Tag - pima county fairgrounds

A Rockin’ Time at Gem & Jam Music Festival

March 24, 2020
Jordan Miller
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Big Gigantic at Gem & Jam 2020

After one-year hiatus, Gem & Jam Music Festival returned to the Pima County Fairgrounds this past January 31 – February 2, 2020, for its 13th year. The festival boasted over 50 musical acts across four stages and three days. In addition to the jams, Gem & Jam participants had the option to engage in a variety of activities including health and wellness classes, drum circles, live painting demonstrations, and interactive art installs.

The festival coincides with the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral show, which provides attendees another venue of entertainment. Shuttles run from Gem & Jam to Tucson to encourage festival-goers to check out the world renowned mineral show happening just a short drive from the festival. With multiple locations and every type of mineral under the sun, it was easy to get caught up perusing the overloaded gem displays for a few hours.

Staying true to a rich Arizona tradition, minerals were a major focal point of the festival. From the stage names and stage design to the art and vendors, everything was all gem all the time. The Emerald Stage had huge rough cut quartz points adorning the stage, while the the indoor Onyx Stage had an iridescent faux crystal point backdrop that created a cave-like environment.

Alongside all those gems were a ton of jams! With four alternating stages, the lineup left the Santa Rita foothills ringing all weekend. Measured by sheer crowd energy, earlier acts that proved to be a hit included Dirtwire, Manic Focus, and The Floozies. As the sun dropped below the rolling hills and the desert temperatures dropped, the evening jams grew heavy and participants who braved the chilly evenings were rewarded by impressive closing acts by Tipper, Big Gigantic, Mersiv, and Buku. Mersiv brought massive sound and energy to the Onxy Stage while Tipper delivered glitch-hop beats to the tightly packed crowd at the Emerald Stage.

While the musical acts are the festival’s main focus, there were plenty of live painters, sculptors, and artists with a background in everything from clay, glass, and woodworking showcasing their art at Gem & Jam. Brad Rhadwood, most famous for his trippy animal designs painted on wood, completing a live painting over the course of the weekend that was then auctioned off. Rhadwood also had a larger piece displayed near the Emerald Stage accompanied by a projector which helped entice attendees to stop and gaze at his creation.

We got our rocks off checking out art, minerals, and grooving to great tunes at Gem & Jam and are excited for the return in 2021! For the full photo gallery, check our album on Facebook.

Gem & Jam 2020 Drops 2nd Phase Lineup

November 22, 2019
Phil
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Gem and Jam 2020 Phase 2

Tucson, Arizona – Gem & Jam Festival continues to march forward towards making this its biggest year yet, since announcing it would return to the beautiful, desert setting of Pima County Fairgrounds, January 31 through February 2, 2020. The three-day music, art, performance, and gem & mineral festival that has added a mix of all-star talent and burgeoning artists destined to be highlights. Second round artists include a Gem & Jam Grateful Dead Tribute, featuring: Michael Travis, Jason Hann, Eric Krasno, Mihali Savoulidis, Reed Mathis, and Todd Stoops; Michal Menert; Pink Talking Fish; M3GA-SCOPES; Albert Huxley; Asyouwere; Atom; Blessit; Deuz Yeux; Dirty Nabz; Dusted; Eons; Ill Divo; Jaybird; JXCHRISTO; Kate Riles; Kiitos; Kip Killagain; Kody Black; Louis IV; Nastyhumanz; Prism Shank; PVPI FRVNKO; Ratchet Noir; Slick Floyd; Smoakland; Soulular, and Sunn Rays.

Previously announced artists for the 13th annual Gem & Jam includes: Tipper; Big Gigantic; The Floozies; Twiddle; Billy Strings; Desert Hearts Takeover, featuring Mikey Lion, Marbs, RYBO and Lubelski; TH3, featuring Michael Travis, Jason Hann and Kyle Hollingsworth (String Cheese Incident) and Matt Hill (The Floozies); Manic Focus; Dirtwire; Desert Dwellers; Thriftworks; Bluetech; Buku; Christian Martin (Dirtybird, TAT); Kyle Hollingsworth Band; Marvel Years; Mersiv; SoDown; Ana Sia; Balken Bump; Cofresi; Cycles; Daily Bread; Eminence Ensemble; Kitchen Dwellers; Late Night Radio; Megan Hamilton; Mystic Grizzly; Nobide; Saqi; Supertask; Tenth Mountain Division; Adem Joel; Autonomix; The Bennu; Dollarsine; Endoplasmic; The Flying Skulls; Funkstatik; Glass Cannon; Gonzofuze; M-Q; Party People; Safi’s Lab; Scott Nice; Since Juleye, and Smokovich. The entertainment will continue to grow as we enter 2020, hosting a flurry of talent across three stages, plus special late-night sets, gem and mineral exhibits, art galleries, painters, dancers, daytime workshops, and much more.

