Top Five Labor Day Weekend Destinations

Labor Day is the unofficial “last day of summer” so many of us anticipate this weekend. Most people take advantage of this three day weekend and make the most of it by planning a kind of “mini vacation” where we can escape and enjoy the last days of summer. But where does everyone usually go?

According to Patrick Clarke of travelpulse.com, Expedia revealed 2014’s top Labor Day destinations in North America based on their flight booking for last year.

Here are the Top Five:

5. Chicago! Chicago is on its 37th year of holding the Chicago Jazz Festival. It is a three day free event that both locals and people from out of town can enjoy on Labor Day Weekend. Another reason to visit Chicago for Labor Day Weekend is the North Coast Music Festival. It is a 3 day event that will be featuring musical acts including Steve Aoki, The Roots, Atmosphere, and many more.

4. Orlando! Orlando is home to a number of attractions so its no wonder why it was a top destination. Not only can you visit Walt Disney World and Sea World but there are also numerous summer festivals happening not only Labor Day Weekend but all summer long.

3. Cancun! What doesn’t Cancun have to offer? Those who travel to Cancun for Labor Day Weekend will get to enjoy white, sandy beaches and plenty of pool and parties. You can go on a cruise or stay a long side the beach in any number of hotels.

2. New York! One major draw to NYC for Labor Day Weekend for some people is Electric Zoo. This 3 day EDM music festival will take place at Randall’s Island Park and will be featuring artists like Galantis, Above & Beyond, and Zed’s Dead just to name a few.

1. Las Vegas! It is no surprise that Las Vegas takes the spot as the number one place to visit for Labor Day Weekend. Las Vegas is essentially a playground for adults, with its unlimited supply of pool parties, casinos, and clubs with big name DJs, so it makes sense its the most popular way to say goodbye to the summer season. This year, Till Dawn Group has got you hooked up if you are going to Vegas for Labor Day Weekend. Till Dawn Group can provide you with free access to night clubs Friday all the way up to Labor Day but also day club access the entire weekend as well. If your planning a spontaneous trip to Vegas this weekend, we’ve got the hook ups to discounted room rates too!

Where ever you end up this weekend, have a great time, be safe, and enjoy your last days of summer!

-Anissa

Nocturnal Wonderland Camping

Music festivals are more popular than ever. However, with consecutive days of fun can also come a lot of stress when you and your friends try to figure out where to stay. One option that may be perfect for those who want to spend as little as possible and not have to worry about getting to and from the event each night, is camping.

Camping offers quite a bit to those who choose it. For the next upcoming festival in SoCal, Nocturnal Wonderland, campers get a whole array of benefits that the other festival goers don’t get.

1. You have options! Campers get the choice between RV camping, car camping, tent camping, and you can even get a “glamping” setup, or glamours camping, from Insomniac. It includes a whole set of provided amenities. You and your crew can pick the setup for your specific needs.
2. One pass for your whole group! Each pass works for as many people as can legally fit in your car so you only have to buy one or two depending on your group size, allowing you to save quite a bit of money.
3. Campground activities! Insomniac provides other activities you can do with your friends during the day and even after the festival ends for the night. There is morning yoga, a water park, arts and crafts, and even fishing during the day, so you can relax and keep cool while you wait for night. After the festival ends at 2 am, back at the campgrounds there is a Silent Disco till 6 am, allowing ravers to keep on raving and those who are tired to get some sleep without being disturbed.

4. You can come and go from the festival! Since you and your group will only be about a 10-15 minute walk from the festival to the campground, you can leave to take breaks if you wish. You can go back to your tent and relax for awhile or have a few beers and then head back to the festival as often and for as long as you want. All you need is your camping wristband and your event ticket.

5. Make new friends! Since the campground is limited in space, groups tend to get pretty cozy with one another because they are so close. You can meet other campers and groups all around you and get to know them for the next three days.

6. Bring everything you need! Although there is a list of prohibited items, you are allowed to bring quite a few things. You can bring beer and wine (one case per person) as long as its not in glass bottles. You can bring food and grills which is handy as food can get pricey. You can even decorate your tent to make it as festive or simple as you want.

