antiMusic travel editor Kevin Wierzbicki gives us the lowdown on rock'n travel events this month including the Wild Hog Music Fest, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Barbados Reggae Festival and Bear on the Square. 12th Annual Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally
You don't have to be a motorcycle enthusiast to enjoy the Wild Hog Festival; the event taking place in Helena, Arkansas (about an hour south of Memphis, Tennessee) April 26-29 has fun in store for everyone. Bikers have their poker run on Saturday, April 28 but the festival will also feature a motorcycle parade through Helena, the Ms. Wild Hog contest, vendors selling food, drink and all kinds of souvenirs, a bike show and a "dyno shootout." Musical performers scheduled to appear include Edgar Winter, Down 2 Five, R.T. Scott, the Eskimo Brothers, PULSE: The Pink Floyd Experience and Eagles tribute band 7 Bridges. www.wildhogmusic.org
Seabreeze Jazz Festival
Panama City Beach, Florida is home to the ResortQuest Seabreeze Jazz Festival and the 14th annual edition of the event will be taking place April 19-22. The sound of smooth contemporary jazz will fill the air at the city's Aaron Bessant Park, right across the street from the Gulf of Mexico and PCB's famous sugar-white sand beaches. Among the scheduled performers are: Fourplay, Dave Koz, Trombone Shorty, Mindi Abair with Jeff Golub and David Pack, Alexander Zonjic and Jeff Lorber, Brian Culbertson and comedian Alonzo Bodden. Reggae J's Island Grill will host an after-party jam on Friday and Saturday nights. www.seabreezejazzfestival.com www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Barbados Reggae Festival
The 2012 Digicel Barbados Reggae Festival takes place at various locations around the island on April 22-29. Mr. Vegas and Baby Cham kick off the festivities at the Reggae Beach Party at Brandon's Beach on April 22 but the fun moves to the 3W's Theater for a two-night stand April 27-28 when performers will include Freddie McGregor, Glen Washington, Admiral Tibet, Buggy Nakhente, Kirk Browne, Crimeson, Fari, Lil Rick and many others. The festival wraps on April 29 with Reggae on the Hill at Farley Hill National Park featuring music from Third World, Jah Cure, Capleton, Konshens and others. American, US Airways and Jet Blue are among the carriers flying into Grantley Adams airport in Bridgetown, Barbados. www.thebarbadosreggaefestival.com www.visitbarbados.org
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
Down home fun and good music is the order of the day at the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival taking place in Dahlonega, Georgia (about an hour north of Atlanta) April 20-22. Among the scheduled performers on April 21 are BlueBilly Grit, the Buzzard Mountain Boys, Barefoot Creek, John Lilly, Gold Rush with Neel Pender, John Grim and Beverly Smith, the Georgia Crackers and Whitepath. Georgia Pick and Bow Recital, the Rosin Sisters with Whit Connah and George Norman, Curtis Jones with Insonnia, Curley Maple and Packway Handle Band take to the stage on April 22. All main stage shows are free and there'll also be arts and crafts for sale, children's activities, open jam sessions, eclectic shopping and much more. www.bearonthesquare.org www.dahlonega.org