Located on 640 acres and just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson, the Pima County Fairgrounds is surrounded by nature and resides in a desert environment, creating an expansive setting perfect for Gem & Jam. The multi-stage music and arts festival will be expanding on its experience with world-class visuals, unique stage designs, artist galleries, live paintings, experiential installations, daytime workshops, gem and mineral vendors, and much more.

General Admission tickets are on sale now for $179, plus fees. VIP passes are available, including everything that a GA ticket provides plus: VIP Main Stage Viewing Area, access to VIP lounge with complimentary snacks and beverages, VIP bathrooms, a VIP laminate and lanyard, commemorative poster, VIP Grassroots California’ hat, VIP pin, and keychain. Hotel and ticketing options and payment plans, and pay with friends are available.

Camping options are available starting at free walk-in camping with a $20 parking fee, car camping and RV options with hookups. Additionally, Gem & Jam offers two elevated camping experiences- Ready Set Camping and the Camping Bundle ticket. With Ready Set Camping, you can experience the future in insulated shift pods, made of composite fabric that keeps you cool during the day and warm into the night. The ticket includes an inflatable mattress, bedding, furniture, a space heater, electricity, and sleeps two comfortably. For those looking to travel light and take the thinking out of camping, Gem & Jam offers a pre-prepped Camping Bundle, which includes all the essentials two people could need- a tent for two, one lantern, two flashlights, pillows, sleeping bags, and a queen size inflatable mattress. Any leftover camping items will be donated to Youth on their Own, a dropout prevention program that supports the high school graduation and continued success of homeless, unaccompanied youth in Pima County, Arizona.

Gem & Jam is produced by Fog City Productions, Legion of Bloom Music, and Mammoth Music Group. Visit www.gemandjam.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GemAndJam, Twitter at www.twitter.com/GemJamFestival, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/GemAndJamFestival. For all ticketing options visit, www.gemandjam.com. Gem & Jam Festival is an all-ages event.

Tipper & Big Gigantic to Headline Gem & Jam 2020

September 9, 2019
Phil
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Gem & Jam 2020 Phase 1

Tucson, Arizona – After taking a year hiatus for 2019, fan-favorite festival Gem & Jam Festival is excited to announce its return and with it the phase one lineup. The three-day music, art, performance, and gem & mineral festival will be returning to the beautiful, desert setting of Pima County Fairgrounds, January 31 through February 2, 2020. This past Spring Gem & Jam announced that it indeed would be returning and that planning was well underway. The news continued last week when Tipper, Big Gigantic, The Floozies, and Twiddle were announced and would be joined by over 30 additional artists as part of phase one.

Gem & Jam’s 13th annual performer lineup includes: Billy Strings; Desert Hearts Takeover, featuring Mikey Lion, Marbs, RYBO and Lubelski; TH3, featuring Michael Travis, Jason Hann and Kyle Hollingsworth (String Cheese Incident) and Matt Hill (The Floozies); Manic Focus; Dirtwire; Desert Dwellers; Thriftworks; Bluetech; Buku; Christian Martin (Dirtybird, TAT); Kyle Hollingsworth Band; Marvel Years; Mersiv; SoDown; Ana Sia; Balken Bump; Cofresi; Cycles; Daily Bread; Eminence Ensemble; Kitchen Dwellers; Late Night Radio; Megan Hamilton; Mystic Grizzly; Nobide; Saqi; Supertask; Tenth Mountain Division; Adem Joel; Autonomix; The Bennu; Dollarsine; Endoplasmic; The Flying Skulls; Funkstatik; Glass Cannon; Gonzofuze; M-Q; Party People; Safi’s Lab; Scott Nice; Since Juleye, and Smokovish. The lineup will continue to grow as we enter 2020, hosting a flurry of talent across 3 stages, plus special late night sets, gem and mineral exhibits, art galleries, painters, dancers, daytime workshops, and much more.