While there are some downsides including being unable to escape the heat an no single day camping passes, the benefits seem to outweigh them. I’ll be camping for the first time at Nocturnal myself in a couple of weekends and cannot wait!

-Anissa

http://www.nocturnalwonderland.com/experience/camping/

Uber Teams Up with Live Nation

This year, Uber has joined with Live Nation to provide festival goers with a seemingly easy way to get to and from their musical festivals. It seems like the perfect deal. No one in your group has to worry about being the designated driver but you also get a safe ride to and from your festival.

This agreement started in May and will continue throughout the year at twenty festivals throughout the nation. Included in this arrangement are designated drop-off and pick-up parking lots specifically for Uber users as well as a $20 off promo code for first timers. The full list of festivals is listed below:

Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) – New York, NY
Sasquatch! – George, WA
EDC Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
Windy City Lakeshake – Chicago, IL
Farmborough – New York, NY
Faster Horses – Brooklyn, MI
Jamboree in the Hills – Belmont, OH
Watershed – Quincy, WA
HARD Summer Music Festival – Los Angeles, CA
Delaware Junction – Harrington, DE
Nocturnal Wonderland – Los Angeles, CA
Music Midtown – Atlanta, GA
Beyond Wonderland – Mountain View, CA
Route 91 Harvest – Las Vegas, NV
Escape: All Hallow’s Eve – Los Angeles, CA
Voodoo Music & Arts Experience – New Orleans, LA
HARD Day of the Dead – Los Angeles, CA
EDC Orlando – Orlando, FL
White Wonderland – Anaheim, CA

The Good:

By setting a designated “Uber parking lot” so to speak, it makes it much simpler for both drivers and riders to find where they need to go for the easiest entry to the festival as well as the exit from it. Riders do not have to waste time and potentially miss their favorite sets by circling around or waiting in lines just to find a drop off location. Drivers are able to maximize the amount of money they earn by making each pick up and drop off as quickly as possible. Finally, those who have never used Uber before get a sweat promo code that allows them to get $20 off.

The Bad:

Most festival goers have already used Uber in the past, making most of the $20 dollar off promo codes useless. Uber gives a promo code to each ticket festival holder, but since many people go to multiple festivals, the promo code is automatically deemed useless. In addition, because so many people thought it would be easier to get an Uber with this new partnership, in turn, more people used it. The ride there may be easy because people are coming from all different areas but the ride home is certainly not as simple. This past weekend at Hard Summer, it was extremely difficult to get a ride home. Many festival goers had to walk at least a mile or two from the venue for even a glimmer of hope of getting an Uber by heading away from the frenzy. Even still, the wait was at least an hour and a half to find an available Uber.

Conclusion:

The ride to the festival, wherever that may be is certainly easy with an Uber. However, you and your friends should make alternative arrangements for the journey home or at the very least be prepared to wait a long while.

But have no fear! Till Dawn Group is here! Till Dawn Group offers a huge array of transportation services, whether it be for you and your significant other are a large group of friends. So always remember that you always have options with TD group! Click here to make arrangements for your next festival transportation.

-Anissa

MDBP: The Next Summer Festival

After the heat wave of the Hard Summer Music Festival weekend, 2015 has another two-day long event coming to SoCal. Mad Decent has two locations for its Californian fans: San Diego and Los Angeles. Although the San Diego lineup is only for one day (Sep 13), it will still have a great lineup. The Los Angeles dates (Sep 19 and 20) offer a closer lineup to the one Hard had since it spans over two days. In fact, quite a few of the performers from Hard Summer are a part of the lineup for Mad Decent (Bro Safari, Daktyl, Mija, What So Not, etc). However, after attending HSMF, a lot of those anticipating MDBP know what to prepare for: the heat!

A few things to consider bringing to Mad Decent this year is: sunscreen, a personal mister, a refillable tin water bottle, a foldable fan, bandanas or small towels, and maybe even some hand sanitizer. All these items are allowed to the event, and there will be free water refill stations! So you won’t have to worry too much about the sun, just remember to stay hydrated!

