Along with Matisyahu and Dream Club
Experience craft beer and wine tasting from a huge selection of vendors, colorful art installations and live music performed by five crowd-pleasing bands.
By Lynn Bremner
The lively and entertaining 5th Annual Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience returns to the Empire Polo Club’s fields on Saturday, March 5th, 2016. Brought to you by Empire Music Ventures, the 2016 line-up includes 311, Matishyahu, Dream Club, The BellRays and Insecure Alex along with more than 80 breweries, wineries & food trucks. The festival’s musical spectrum will range from reggae and funk to blues and rock, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience. Colorful murals by day will transform into marvelously lighted art pieces at night. Cirque entertainers will mingle with attendees savoring the extensive selections served up in the craft beer and wine gardens.
The tasting gardens will be packed with regional breweries and wineries pouring unlimited tastes from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Sip on samples of hoppy IPAs, dark stouts and fruity ciders from over 80 craft breweries while enjoying the energetic sets of “Insecure Alex” and “The BellRays.” The wine selection this year will be impressive. Buttery chardonnays, complex cabernets, velvety pinot noirs, zesty sauvignon blancs and more will be available for those who prefer the vine to the brew.
Gourmet food trucks and regional restaurants will offer a variety of mouth-watering fare ranging from luscious lobster tacos and delectable savory pizzas to juicy Tavern hamburgers and piquant Mexican cuisine.
Just when the tasting winds down around 7:00 PM, the Agua Caliente Stage will heat up with Los Angeles rock band, Dream Club. The enigmatic Justin Warfield (of darkwave band She Wants Revenge) is the lead singer. Come check out this new incarnation of a truly charismatic act. Reggae rapper and musically adventurous rocker Matisyahu is the second opening act. Expect an exciting blend of hip hop, reggae, beatboxing, and jam band fervor. Featured alternative rock band 311 is the headliner and will bring their unique blend of rock, reggae and funk for the stage’s final set. This multi-platinum band has sold over 8.5 million records in the USA alone. The band’s own 311 Amber Ale, launched in June of 2015 in celebration of the band’s 25th anniversary, will be on the tasting list at the Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience.
“Choosing bands from a variety of genres makes our event appeal to a broad audience,“ said Alex Haagen, IV, producer of the Rhythm, Wine and Brews Experience. “Reggae always draws a big, happy crowd. We added rock, a dash of blues and some funk and think we have an impressive show that everyone will enjoy.” He added, “We’ve woven together live music, craft beer and wine tasting, a variety of amazing food offerings, colorful art installations, circus performers and an incredible venue to create a real ‘experience.’ Come on out and have a great time!”
Tickets & Event Information
Tickets to the 2016 Rhythm, Wine and Brews Experience can be purchased online at www.RWBexp.com starting November 15th, 2015.
Event Information
- Date: Saturday, March 5th, 2016
- Time: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM (VIP ticket holders can enter at 3:00 PM)
- Location: Empire Polo Club, Indio, CA 92201
- General Admission Tickets (show only): $70 per person
- General Admission Tickets (including free beer/wine tastings): $85 per person
- VIP Admission Tickets: $150 per person
- A portion of the proceeds benefit the Casey Lee Ball Foundation to support pediatric kidney research
- Food will be available for purchase
- Huge selection of breweries and wineries offering tastings
- Wine and beer tasting from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
(VIP Tasting 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM) - Main Stage and headline performances from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
General Admission includes:
- Entrance to the RWB Experience 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Unlimited tastes of beer or wine 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Souvenir tasting glass
- Free parking
VIP Pass includes:*
- Entrance to the RWB Experience 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Unlimited tastings of beer or wine 3:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Access to VIP Tasting Lounge 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Access to the VIP Lounge and Bar
- Souvenir tasting glass
- VIP parking
- Invitation to Friday night Bottle Share and Kick-off Party
*VIP Admission includes access to VIP tasting area with specialty wine and beer not available in the general tasting area, and complementary food. VIP also includes access to a second VIP lounge with a full bar adjacent to main stage.
VIP Bottle Share & Kick-off Party
On Friday, March 4th the Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience is hosting a VIP Bottle Share and Kick-off Party in the Hacienda del Toro garden at Empire Polo Club for VIP ticket holders, vendors and media. VIP guests each bring a bottle of unique craft beer to share with the other VIP guests. It’s a great opportunity to meet people and discover new craft beers while enjoying live music by Long Duk Dong. For more details about the VIP Bottle Share & Kick-off Party, visit www.RWBexp.com.
RV & Tent Camping
Onsite RV and tent camping will be available. Fees include 2 days of camping: Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th. Visit www.RWBexp.com for more details about camping onsite.
Buy one night and get the second night FREE.
- 10’x10’ Tent Campsites are $30
- RV Campsites are $100
