MONROE, CT — Attending the third annual Jam at the Dam may feel like you’re driving into a time warp to the 1980s, as the radio waves are taken over by popular hair bands like Dokken, Warrant and FireHouse, and songs from former Kiss icon, Ace Frehley’s solo albums.
Fans will see these bands at a music festival, to be held on the weekend of July 25 and 26, that will also feature performances by former Dokken guitarist George Lynch and his band, Lynch Mob, and SteelHeart, an American glam metal band from Norwalk.
The star-studded lineup is a contrast to last year’s Jam at the Dam, which featured popular country music acts.
“We’re just trying different genres of music to mix it up a little bit,” said George Zwally, owner of the festival’s venue, Z-Topia, 1545 Monroe Turnpike. “It will be a great experience. These are the bands I grew up with. They were all in my playlist.”
Zwally said many of the people he has spoken to can’t believe these bands are coming to Monroe, Connecticut. In fact, the nostalgia among ’80s music fans is so strong, he had to arrange for overflow parking with a bus shuttle from Masuk High School.
“We have to give a shout out to Joseph Kobza,” Zwally said of the superintendent of schools.
Tickets to this year’s Jam are still available online and can also be purchased at the gate on the days of the concerts.
“VIP tickets are running out,” Zwally said.
VIP ticket holders will sit directly in front of the stage and have their own chairs, tables, bar and bathrooms.
For ticket holders bringing their own lawn chairs, Zwally said spaces are limited and on a first come first served basis. He said meet and greets can be arranged on the artists’ websites.
To purchase tickets on the Jam’s website, click here. Zwally said there will be a discount for buying tickets for the entire weekend.
All parking will be free and on a first come first served basis on the Z-Topia property; and shuttle buses will run from the overflow parking lot at Masuk from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on both days.
Zwally said those who are handicapped can be dropped off right at the gate before drivers park elsewhere on the site, and staff members will provide assistance for anyone who needs it. There will also be handicapped parking spaces at Z-Topia and Masuk.
Doors will open at 1 p.m. on the first day, Friday, July 25, and the 99.1 WPLR Street team will broadcast the event live with radio personalities Chaz and AJ.
The musical lineup will include:
- 6:30 p.m., SteelHeart
- 8 p.m., FireHouse
- 9:30 p.m., Warrant
Doors will open at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, and the 99.1 WPLR Street team will broadcast live with radio personality Mike Lapitino.
Musical acts will include:
- 6:30 p.m., George Lynch and The Mob
- 8 p.m., Dokken
- 9:30 p.m., Ace Frehley
The Jam at the Dam will have food trucks and vendors. Among the food trucks are:
- Not Just Blowin Smoke BBQ
- Jay & D Kettle Corn
- The Waffle Wagon
- Goni’s Gourmet Seafood (Saturday only)
- Eat Z Food, run by Zwally’s wife, Paula, will serve hamburgers, hotdogs, kielbasa and other fare.
The festival is sponsored by NorcomCT, of Stratford and Naugatuck, which will provide all of the communications for the event.
Vendors will include The Hammond Law Firm on Friday, Priority Solar both nights and a Tarot card reader from Stressed Out on Saturday.
Zwally expressed his gratitude to everyone who is making this year’s Jam at the Dam possible, including his son, George Jr., Production Manager Mike Reilly and Marketing Manager Alix Hughes.
He thanked fellow business owners at Z-Topia for allowing use of their excess spaces, including John Kimball of A Little More Space and Anthony Galbo of Boar’s Head, which is also providing all of the meats for the Eat Z Food truck.
Zwally praised the town officials he worked with to obtain all of the necessary permits, including Community and Economic Development Director William Holsworth.
First Selectman Terry Rooney said the annual Jam at the Dam has been a welcome addition to the town.
“Jam at the Dam is a perfect example of a great addition to the entertainment aspect of Monroe,” Rooney said. “Years ago, when this concept was brought to us there was hesitation. However, we have grown to realize that the promoters of this event are willing to work around any concerns addressed year after year.”
“The level of talent that is being brought to Monroe is beyond what our neighboring towns do,” Rooney said. “John Waite, Tyler Hubbard from Florida Georgia Line last year and now several others, including legendary guitarist from Kiss, Ace Frehley? This is incredible and I’m so happy town officials at the time recognized the value of Jam at the Dam and now all see the impact and success it’s continuing to have.”
“The community should thank Z-topia and the Zwally family for continuing this wonderful event as it’s one of a kind,” he continued. “They are bringing globally famous talent that would typically never be performing in a town like ours. I believe Monroe is worth it, the promoters believe Monroe is a great place for it, now we need to go out and support Jam at the Dam to show Monroe people appreciate it. Hope to see everyone there.”
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
George Zwally, I just saw your link about your jam again this year, and am wondering if you are related to the Zwallys in Lancaster Co, PA where I grew up. I am H.(enry) Jay Zwally 8th generation descendant of Christian Zwahlen who came to PA in 1735 and later married Ann Mischler who had come with him. If you send me your email I can send you a copy of the genealogy.
Jay Zwally