Mad Decent is an event started by Diplo— a close friend to Dillon Francis, lead of Hard Summer. Due to their friendship and similar personal circles, it’s no brainer as to why the lineups are so similar. So, if you happened to miss out on any of your favorite DJs at Hard, Mad Decent offers a second chance to see them! (MDBP LA)

Tickets are selling out fast, so don’t miss out on this opportunity. If you check StubHub or the Facebook event page, you may be able to find someone who is selling their extra tickets closer to the day of the event— it will just be an elevated price range. Last year, tickets were being priced at $100-150 for one day access the day before the event. Hopefully, prices won’t go as high as this past weekend’s Hard sales (ranging from $300-700 for a single day ticket).

Mad Decent Block Party truly is a party at its core. Everyone is there to have fun while listening to great music. It’s not as much of a music festival as Hard Summer, seeing as there is only one stage and a shorter lineup for each day— but it offers all of the same excitement and fun. So get ready to dance and party with Diplo and friends this September! If you’re planning on attending the San Diego MDBP, try getting a party bus to make the one day event even more fun! Contact Till Dawn Group for scheduling and rates. And if you’re planning on going to the LA MDBP, Till Dawn can set you up with a local hotel room so you won’t have to worry about driving back and forth from home! (Till Dawn Group)

– Emi

Electric Zoo 2015- New York’s Summer Music Festival

Are you ready for the NYC EDM event of the summer? Coming back to the City this Labor Day weekend is Electric Zoo: Transformed- held at Randall’s Island Park from September 4th – 6th. Summer is the perfect time to get outside and let your hair down, and Electric Zoo is the perfect weekend getaway to wrap up fun in the sun this season. A multi-stage event offering top artists across the spectrum of EDM sub-genres, Electric Zoo 2015 will bring together fans from all over the world. The lineup includes some of my favorite artists: such as The Chemical Brothers, Above & Beyond, Alesso, Adventure Club, Deorro, Madeon, 3LAU, TJR, Thomas Jack, Robin Schulz, and more to be announced! General Admission starts at $89.00, and tickets are selling out fast so don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your family from around the world!

What to expect:

-Admissions are 18+ yrs, doors open at 1 pm

-Food includes NY Street vendors, offering burgers, hot dogs and pizza, as well as vegan/vegetarian options

-Beverages include beer, wine and champagne for those 21+ yrs, cocktails/liquor available in VIP

-ATMS, lockers, and First Aid stations are available throughout the grounds

-Transportation via the NYC MTA (Randall’s Island Park bus stop from Manhattan, direct route buses from Brooklyn, or Ferry rides)

-$20 discounts offered for Uber rides using promo code ELECTRICZOO

-Re-entry into the event is not permitted. Once you’ve exited for the day, you can only re-enter the next day if you have a multi-day pass

-Check out the great deals you can get on hotels/transportation for you and your friends in the City booking with Till Dawn Group

So the question is- what are you waiting for? Get ready for the most epic weekend of the summer NYC, buy your tickets here before they sell out!

-Miranda

Food For All

Food For All

Have you ever had one of those days that no one in your group can decide what they want to eat? Have you spent a good hour bringing up ideas and finally decided that giving up on food sounds easier than continuing the topic? If yes, then you and your friends should definitely check out the Anaheim Packing House District.

The Packing House, as everybody knows it, offers various options that all your friends will enjoy. You can choose from one of the many restaurants and have a sit down meal there, or order to go from one of the other shops and have a seat anywhere you choose in the warehouse. They offer a diverse selection of food from Indian curry, Japanese ramen and sushi, Vietnamese dishes, Southern BBQ, to fish and chips. Not too hungry? Want dessert? Not a problem. There are many options to choose including the juice bar, the ice cream shops, and crepe place. Not in the mood for food? Well, you’re in luck because they also have beer and wine shops you can visit.

