infused drum n' bass gospel ninja soul.  When he plays live, he will loop and layer chord progressions, bass, beat boxing, drum sounds, vocals, and guitar. He performs with four microphones: a vocal synthesizer for choir sounds; one for high-hat, snare, and back-beat; one for main vocals, and one for vocal bass or bass drum.  His looping shows are known for their variety. "There are so many different ways it can happen. I can loop my guitar first, go into drums or loop a vocal riff first or straight into beat boxing and loop it or just go acoustic. It's very free formed. Every show can be extremely different from another. I try to have little consistency when it comes to my show. I never want to get bored with myself."  His fans will seek out live recordings of particular shows because each is so unique.

Deputy spends most of the year touring and at one time averaged 300 shows a year.  His performances are mostly one-man-band looping shows, but also include Zach Deputy Band shows and acoustic storyteller shows. He has played many large festivals such as Jam Cruise, Mountain Jam, High Sierra Music Festival, Gathering of the Vibes, and All Good Music Festival.

- Bands On The Rise: McLovins, CBDB, and Little Raine Band - 

Many will remember the two-night stand from McLovins in November of 2015, which featured an acoustic set, a tribute to The Band, as well as a 90-minute set of danceable original tunes.  McLovins return for another two night stand this year (7:30 Friday / 7:00 PM Saturday), both sets being the second-to-last of the evening.  

Taking a page from their jam band forefathers, McLovins always try to keep their audiences guessing at what’s to come. Their eclectic setlists and individual musical personas define the band’s live shows. Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, McLovins have appeared at Gathering of The Vibes, Mountain Jam, The Peach Festival and the legendary Nateva Music Festival, as well as many acclaimed venues across the country. They have also performed with some of the most influential artists on the scene, including Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, George Porter, Jr. and Oteil Burbridge.  

CBDB is a progressive rock/jam band formed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, whose stock is rising fast. Fresh off the release of their third album, entitled "The FAME EP", they are seeing a pattern of snowballing momentum with large, energetic crowds hungry for their unique brand of progressive jam-rock, dubbed Joyfunk. CBDB blends soulful vocals and virtuosic instrumentation with smart, tasteful songwriting resulting in a sound that can be enjoyed by the casual listener and audiophile alike. On stage, they parade tight, ambitious compositions that seamlessly gives way to loose, adventurous improvisation and have quickly become a must-see act.

Little Raine Band, based in Birmingham, AL, has an ever-evolving sound and fan base reaching all over the Southeast. These four musicians strive to master the art of improv and creating a singular live show. LRB crafts their sound from their unique musical backgrounds and influences. Elements of prog rock, fusion, electronica, soul, and energetic improv can be heard at a Little Raine Band show.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets to The Blueberry Jam

- Beloved Local Bands - 

In addition to several nationally touring acts, The Blueberry Jam is anchored by three of the Mobile/Fairhope areas most exciting and stablished local acts: Infant Richard & The Delta Stones, Paw Paw's Medicine Cabinet, and Lee Yankie & The Hellz Yeah.  IRDS will kick off the festival on Friday night at 6:00 PM CST, while Lee Yankie (12:00 PM) and PPMC (1:30 PM) will be the first two performers on Saturday afternoon.  

- Local Live Painters - 

Several of the area's most talented artists will be on site this weekend, so keep an eye out for the live painters across the concert grounds.  Watching a painting develop stroke by stroke through the power of live music is nothing short of magical, and we strive to continue building the art scene at The Blueberry Jam each year.  We can't say thank you enough to our art director, Angela Krause Harley, for helping us bring this element to the 2016 Blueberry Jam!