The Friendship Between Two Intergenerational Bay Area Dance Music Crews
Photo Credit: Ryan Schmidt and Robyn Rusell
In an age of rapid commodification of culture, particularly in the world of music festivals, authenticity often becomes the casualty. Social media platforms like Instagram play an instrumental role in transforming unique, grassroots experiences into predictable templates. Beyond the glittery surface, festivals risk losing their essence, becoming mere collections of curated moments rather than vibrant expressions of community. Enter Vacation, a dance music festival designed to counter this trend—a microcosm of more profound cultural stewardship thanks to two intergenerational Bay Area dance music crews.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the rolling hills of Mendocino County, just a ninety-minute drive north of San Francisco, Vacation promises an experience that transcends typical festival offerings. Limited to just 750 attendees, the festival aims to deliver a more intimate experience, one characterized by adventurous programming, immersive art, and wellness offerings. It’s a setting tailored for people who prioritize dancing over documenting their experience.
The Founders
The festival is spearheaded by two prominent figures in the Bay Area dance music scene: Chris Ledet (DJ Ledet) and Jake Gonen (J Key), founders of the East Oakland GrooveWell collective. These two have long been engaged in throwing diverse, hand-crafted parties across the Bay Area and even Sayulita, Mexico. Their commitment to cultural stewardship is reflected in the many creative touches they inject into the festival’s layout and offerings.
One unique aspect of the festival layout is its design, rooted in the Fibonacci sequence, which reflects an appreciation for mathematical beauty. Not only that, but GrooveWell is excited to debut their custom sound system, Rapture, developed in partnership with the creators of Traction Sound in the UK. This system will provide the auditory centerpiece at the Vacation stage, where festival-goers can alternate between dancing and taking refreshing dips in nearby ponds, a perfect way to beat the summer heat.
Stages and Musical Offerings
Each stage at Vacation serves its own distinct flavor. The Voyager stage features a focus on down-tempo tunes played exclusively on vinyl, while the Nightflight stage is for high-energy acts that will definitely challenge your dance stamina, showcasing headliners like Bradley Zero from New York and the Warehouse Preservation Society from LA.
Despite its high-quality setting, what truly makes Vacation a fascinating event is the backstory of its creation, which highlights shared knowledge and generosity. The festival’s roots are intertwined with the legacy of Sunset Sound System, a foundational force in the Bay Area dance scene since the mid-1990s. This crew has hosted cherished events like daytime park parties and the beloved, albeit currently on hiatus, Sunset Campout.
Cultural Exchange and Building Community
DJs Galen Abbott and Solar Langevin have accumulated three decades of experience in community-building and artistic curation, offering invaluable lessons on how to create spaces that prioritize participation over consumption. Their wisdom has paved the way for new venture collaborations, in the case of Vacation, between seasoned and emergent party builders.
In a memorable moment captured from The Howl, an underground New Year’s Eve event in East Oakland, Chris extended an invitation to Galen to join on the decks, marking the beginning of a respectful and enriching relationship. Chris recalls that during their early encounters with Sunset events, they grasped the foundational impact of Sunset’s contributions to the West Coast underground house scene. The mutual respect and shared ethos opened the door for subsequent collaborations, bridging gaps between different generations of dance music fans.
A New Chapter in Festival Culture
While initial skepticism met GrooveWell’s emergence within Sunset’s well-established community, it quickly diminished the moment the music began. GrooveWell’s DJs earned their stripes, demonstrating the same layered, soulful selections that initially garnered them local love. As Galen succinctly puts it, “This isn’t about ‘passing a torch.’ It’s more about connecting frequencies.”
The connection between Sunset and GrooveWell offers a powerful example of how different generations can unite in the dance music space. The infusion of new energy keeps the culture vibrant and dynamic—something that many seem to forget in an increasingly commercialized festival landscape.
The Importance of Intentionality
Cultivating community lays the groundwork for the festival’s success, as emphasized by Chris: “If you’re crazy enough to start your own festival, the first thing to think about is the importance your community plays in its success.” This philosophy is reflected in their intentional approach to ticketing and attendance, focused on quality over quantity. A thoughtful questionnaire allows them to vet attendees, ensuring that they align with the festival’s ethos and values.
On the lineup front, diversity shines. Key headliners like Mungo Sound Machine are balanced by a rich ensemble of emerging artists such as &ndMore and Good Question, alongside established names like Eddie C and DJ Holographic. The inclusion of female artists like Masha, Mar, and DJ Kerry adds another layer to what is often a male-dominated industry.
As summer approaches, anticipation for Vacation continues to grow. While capacity is limited, Sunday tickets will soon be released, providing another opportunity to experience this curated blend of dance music, community bonding, and cultural exchange. With crucial acts set to perform each day, the weekend is shaping up to be a musically rich experience.
Ultimately, both Sunset and GrooveWell exemplify how dance music communities can transcend generations. They remind us that the soul of a scene isn’t maintained through mere nostalgia or aesthetic gloss; it’s forged through sincere exchanges, collaboration, and the willingness to invest in one another’s visions—both beautiful and messy.
Follow GrooveWell: Instagram
Follow Sunset Sound System: Instagram
