When one thinks of Bridgeport, Birkenstocks and Volkswagon vans probably aren’t the first images that come to mind. In recent years, Bridgeport has slowly experienced a renaissance, quietly turning itself around due to the innovations and creativity of artists.
This August, the city will add to its impressive list of artists as it plays host to approximately 15,000 people swathed in hemp necklaces and tie-dyed shirts for the Gathering of the Vibes.
In 1999 and 2000, Bridgeport was taken over by 10,000 and 15,000 people, respectively, camping out at Seaside Park for the four-day festival, Gathering of the Vibes. The Vibes concert event was a massive success, but since Seaside Park underwent massive renovations the following year, the Vibes hit the road. Now, the renowned festival is back in town and bringing world famous musicians to our backyards.
“Having the public eye focused [in a positive way] on Bridgeport reintroduces the populace to the changes Bridgeport is trying to introduce,” said Rich Franzino, owner of local venue Acoustic Café. “Aside from attracting people to Bridgeport, the Vibes becomes a focal point for local musicians and artists to meet and share ideas, a catalyst for future ideas to form. All these peoples will bring synergistic energy, and from that, new ideas to a city looking for ideas.”
Some of the scheduled acts include new bands from former members of the Grateful Dead and Phil Lesh ‘ Friends, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, Assembly of Dust and Keller and the Keels.
According to cofounder Ken Hays, the birth of the Gathering of the Vibes began in August 1995 with the death of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia. Many in the “jam band” scene worried their days were numbered. However, in 1996 at Purchase College, the “Gathering of the Tribe: Dead Heaven” united the biggest talent and fans of the scene. A year later the festival was renamed the Gathering of the Vibes and has been attracting fans from all over the world.
“This will be my second full-band performance at the Gathering of the Vibes with Donna Jean ‘ the Tricksters (playing there formerly as Kettle Joe’s Psychedelic Swanp Revue). It is my good pleasure to return this year to one of the best festivals of the season and make a bunch of music with my good friends,” said Donna Jean Godchaux, a member of the Grateful Dead from 1970 to 1979.
“Over the years the Vibes has become a landmark for me, the rest of the artists that perform and certainly the fans. It’s like fourth of July or something – a celebration that marks the passing of another year. Looking forward to this year, except for the fact that it means I am one year older,” said Reid Genauer, singer of the band Assembly of Dust.
Other artists agree. “The Vibes is a highlight of The Zen Trickster’s calendar,” said Jeff Mattson of Donna Jean and the Tricksters. “We are the only band who has performed all twelve years) of this festival. We’ve seen it grow from the small Deadhead Heaven it began as the year after Jerry Garcia passed away, into the large, much-anticipated event that is has become. It is also one of the best, if not the best, run festival we have ever been involved in. They have the logistics down to a science.”
According to Franzino, he, Hays and other Vibes founder Bob Kennedy met to brainstorm concepts for incorporating local acts.
“We came up with what is going to be called “The Beach Stage,” – a stage directly on the beach where local artists will play.”
Besides singing with DBB, Durkin will perform with former Grateful Dead member Mickey Hart and friends, and might be “local band stage” with Equinox, a new project she started this year. “I’m so glad my kids will get to come down and dance with me this year at Seaside Park. It’s gonna be rockin.”
“We really enjoyed playing near the water in 1998 and 1999. For me, personally, it will be a sentimental occasion as the last Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport is where I first asked out the woman who is now my wife,” said Mattson.
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