From Aug. 10 through Aug. 12, 2012, the 18th annual Rockport Dam Jam celebrates the union of tents, banjos and campfires.
“I love the Dam Jam. It’s a great environment,” says musician Alexis Nay. “I love going because of the people.”
The Dam Jam will take place at the Rockport State Park and Reservoir located about 20 minutes away from Park City near Coalville.
Camp spots for both tents and trailers are available at the Historic Church Campground inside of the Rockport State Park. This is a developed campground with modern toilets and showers. The park and reservoir offers opportunities for fishing from the shore line and from boats.
Last year, over 300 participants from all over the western United States attended the Dam Jam.
The Dam Jam focuses on involved jam sessions that everyone present can participate in. Musical proficiency isn’t a requirement.
“The people at these jams are all so welcoming,” says Nay. “If you are a beginner, they will welcome you with open arms and teach you new things.”
In a Dam Jam session, those who are playing instruments will generally sit or stand in a circle, and a player will choose a song that they wish to jam to providing the name of the song and the key they are going to play it in. The participants of the jam session then take turns soloing and playing backup, until the person who started the song caps it. Then another person will choose what song to jam to next. Participants can join and leave any jam session anytime, as long as they do so politely.
Any instrument is welcome at these jam sessions, whether it’s a guitar, juice harp or even a tambourine.
“I’ve seen a flute, bagpipes, and an accordion” says Nay.
There is a communal pot luck dinner on Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m. Admission costs $9 per vehicle. For more information, call Rockport State Park at (435) 336-2241.