Jam Cruise Sets Sail for Haiti - Spinner

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One of the world's most unique music festivals --Jam Cruise-- has announced that it will celebrate its tenth voyage by setting sail for port stops in both Haiti and Jamaica, with more artists than ever on board. Anchored (no pun intended) by such festival-friendly"fun-in-the-sun"bands asToots& the Maytals(pictured),Umphrey's McGee,Galactic,Soulive,Ozomatliand even psy-trance favoriteShpongle, this year's ship is on a slightly different course than in past years, where passengers were treated to port stops in such idyllic spots as the Bahamas, Belize and Turks& Caicos.

Mark Brown, president ofCloud 9 Adventures, who produces Jam Cruise, explains to Spinner just why he chose Labadee, Haiti as the ship's next destination."We are all lovers of music and travel, stretching the boundaries and evolving as a company,"he says."Labadee offers a unique opportunity in a safe and remote area for cruisers to enjoy themselves at a beach party with live music, while also making wise use of the ship and port as a channel to supply goods and services to humanitarian organizations in support of their relief efforts all across Haiti."

To that end, the company's charitable arm, Positive Legacy, will no doubt be a major focus during the day in Haiti. Positive Legacy enlists many of the festival's top artists to join side-by-side with passengers in doing local outreach during port stops and frequently features special performances for the local communities. Of course, passengers are also welcome to use their time on shore doing whatever other excursions and activities they desire -- or to just simply lounge with umbrella drinks on the beachfront. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of adventure.

Other band's on Jam Cruise 10's lineup include:Bruce Hornsby& the Noisemakers,Dirty Dozen Brass Band,Paper Diamond,Karl Denson's Tiny Universe,Toubab Krewe, and 7 Walkers, a group featuring theGrateful Dead'sBill Kreutzmann-- oh, and each band performs at least twice. Not counting appearances in the all-night, every-night Jam Room. The voyage begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from January 9 - 14, 2012. But if you're even remotely interested in going,get on it-- cabins usually sell out fast.

Watch Toots& the Maytals Get Down With Ivan Neville on Jam Cruise 6


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