sweetlife vendor spotlight: the wharf

March 26, 2013

With May 11th just around the corner, we can’t help but get excited about the seafood in the wharf section of #sweetlife2013’s experience forest!

Luke Holden of Luke’s Lobster was born in a small coastal town in Maine. After trying out a career in finance, Luke took up the lobstering life and opened up the first Luke’s Lobster in New York’s East Village in 2009. Since then, Luke has opened 8 other Luke’s Lobsters, including three in DC! Their menu features authentic Maine style lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls – and that’s just some of what they’ll be serving up at #sweetlife2013!

Rappahannock Oyster Company can trace its founding all the way back to 1899, when James Arthur Croxton, Jr. began harvesting oysters at the bottom of the Rappahannock River in Virginia. Since then, the company has had a tradition of providing customers with bay oysters that possess the unique flavors of the Chesapeake Bay region. Check out any of their three restaurants in the DC area or get your first taste of these oysters at the festival!

Hammer & Claws is New York City’s first, and only, authentic Maryland Blue Crab Feast. Their mission is to bring the taste of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay to those who do not have delicious blue crabs in their backyard, which is probably most of us. Their blue crabs come straight from the Chesapeake to our plates at #sweetlife2013!

sweetlife artist spotlight: youth lagoon

March 25, 2013

Trevor Powers of Boise, Idaho has been making music under the stage name Youth Lagoon since 2010. He released his first album, The Year of Hibernation, in 2011 at the age of 22. Youth Lagoon’s second album, Wondrous Bughouse, dropped earlier this month and has the same qualities that left fans of Powers’ first album begging for more.

Make sure to check out “Dropla” and “Mute” from Wondrous Bughouse below & get ready for Youth Lagoon at #sweetlife2013!

sweetlife music spotlight: foxygen

March 22, 2013

We can’t stop listening to the psychedelic, ’60s-style music of Foxygen. Their unique sound is the product of songwriting duo Sam France and Jonathan Rado. The two met in middle school in Agoura Hills, CA and have been experimenting with music ever since.

Since signing with Jagjaguwar Records in 2011, Foxygen has released two albums, Take The Kids off Broadway (2012) and We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (2013), both of which combine playful, unconventional sounds to create a genre that is almost impossible to define. If you haven’t already, take a listen and get pumped for what’s sure to be an awesome performance at #sweetlife2013.

sweetlife vendor spotlight: the market pt. II

March 21, 2013

As we continue our countdown to May 11, we’re excited to profile a few more awesome vendors that you can catch at the Market at #sweetlife2013:

Founded in 1986, Bakery de France has become one of the most respected bakeries in the Washington, DC area. To preserve a philosophy of value and tradition, their artisan breads are crafted with only the finest, all-natural ingredients through a process that allows the dough to evolve freely and rise naturally. With whiffs of fresh baguette swirling through the air, we’re sure you’ll have no trouble finding Bakery de France at the sweetlife market.

Sticky Fingers is a “sweets and eats” bakery with a mission to create 100% vegan treats that are just as tasty (and much healthier, may we add!) than non-vegan options. And as a two-time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, it seems that Sticky Fingers has got it down. Not really a dessert person? Not a problem – they’ve got an entire vegan menu of savory sandwiches and salads that will make your mouth water.

The Chia Company specializes in the sustainable farming of Chia seeds in select parts of Australia. In an effort to contribute to the well-being of the global community, all of their products are 100% natural and chemical-free. “Chia” is the Mayan word for “strength,” and as the highest plant-based source of Omega 3, fiber, and protein, it surely lives up to its name. Look out for the Chia Pod on May 11 and grab a healthy treat to keep yourself energized throughout the night.

sweetlife artist spotlight: haerts

March 20, 2013

[photo from facebook.com/haertsmusic]

Haerts has only released one track since they emerged last year, but their smooth rhythms and electro-synth wails have garnered a lot of attention. They were recently signed by Neon Gold records, co-founded by none other than sweetlife 2013 artist Lizzy of MS MR!

Listen to “Wings” below, and don’t worry – you’ll be hearing a lot more of what they’ve got at #sweetlife2013!

sweetlife experience spotlight: festival partners pt. 1

March 19, 2013

This year, we’ve teamed up with some of our favorite companies to make #sweetlife2013 more than just a music and food experience. Check out a few of our awesome festival partners that you can look forward to seeing on May 11: 

Chubbies is a brand focused on creating “utterly radical” shorts for any guy who’s tired of the same old work pants. Mid-thigh-length and bold in color, these shorts will stand out as fresh new addition to your wardrobe. So throw on some Chubbies and enjoy the perfect beach day, grill out with friends, or jam out to your favorite bands at an awesome music festival (catch our drift?). And as Chubbies promises — “your thighs will thank you.”

Cult Gaia is a Los Angeles-based brand celebrating the whimsical side of life with their handmade “turbands” (turban headbands) and floral crowns. According to founder Jasmin Larian, these headpieces were designed to encourage free spirit and an exploration of rebellion, romance, and expression. You’ll be able to snag a some Cult Gaia at the festival & add some flair to your #sweetlife2013.

