Premiering during the Stone Pony's three-year-old "Re-Birthday" from May 30-June 1 in the Stone Pony and on the surrounding Stone Pony Lot in Asbury Park, NJ, The Great Bamboozle Arts and Cultural Festival is a jamband bonanza designed to unite the best national and local jamband and jam-friendly acts in a three-day celebration of arts and culture. Kicking off a summer season in which jamband festivals are rapidly sprouting across the country, The Great Bamboozle instantly makes the Jersey Shore — and the rest of the Garden State — a "player" on the national circuit.
The Roots, Medeski Martin and Wood, Keller Williams, Dark Star Orchestra, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, The David Grisman Quintet and DJ Logic are the headliners assembled by Max Cruise Entertainment. Other national acts on the bill include Topaz, Antigone Rising, Seth Yacovone Band, Mike Farris of the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies and, leading a Drum Circle, Jim Donovan of Rusted Root. The local talent roster includes Juggling Suns, J. Pat, Unexplained Bacon, New Blood Revival, Borialis, Bamm Hollow, Sunny Daze, Under New Ownership, Mike Brody, The Remedy, Secret Sound, Bugg, Moroccan Sheep Herders, Jaski, One-Eyed Jack and more to be announced.
"The jambands brought out our first loyal fan base after I purchased the club, and we reopened at the beginning of the 2000 summer season," says Stone Pony owner Domenic Santana. "That first year was really tough, but their fans were fearless in trekking where no man would go, and they helped established a regular scene here. And when we needed support during our Save the Pony campaign, those were the fans who came out and marched for us. It's no coincidence that we named our street team the Hippie Army. They have been fiercely loyal."
Tickets are $70 for a three-day pass or $27 for a single day in advance ($30 day of show). Max Cruise Entertainment, the primary concert promoter of the Stone Pony, is a new booking and promotion company in Freehold, NJ, specializing in festivals and events including This Island Earth, The Surf and Skate Festival and the Asbury Music Expo. Max Cruise also is reopening the historic Fast Lane nightclub in Asbury Park on the first weekend in June.
