Connecticut Post Article on Vibes Through 2012

From connpost.com: 'Vibes' in 5-year deal with Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT — The city has inked a deal to bring the Gathering of Vibes arts and music festival to Seaside Park for the next five years.

Mayor Bill Finch, announcing the contract today, saying the four-day summer concert and camping fest has become an important part of the city's redevelopment.

"The Vibes is an exceptional addition to Bridgeport's blossoming arts and entertainment scene, and is an opportunity to showcase the Park City to thousands of out-of-town guests throughout the country," Finch said.

Bob Kennedy, a spokesman for the festival, said there are many reasons why organizers wanted to remain in Bridgeport, where the festival was staged last year as well as several years at the turn of the decade. Tens of thousands of people turned out for the Vibes slate of concerts, both as day trippers or camping out for the entire event in Seaside Park.

"I'm a Bridgeport resident, so this hits home for me. Bridgeport is an up-and-coming city and it has a vibrant artistic scene. It seems great for us to team up," Kennedy said.

Vibes Executive Director Ken Hays added, "It's a privilege to call Seaside Park home for five years."

Kennedy pointed out that the festival filled area hotels and organizers and participants poured tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy.

The year's festival, scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 3, will feature acts such as the Neville Brothers, the Black Crowes, Phil Leash and Friends, formerly of the Grateful Dead, and Deep Banana Blackout, which got its start in Bridgeport.

In all, 40 bands will perform on three stages in the 370-acre waterfront park. Camping sites will be available throughout the venue.

A "Green Vibes" initiative is planned as part of the event, aimed at educating festival goers about climate change issues. Some of the acts will perform on a stage powered only by solar panels.

A variety of arts and crafts will be on display throughout the festival, and shuttle buses will be available to move the attendees from hotels and to the Bridgeport Port-Jefferson ferry depot and the railroad station.

This year's festival is the fourth Gathering of the Vibes held at Seaside Park. About 20,000 people per day attended last year's festival, listening to groups such as Buddy Guy, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir.