In the Hudson Valley, one looks for certain signs that we’ve finally turned the corner from winter into spring: the melting of snow; the first blooms on the trees; the warmth of the sun as it breaks through the curtain in the morning. The producers of Rock ‘n’ Roll Resort that hope their festival becomes another annual rite of spring.
Let me stop for a moment, because Rock ‘n’ Roll Resort (Version Three, for those keeping score) is not a festival. At least that’s not what promoter Shannon Plaquet calls it. “It’s a party for professional partiers,” said Plaquet. “One of our slogans is, ‘Pack your suitcase and leave your tent at home.’ I don’t even like to call it a festival; I like to call it a special event. I feel like your average festival has three to five thousand people, and we’re going to probably max out at around 2,000 people. When you think festival, you think mud, you think porta-potties, you think tents. We don’t have any of that.”
Indeed, the third incarnation of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Resort – scheduled for April 12 to 14 – is being held at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, a point driven home by the inclusion of a golf tournament on the official activities list. There’s also mini-golf and poker; but more importantly, there is music – lots and lots of music.
Dubbed “Tiny Rager,” the three-day festi…err…event boasts a jam-friendly bill that includes two nights of Soulive, Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli emcee Chali 2Na and the House of Vibe, the Ryan Montbleau Band, Ghosts of Jupiter, Goosepimp Orchestra, two bands with Digital in their name (Digital Dharma and Digital $torm) and many others.
Tickets are sold as single-day ($32.50 to $67.50) and full weekend ($125), with a variety of room packages also available. The Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is located at 400 Granite Road in Kerhonkson. For more information, visit https://rocknrollresort.com.
Join the family! 
