Larry Sabo / Tahoe Onstage
In the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, the June Lake Jam Fest, an annual fundraising event for the Mono Arts Council, has announced an online version of their storied music festival. The livestream, dubbed the “Safe at Home Edition,” will feature some of Southern California’s biggest jam bands in footage captured live at previous festivals, as well as new footage taped especially for this event.
“The June Lake Jam Fest is more than a festival,” coordinator Janet Hunt said. “It’s a strong, kind community that extends beyond the bands and the fans. The event brings so much joy to all the participants that we’ve decided to move forward and stage a virtual event with the same high quality music and production that has become synonymous with our festival.”
The free event, which will begin streaming from Sept. 11-13, features several renowned regional and national touring artists, including Melvin Seals & JGB, Jason Sinay, The Mother Hips, Cubensis, GrooveSession and Jerry’s Middle Finger, The Alligators, Hunter & The Dirty Jacks, Shaky Feelin, Alex Jordan, Mestizo Beat, Hempstring Orchestra and The Storytellers.
“While viewing the virtual festival is free, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to help us raise money for these arts and music programs,” Hunt said. “We will be raising funds through straight donations, selling merchandise, holding a raffle with stunning items, and we’ve set up a crowd funding campaign at IndieGoGo offering perks from free merchandise to having some of our great bands performing at your homes.”
Hunt and her husband Bill, both retired educators, founded the event in 2015 for the purpose of raising funds to support art and music programs, through the Mono Arts Council, in Mono County schools.
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
A state-of-the-art website has also been launched. The website, designed and donated by Los Angeles marketing firm BrightBulb Solutions, features bios of past and present lineups, video and image galleries, an online store, festival schedule and more. The website “reflects the unique nature and vibe of the Jam, which is colorful, warm and communal in nature,” said Hunt.
Kristin Reese, Executive Director of Mono Arts Council Kristin Reese said the music festival has been a valuable tool in raising funds for the Council’s programs. “We’re pleased that Janet and her team have been working diligently to stage an online version of our beloved music festival,” Reese said.
“We are all passionate about the arts and the benefits of arts in schools. Students who have access to the arts perform better academically, are more resilient, and are provided avenues for creative self-expression. It’s a worthy cause.”