“We are beyond excited to be able to bring Gem & Jam back for an epic three nights in the desert,” says festival co-producer Josh Pollack. “We have the best fans out there and cannot wait to share all we have planned for 2020.”

Located on 640 acres and just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson, the Pima County Fairgrounds is surrounded by nature and resides in a desert environment, creating an expansive setting perfect for Gem & Jam. The multi-stage music and arts festival will be offering increased capacity and camping options, including onsite RV camping with hookups, car camping, and walk-in camping. Additionally, Gem & Jam will be expanding on its experience with world-class visuals, unique stage designs, artist galleries, live paintings, experiential installations, daytime workshops, gem and mineral vendors, and much more. General Admission tickets are on sale now for $159, plus fees. Camping options are available starting at free walk-in camping with a $20 parking fee, car camping and RV options with hook ups. Hotel and ticketing options, and payment plans are available. For all ticket options visit, www.gemandjam.com. Gem & Jam Festival is an all ages event.

Gem & Jam is produced by Fog City Productions, Legion of Bloom Music, and Mammoth Music Group. Visit www.gemandjam.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GemAndJam, Twitter at www.twitter.com/GemJamFestival and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/GemAndJamFestival.

Gem & Jam Announces Phase 2 Lineup

September 20, 2017
Phil
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After dropping a first phase lineup which boasted two nights of STS9, two nights of Lettuce and nearly 40 additional artists, Gem & Jam continues to surpass the lofty levels set last year. Returning to Pima County Fairgrounds for a second straight year- January 25 – 28, 2018, the four-day music and camping festival keeps the momentum going with a mix of fan favorites, including: Big Wild; Papadosio; Sunsquabi; Head for the Hills; Earthcry (of Papadosio); Dynohunter; Templo; Lapa (of Emancipator); Smash & Grab; Little John; Minions of the Moon; Bird Foot; Tony Inorbit; The Party People; Soul Catalyst; and Deadset. Additional artists will be added in the coming months.

Previously announced artists include: STS9; Lettuce; Greensky Bluegrass; Railroad Earth; Emancipator; Breaking Biscuits; Thriftworks; The Russ Liquid Test; Masego; Random Rab; Michal Menert; Flamingosis; John Kadlecik’s Fellowship of the Wing; Govinda; Jade Cicada; Maddy O’Neal; Saqi; Ill Esha; Charlesthefirst; Modern Measure; Bass Physics; Marvel Years; Zoogma; Blunt Force; Safis Lab; Flying Skulls; Skydyed; Kyma; Adem Joel; Electric Feel; Smokovich; Endoplasmic; The Bennu; Neon Prophet Band; Jahmontee; SuDs; M/Q; Truth Cartel and GonzoFuZe.

Located on 640 acres and just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson, the Pima County Fairgrounds is surrounded by nature and resides in a desert environment, creating an expansive setting perfect for Gem & Jam. The multi-stage music and arts festival will be offering increased capacity and camping options, including: onsite RV camping with hookups, boutique camping, car camping and walk-in camping. Additionally, Gem & Jam will be expanding on its experience with world-class visuals, unique stage designs, artist galleries, live paintings, experiential installations, daytime workshops, gem and mineral vendors and much more.

General Admission tickets are on sale now for $199, plus fees. Camping options will be available starting at $55, plus fees. Included in these options are: Deluxe RV Camping, Standard RV Camping, Car Camping, Walk-In Camping and Ready, Set, Camp. Tickets are available online at www.gemandjam.com Gem & Jam Festival is an all ages event.

Gem & Jam is produced by Infinite Music Productions, Euphonic Conceptions, and Challenger Presents. Visit www.gemandjam.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GemAndJam, Twitter at www.twitter.com/GemJamFestival and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/GemAndJamFestival.

STS9 to Headline Gem & Jam 2018

August 2, 2017
Phil
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Gem & Jam Lineup 2018

Emerging from a successful year which saw Gem & Jam embrace the full festival experience with a move from Downtown Tucson to a venue that offered a desert setting with expanded amenities including camping, the twelfth annual event released the first phase of its lineup. Returning to Pima County Fairgrounds for a second straight year- January 25 – 28, 2018, Gem & Jam shows no signs of slowing down attracting some of the biggest talent from the scene. The first round of headliners for the fan-favorite music and camping festival include: two nights of STS9 two nights of Lettuce; Greensky Bluegrass; Railroad Earth; Emancipator and Breaking Biscuits, which features members of the Disco Biscuits and Break Science. More performers will be announced in the coming months.

