Earth Jam will take place in Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park on April 28 and 29 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For the last 21 years, the organizers of Earth Jam have brought environmental groups, musicians, artisans and various entertainers to join together in a celebration of Mother Earth.
“What we do is bring together a lot of organizations. It gives people a chance to look at their information about recycling, the Canyonlands, tree planting and animals,” said Daniel Marsh, Earth Jam founder and Salt Lake Community College film student.
There will be about 100 booths at Earth Jam which will help to educate the attendees on everything from recycling to protection of wolves.
“We’ll be getting people to write postcards in favor of wolves and getting wolves back in Utah,” said Bob Brister, membership coordinator with the Utah Environmental Congress.
Earth Jam will also be packed with over 30 local musicians who will be performing on two stages throughout the two-day event. The music entertainment will include a one man band, jazz, jamband, blues and harder rock. This year, Earth Jam will be returning to its roots by featuring some punk bands on Saturday afternoon.
“Earth Jam started with a lot of heavier music. Then it took its trend to be more family-oriented,” Marsh said.
Music will not be the only form of entertainment offered at this year’s Earth Jam. There will also be a couple of belly dance troops. In addition, the five-female Vaudeville theatrical group “A Candy Cabinet Cabaret” will perform.
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There will also be two performances by Hula Hoopology. The group will perform an LED hoop dance on Saturday night. They will also perform during the day on Sunday afternoon.
“These performances will be debuting many of our new members as well as some new things we have been working on as a troupe,” said Sarah Lux, Hula Hoopology co-founder.
One vendor who will be at the festival this year is An Array of Artistry. The artist will take recycled denim and create art on it.
The organizers of Earth Jam not only promote living in a more eco-friendly manner, but they also organize their two day event to reflect environmental awareness.
“Although we have bands and entertainment to bring people, the core of it is really about celebrating the earth, seeing what we can do to live more eco-friendly,” Marsh said.
As an example, the food vendors are not allowed to use Styrofoam. Rather, they are all required to use recyclable utensils, plates and cups. Though there are both trash cans and recycling bins at the festival, there has historically been very little non-recyclable waste produced at the festival.
In addition to the bands and other entertainment, here will also be activities for those who go to Earth Jam with their children. Dena Ranck, an Earth Jam coordinator, said that a seed-planting activity will be available for children. The greenhouse at Liberty Park donates the soil and other organizations donate the seeds. The children will be able to take the plants home with them.
For more information visit the website at: www.earth-jam.org
