Local Jam, a concert series that began in 2015, held its concert series over the weekend. Over 30 bands, including Wave 11 and Sworn Us Under performed in a three day event benefiting low-income families. The series began with a kick off party on Friday night at Barons Grill and concluded Sunday night at the Las Colonias Amphitheater.

The concert series raised money for HOPE of the Grand Valley (HOTGV), an organization that lends aid to low-income families; attempting to give a hand up rather than a handout. HOTGV attempts to help families that may otherwise be overlooked: families that make too much money to qualify for government assistance yet not enough to pay their bills.

Local Jam itself originated in 2015 after Aaron Seibert from the band Jack + Jill and William Monroe from Suite Vibes wanted to give the valley a big musical jam featuring local artists and vendors. Local Jam 2015 was considered a success and the event has been happening ever since.

This year’s event began at Barons Grill with a kickoff party featuring four bands: Moonfarmer, Nightwhip, Suckafish and NC-17’s. Doors opened at 8:00 p.m. and music began at 9:00 p.m.

The rest of the jam took place at Las Colonias Amphitheater on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m. on both days. Las Colonias Amphitheater featured two stages, a main stage and a fusion audio stage, with new artists every hour until the headliners took to the stage at 9:15 p.m. both days.