“We are so excited to welcome our fans out to the desert to share in this amazing experience we are building,” says festival co-producer Toby White. “There is something for everyone at Gem & Jam and we still have many more surprises to come.”

Additional artists new to the lineup include: Thriftworks; Masego; Random Rab; Michal Menert; Flamingosis; John Kadlecik’s Fellowship of the Wing; Govinda; Jade Cicada; Maddy O’Neal; Saqi; Ill Esha; Charlesthefirst; Modern Measure; Bass Physics; Marvel Years; Zoogma; Blunt Force; Safis Lab; Flying Skulls; Skydyed; Kyma; Adam Joel; Electric Feel; Smokovich; Endoplasmic; The Bennu; Neon Prophet Band; Jahmontee; SuDs; M/Q; Truth Cartel and GonzoFuZe.

Located on 640 acres and just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson, the Pima County Fairgrounds is surrounded by nature and resides in a desert environment, creating an expansive setting perfect for Gem & Jam. The multi-stage music and arts festival will be offering increased capacity and camping options, including: onsite RV camping with hookups, boutique camping, car camping and walk-in camping. Additionally, Gem & Jam will be expanding on its experience with world-class visuals, unique stage designs, artist galleries, live paintings, experiential installations, daytime workshops, gem and mineral vendors and much more.

General Admission tickets are on sale now for $169, plus fees. Camping options will be available starting at $55, plus fees. Included in these options are: Deluxe RV Camping, Standard RV Camping, Car Camping, Walk-In Camping and Ready, Set Camp. Tickets are available online at www.gemandjam.com. Gem & Jam Festival is an all ages event.

Gem & Jam is produced by Infinite Music Productions, Euphonic Conceptions, and Challenger Presents. Visit www.gemandjam.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GemAndJam, Twitter at www.twitter.com/GemJamFestival and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/GemAndJamFestival.

Gem & Jam Festival Returns in 2018

July 6, 2017
Phil
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Gem & Jam 2017

Gem & Jam Festival has announced it will be returning to Pima County Fairgrounds for a second straight year, January 25 – 28, 2018. Coming off a transitional year, which saw the fan favorite festival move from Downtown Tucson to a venue that offered a desert setting with expanded amenities including camping, the twelfth annual event will expanding its offerings, which of course will include a bigger lineup. Previously editions of Gem & Jam have featured such acts as: Gramatik; Mike Gordon; The Floozies; Lotus; The Trancident; Kyle Hollingsworth; EOTO & Friends; G Jones; The Infamous Stringdusters; Poolside; Com Truise; Steve Kimock & Friends; Opiuo; The Motet., amongst others. The first round of performers for the 2018 lineup will be announced in the coming months.

For those who missed Gem & Jam this year or those who are looking to relive the festivities, the festival is also releasing the Official Gem & Jam 2017 After Movie. Clocking in at a dizzying 30 seconds, the video perfectly captures the energy, excitement and love that is Gem & Jam- prepping fans for even more in 2018.

“Last year was such a big step for us, moving from downtown to this beautiful desert setting,” says festival co-producer Toby White. “It is great to the looks on all our fans faces, to help give us the motivation to turn out an even bigger and better Gem & Jam.”

Located on 640 acres and just 20 miles south of downtown Tucson, the Pima County Fairgrounds is surrounded by nature and resides in a desert environment, creating an expansive setting perfect for Gem & Jam. The multi-stage music and arts festival will be offering increased capacity and camping options, including: onsite RV camping with hookups, boutique camping, car camping and walk-in camping. Additionally, Gem & Jam will be expanding on its experience with world-class visuals, unique stage designs, artist galleries, live paintings, experiential installations, daytime workshops, gem and mineral vendors and much more. Early Bird Presale tickets go on sale Friday, July 7th, at 10 a.m. for $179, plus fees. Camping options will be available starting at $55, plus fees. Tickets are available online at www.gemandjam.com. Gem & Jam Festival is an all ages event.

Gem & Jam is produced by Infinite Music Productions, Euphonic Conceptions, and Challenger Presents. Visit www.gemandjam.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GemAndJam, Twitter at www.twitter.com/GemJamFestival and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/GemAndJamFestival.