Grab your choice of food or dessert, or both, I don’t judge, and head down to the first floor for a table. Chat with friends or enjoy one of the many live bands that perform daily. Grab a Popbar Popsicle and walk around the venue taking pictures of it and posting it to Instagram. Its what everybody does. Spend time on the outside patio after you’re done eating and enjoy the nice summer weather by lying down in the cool shaded grass or grabbing a lawn chair if they are open. Check out the park in front of the warehouse and walk around. Did you know they have a vegetable garden in the park? Whatever it is you choose to do, at least you’ll have your friends, food, and a good time and that’s all that matters in the end.

Check this link out for a list of shops at the Anaheim Packing House District:

http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com/merchants

-Maexiry

What You Can Expect From Hard Summer

For those of you who were quick enough to get tickets for this year’s Hard Summer Music Festival or those who are considering it as an alternative to some other events, here is some info to get you excited for this weekend’s Hard event.

Hard Summer differs from other events (especially Insomniac events) for a couple different reasons. If you haven’t gone to any Hard events, than you may not be quite sure what to expect.

1. Hard Summer will be held at the Pomona Fairplex which is perfect for OC locals. This means that most people won’t have to book a hotel if they live locally as they can just drive to the venue since it is so close.

2. Hard is a much simpler experience, focusing largely on the musical performances without all the flash. Unlike Insomniac events, the production is much more simple, allowing for music lovers to focus on just that, the music. While not as flashy or elaborate as some other events, Hard still makes for a great time and great choice for a summer festival.

3. Hard Summer is only two days, unlike some other major summer events (EDC, Nocturnal, etc). This is perfect for those who need more than one day but have to get back to work on Monday. Its also a little kinder to your wallet as well.

4. The event is Saturday and Sunday and lasts about 24 hours in total. The event begins at 12 pm and ends at 12 am. This can be both good and bad depending. While you get less hours to be able to party under the cover of the night, it is still fun to go crazy during the summer days.

5. One new addition is that Hard has designated a particular parking lot for those who use Uber for easy drop off and pick up. They even included a $2o coupon code for first time Uber users for ticket holders.

I am personally most excited to see ODESZA on Saturday. I can’t wait! Who are you excited to see?

If you have been a regular user of Uber and can’t use the coupon, hit up Till Dawn to book you a safe and stylish ride to and from Hard or any of your events here.

-Anissa

LA’s Outdoor Bar Experience

Los Angeles is known for having a million places worth exploring, eating, and drinking at. During the colder season we often go to indoor restaurants and bars to stay nice and warm. Then summer happens and we all want to head outside and bask in the warmth. You try to go for cool food and eat outside whenever possible. But what about the bar scene? Do you have an outdoor spot to hang out at? If nothing comes to mind, you definitely want to check out this list of popular outdoor bars as a starting point.

http://laist.com/2015/05/07/best_bars_for_outdoor_drinking.php

These are the perfect places to relax and catch up with friends while taking advantage of the beautiful summer weather. Sit under the relaxing shade and up against the comfy couches and order a round of drinks and share stories of what you guys have been up to since the last time you saw each other. Talk about the silly things that happened to you or ask your friends for advice on your new life adventures. Because seriously, who wants to be cooped up at home drinking in someone’s living room talking about life and whatnot, when you can be doing so at any other place of your liking. You have the ability to explore the playground that is LA. Its close, diverse, and offers hours of entertainment and best of all, its close to wherever you live.

It also offers the much needed bar scene that we all want without being stuffed into one hot room like some of the bars that we frequent. Yeah, you know which one. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but a change of scenery never does any harm, and who knows, you might find your new weekend hangout place along the way.

I myself will be checking some out soon and seeing if the hype is worth the reviews.

