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Elliot Seng: Winter destination festivals

Elliot Seng
Explore's newest music contributor, Elliot Seng, has called Steamboat Springs home for the past five years now. His dedication to all things music is more alive than ever. In his short time on earth he’s a proven music junkie, and totally broke from it.
Courtesy Photo





Explore’s newest music contributor, Elliot Seng, has called Steamboat Springs home for the past five years now. His dedication to all things music is more alive than ever. In his short time on earth he’s a proven music junkie, and totally broke from it.

— For most of us, the next few months are a time to enjoy the winter wonderland that surrounds us. We revel in the season, as does our town. But some people here, oddly, do not. Whether it be the snow or bitter temperatures, a hiatus of some sort may be needed to relieve the winter-time blues. If this sounds like you, take a look at a few of these winter festival retreats to alleviate your woeful dread.

Kicking off the lineup of destination festivals, Dominican Holidaze which is a jam-style festival featuring headlong acts like Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Sound Tribe, Sector 9 and many more. It’s held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at the all-inclusive Breathless Resorts and Spa for five days, Dec. 3 through Dec. 7 on a beach with all inclusive food and drinks. This would be me if I could afford the lavish $1,700 price tag per person. For the jammy-hater of all things winter out there, this one’s for you.

If you’re ambitious enough, you can still get tickets to the premier winter bluegrass festival known as Strings and Sol. As reservations are almost booked up, this festival is also all inclusive and should not be missed by the avid bluegrass fan.The festival will be held Dec. 10 through the Dec. 14 in Puerto Morelos, Mexico and is hosting giant acts like Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon and Greensky Bluegrass for it’s fourth year. Nestled next to a beach and whatever you’d like your waitress to bring you, this is another top shelf event. So, If you don’t like dancing in the snow on your snowboard or skis and would prefer sand that never leaves your personal belongings, sign up.



Capping off the short round-up of snowless options leaves us with Jam Cruise. Yes, another jam festival, featuring EDM, funk, bluegrass and rock acts. But this time, on a boat. You could be on a boat during winter. I know, crazy. Going for an impressive 13 years and counting this cruise-ship-turned-party-float starts in Miami, Florida then coasts into Roatan, Honduras and Costa Maya, Mexico, then ending back in Miami. Headlining acts encompass a diverse range of sound with the likes of Pretty Lights, Umphrey’s McGee and Galactic. This is on my bucket list for sure and should also be on any avid music fan’s.

Now, If anyone would like to support my live music addiction, a Crowdfunding account may be in the near future. Someone has to go to one of these amazing, once-in-a-lifetime events, right? Fortunately, I enjoy the winter months.



Elliot Seng can tell a few stories. Especially the type where music takes the stage. His story started in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania back in 1987. At 27 years old, and residing in Steamboat Springs for the past five years, his dedication to music is more alive than ever. Whether at home in a robe harmonizing to a favorite vocalist or standing next to you at the weekend’s top gig dancing like a ninny, he cannot be ignored. In his short time on earth he’s a proven music junkie, and totally broke from it.


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