N O R W A L K C I T I Z E N ~ N E W S

NORWALK • • • ENTERTAINMENTA• ARTS • SOCIALS • ETCETERAE E A18 Friday, August 15, 2008

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Ned Gerard/Staff photographer Singer Chris Robinson of the Black Vibrations Crowes headlines the Gathering of the Vibes on the main “Moon Stage” in Bridgeport’s Seaside Park Aug. 1. From Local Musicians to Aging Hippies, Everyone had a Groovy Time at Music Fest BY WENDY LOGAN smoothies. There were hippies and business initiative offered a host of information and any gathering of this size, we’ve really had BRIDGEPORT — Giant, bright white, cas- people, young and old, and in between. education on how to affect positive change no problems. Unlike a lot of other big festi- tle-like tents topped with multi-colored Mostly, though, Gathering of the Vibes in world ecology. An entire section of the vals, these people aren’t bothering any- flags dot the periphery of the field. A man was all about the music: 46 bands on three festival was devoted to Green Vibes as well body.” A long-haired, tie-dyed shirted man dressed in a purple suit crafted completely stages, playing blues, rock, funk, soul, a lit- as a diversity of other non-profit organiza- approaches the officer to ask about the of Crown Royal bags is walking on stilts. tle country, a little jazz, a little R&B, and a tion partnerships, including a food drive for rules and times for departure from the park. Iridescent bubbles in all sizes float gently lot of Grateful Dead. the Family Center of the United Way, voter After a brief exchange on the details, above the crowd. Women in beaded skirts The festival’s lineup included headliners registration by HeadCount.org, Music for Gilleran tells him, “But hey, don’t worry and bikini tops twirl. Phil Lesh and Friends (Lesh is the former Democracy.org, the CT Clean Energy about that now, man. Enjoy the show.” An old VW Van is parked in the middle bass player from the Grateful Dead), The Fund, Clean Water Action and many more. Later, a woman pushing a stroller gets a of the swaying crowd. A sea of campers’ Black Crowes and The Neville Brothers. The event’s program as well as all the wheel stuck in the curb, nearly toppling her tents stretches through the park, rimming The featured acts were joined on the main online materials provided by email to ticket child onto the ground. Within seconds, a the edge of the LI Sound. There are dread- stage by an impressive roster of musicians holders reminded concert-goers to respect disparate group of helpful Tribers comes to locks and hula hoops and tie dye. Karmas that included guitar icon Derek Trucks and the grounds, the city and “your fellow her aide. are getting washed. Bodies are getting his wife Susan Tedeschi in their band Soul VibeTribe.” It called for people to help one Not all of the VibeTribe fall into the cat- painted. License plates hail from Stew Revival, Dweezil Zappa and his band another wherever possible. The overall egory of the aging hippie asking for California, Nevada, Tennessee, Maine, performing Zappa Plays Zappa, a shock- theme for this Gathering of Vibes, much Gilleran’s wisdom on the rules or even Vermont, New York and Connecticut, to ingly brilliant tribute to rock legend Frank like that of the 60s, was of peace and it’s younger hippie wannabees twirling in their name a few. This is no 60s flashback. Or is Zappa, Umphrey’s McGee, Mike Gordon, hardly a stretch to suggest that the resur- tie dye to the Dark Star Orchestra; the it? Porter Batiste Stoltz, and beloved CT- gence of this kind of thinking comes at a Grateful Dead tribute band is as close as Welcome to Gathering of the Vibes, a grown funk band Deep Banana Blackout to time when our country is engaged in a sim- they’ll ever come to the real thing (Jerry modern-day hippie fest where thousands of name just a few. A short stroll toward the ilarly questionable war with a similarly Garcia, the band’s legendary front man, music lovers from across the country and water found the Solar Stage area, with questionable political administration. So, died in 1995). around the corner descended on our neigh- smaller, many locally-based bands, includ- with 20,000 fans on site each day, how did Jimmy Christie, for example, a 49-year bors to the north, at Seaside Park in ing The Grapes, The Durkins and Caravan the VibeTribe do with the message? old financial broker who lives in Bridgeport, from July 31 to Aug. 3. It was of Thieves. According to Bridgeport Police Sergeant Rowayton, said he is as big a fan as any- a weekend of dancing and revelry, of glob- Woven into the music-centric event were Kevin Gilleran who worked the festival, one. “I was a big Dead Head back in the al awareness and friendship. There were subtle and more direct messages of eco- they practiced what they preached. “It’s a day and probably saw them 60 or 70 times. crafts, clothing, art, photography and jew- friendliness, social conscience and mutual very mellow crowd,” he said. “Other than a elry for sale. There was food and beer and respect. The Green Vibes environmental few medical calls which are common at continued on page A19

Contributed photos/ Katie Stuart King for a Day band members from left to right: Danny Labich, Randy Funke and Benj Lefevre.