-Maexiry

 

 

 

 

 

Nighttime Fun in OC

Music and nightlife is often associated with the idea of driving a far distance from home to have a good time. For example, Los Angeles is often given the label of being a major center of clubbing— and although this may be true, it doesn’t mean LA is the only place you can go to have fun at night! Orange County has its own collection of small venues that cater to the music needs of various crowds. One crowd that has been in demand for events and live shows is the EDM crowd. More often than not, EDM listeners often lurk on TicketMaster and StubHub hoping to find tickets for events at the Shrine, Paladium, or Club Nokia. But the Orange County clubs have a lot to offer too! Here’s a list of EDM events that are happening this July at local venues:

SUTRA OC (Newport / Costa Mesa)

The great thing about this location is that Till Dawn Group can get you on the guestlist! Be sure to contact the office to make sure you get to see the DJ’s you want at Sutra~ Always plan ahead though, this location gathers a HUGE crowd— (TDG)

• July 17: Benny Benassi
• July 18: Laidback Luke
• July 25: POSSO
• July 30: Cash Cash
• July 31: BassJackers

THE YOST (Santa Ana)

This venue is actually considered a historic landmark! Although the exterior and interior may still have an old city feel, the music they play there is anything but vintage! The Yost offers “Havoc Thursdays”, nights dedicated to EDM music! They do offer ticket sales online and at a box office, but if you get on their mailing list you have the chance to request a spot on the guestlist!

• July 16: Doctor P
• July 17: DJ Drew (102.7 KiisFM)
• July 23: Will Sparks
• July 24: Gladiator

THE OBSERVATORY OC (Santa Ana / Costa Mesa)

Previously known as The Galaxy, this location has a lot of musical history. Due to the venue’s openness to new talents and artists with ambition, it has the reputation of being “hipster”. But this should not dissuade you from checking out their diverse lineups (anything from metal to hip hop to trance)! Being a smaller building, the Observatory offers a more intimate setting where you can really FEEL the music!

• July 16: Kill the Noise
• July 16: Little Boots
• July 31: Melanie Martinez
• July 31: The Colourist

Be sure to check out all the different options Orange County has to offer! It may be a different vibe than the fast paced clubs of Los Angeles or San Diego, but it will still be just as fun— if not more! So plan an night out with your friends and go big! Think of getting some fun transportation or getting on the Sutra guestlist using Till Dawn Group! Summer is too short to wait for only the big events like Hard or Mad Decent Block Party! Try something new and have a great time~ (TDG Yelp)

-Emi

The Soundtrack of Your Summer

Summer 2015 is definitely a summer dedicated to new music and experiences. While many beach goers and city walkers plan out their itineraries, one thing the masses have in common is music! Although not everyone is listening to the same style, there is one genre that is making waves across all music tastes: Tropical House.

This genre has humble beginnings, starting with a few music producers experimenting with light-hearted melodies and easy listening instruments— Tropical House has exploded from a select five or six songs to six or seven websites dedicated to discovering new artists and remixes. And although there are definitely names that stand out as representative of the genre, like Thomas Jack and Kygo, it is still open to all hopeful DJ’s waiting to make it big. Due to the upbeat tones in Tropical House, it’s a very clear choice to represent the summer. It helps complete the scene for a drive to the beach, a day at the pier, or lounging on a day bed at a pool!

If you’re not too familiar with the Tropical House, no fear! Here are some playlists and mixes that are great gateways to discovering the chill vibes that make up this style:

1. James Carter — Deep Tropical House Vol. 2 (SoundCloud)

• This hour long mix gives you a taste of all the more drive-soundtrack mood for your next trip up to Santa Monica or down to San Diego!

2. I Am Caturdays — For Her Morning (SoundCloud)

• This playlist, one that is constantly growing as more songs come out, will be great if you want a continuous update for your Tropical House needs.

3. Thomas Jack — Tropical House Vol 6. with Kygo (SoundCloud)

• This is another mix with a duration of an hour; however, this features one of the leading names in Kygo— who has music featured on the mainstream radio!

Hopefully these collections will help you expand your knowledge of what EDM is becoming! And if you’re already aware of what Tropical House is and enjoy it, these mixes will be a musical treat.

If you’re planning any trips this summer, get in contact with Till Dawn Group! We’ll help give you the greatest experiences you could imagine— and maybe you’ll now have Tropical House as your summer soundtrack~ So the next time you’re thinking of going to Vegas or just an adventure around, don’t hesitate to contact TDG for transportation, hotels, and guestlists! (Till Dawn Group)

– Emi