By Jenn Sheridan ·
When: Aug. 21 | 11 p.m.
Where: “MS Dixie II” | Zephyr Cove, Nev.
Admission: $50-$65 | 21+
It’s not just DJ party. It’s not just a concert. It’s not just a boat ride. Rock the Boat is a whole new way to experience nightlife on the lake in Tahoe with the Pre-Burn Bon Voyage Party. Set sail with Capt. Zach Garrison on the “MS Dixie II” for a night fully immersed in multiple levels of music. Each floor on the boat features different artists playing different styles of music for a genre bending experience lasting late into the night.
Garrison, who is boat captain with SWA Watersports by day, wanted to bring something new to the music scene in Tahoe. While the area suffers no lack of great venues, most good music is heard at bars and casinos. The scene doesn’t change.
“What drives me to do music in Tahoe is creating venues that people have never been to, or maybe they’ve been there but not like this,” said Garrison.
The captain, along with his wife, Shannon, launched the first Rock the Boat party in July 2013 with the electronic and live band fusion group Afrolicious headlining the show. The party was a hit and soon returned to the boat in August 2013 with Emancipator spinning the beats.
In 2014, Rock the Boat expanded to include five events over the summer bringing some big names to one of the most unique venues in the area. Every event includes a variety of music from house and trap to funk and hip-hop and mixes electronic with live bands. The Pre-Burn Bon Voyage Party on Aug. 21 brings the return of Emancipator to the deck and is the perfect way for Burning Man attendees to prepare for The Playa.
“Emancipator went so well last year we had to have them back. They’re kind of a Tahoe favorite,” said Garrison.
Known for his ethereal melodies and addictive beats, Doug Appling, more popularly known as Emancipator, is able to captivate a diverse audience. Add in the mystical sounds of live violin from Ilya Goldberg for a performance that has to be experienced to be understood.
DJ SABO comes north from his base in Los Angeles to bringing a mix of influences from Reggae, Afrobeat, Brazilian beats and funk to his tropical house tunes.
Local Tahoe DJs also hold down the scene on the “MS Dixie II.” Zeb Early, a DJ and musician who jams with local favorites such as Peter Joseph Burtt and the King Tide, and Mama’s Cookin’ will be spinning some bass-heavy reggae and hip-hop with influenced rooted in funk and soul.
Shane Suffriti and Andrew Posada have teamed up under the name Subtropixx to create Trap beats. Catch some funky, dub beats from DJ Rundown and the variety mix of tribal, world-step glitchy sounds from DubColing.
Also on board for the evening is Reno’s seven-piece funk outfit Mojo Green, who will be serving up dirty, funky dance tunes all night long.
Rock the Boat is just the first part of Garrison’s vision to create fun, funky venues in familiar Tahoe places.
“I have a good idea of what people what to do or see,” said Garrison. “Let’s mix it up. We’ve been to the casinos, we’ve been to the bars and not to take anything away from them, they’re great venues, but let’s do something different.”
Garrison is working with other businesses in the area to create more opportunities to bring fun music to new locations. The next Rock the Boat event will be on Sept. 18, and on Oct. 31 the “MS Dixie II” will be the place to show off amazing costumes during the Ghost Ship Halloween party.
For more information on more events Capt. Zach will be cooking up, visit rocktheboatparties.com or facebook.com/rocktheboatparty.