Fat Worm is the company behind Washington’s Organic Recycling Mission (WORM). They work to combat the change in our Earth’s climate by reducing organic, compostable materials in landfills across our nation. With their help, we’ve created tri-waste stations that will minimize the amount of trash headed to landfills after the festival. So keep an eye out for these stations and make sure to use them, as all napkins, cups, and utensils given out by vendors will be compostable.

sweetlife artist spotlight: ms mr

March 16, 2013

New York duo Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow, who together make up the band MS MR (she the MS and he the MR), have been making a name for themselves since they dropped their first EP, Candy Bar Creep Show. Though MS MR is a pop band through and through, they mix classic pop with dark edginess – perfectly embodied in their song “Dark Doo Wop.”

Make sure to listen to the full EP before the festival (we promise you won’t regret it), and while you’re at it check out their new single “Fantasy”. Their new album Secondhand Rapture is slated to drop May 14, just days after sweetlife, and we can’t wait to hear more of it at the festival!

sweetlife vendor spotlight: the toppings bar

March 15, 2013

For all you lucky sweetlife goers, here’s another thing to look forward to at the festival: the toppings bar! Because everyone knows that a good sandwich (or salad) is nothing without toppings…

Sir Kensington’s is renowned for two inarguable staples of a good American toppings bar: gourmet ketchup and mayonnaise. Fun fact: the former is a product the company claims was unheard of before Sir Kensington’s entered the market.

Calling all relish lovers! Gordy’s Pickle Jar will be providing its famous sweet pepper relish, made with pickled cucumbers, peppers and onion. sweetlife just got a little sweeter.

Finally, don’t miss the tasty mustard from Jason’s Deli! With 5 locations in the DC Area, Jason’s Deli is committed to fresh, healthy food. Fun fact: they were the first major restaurant concept to ban artificial trans fats in the US, and to eliminate high fructose corn syrup.

 

Tags: sweetlife, sweetlife 2013, sweetlife festival | Posted by sweetgreen

sweetlife vendor spotlight: the market pt. I

March 11, 2013

We’re just two months out from #sweetlife2013 and everything’s coming together nicely. Here are a few of the vendors who will be serving up coffee, gelato, & more in the Market!

Vigilante is a DC-based company inspired the coffee founder Chris Vigilante encountered in Hawaii. Their unique roasts are available all around DC and they’ll be brewing up your caffeine fix at the sweetlife festival.

Dolcezza is one of DC’s most popular gelato and coffee spots. Stop by the Market at sweetlife between sets & cool off with some of their artisanal gelato flavors like avocado honey orange, valrhona chocolate armago, and cucumber tarragon gin.

KIND Snacks has grown a lot in the past year with their selection of granola bars made from “ingredients you can see and pronounce.” We’re big fans of KIND at sweetgreen, since we share the same passion for ingredients. Grab a KIND bar in the Market on May 11 & spread some kindness.

sweetlife vendor spotlight: the tavern

March 7, 2013

We know spending an entire day in the sun can stir up an appetite, but don’t worry – we’ve got the necessary drinks to wash it all down. For our 21+ crowd, you’ll be able to quench your thirst at the Tavern, featuring five local breweries and a winery. Here is the official Tavern lineup:  

Photo Credit: DC Brau

DC Brau - with names like “The Citizen,” “The Public” and “The Corruption,” you better believe this brew reigns from Washington. Bottled in 100% recyclable aluminum cans, we were happy to add the green brewery to our list of tavern vendors. 

Photo Credit: Washington City Paper

Chocolate City Beer - each beer from this brewery has its own unique DC-inspired story. From honoring the Latin American community with their Cerveza Nacional de la Capital, to paying tribute to the monument in Anacostia with the Big Chair IPA, Chocolate City Beer offers a variety of delicious brews. And if the titles aren’t quirky enough, the labels are even cooler!

Photo Credit: Flying Dog Ales

Flying Dog - the funky names and labels keep flowing with Flying Dog’s hilarious brews. The renowned Raging Bitch sits next to other favorites such as Pearl Necklace and Gonzo, and Hunter S. Thompson-inspired artwork gives these bottles true personality. You really can’t go wrong.

Photo Credit: Mountain State Brewing

Mountain State Brewing Co. - as the largest full-scale micro-brewery in West Virginia, Mountain State Brewing offers five hand crafted beers: three different types of ale, an oatmeal stout and a seasonal porter.

Photo Credit: Daily Beer Review

Peak Organic - as the website reads, “Peak is a craft brewing company, dedicated to making delicious beer using local, artisan and organic ingredients.” Sounds just like sweetgreen, huh? Among the variety of 15 beers lies a beer for every season, a local series, and uniquely flavored brews such as pomegranate wheat ale and mocha stout. Locally grown grains, coffee beans, oats and hops from Maine add true flavor and character to these brews. 

Photo Credit: Boordy Vineyards

Boordy Vineyards- following a mantra similar to sweetgreen’s, the folks at Boordy Vineyards “treasure art and music and love to dance.” Could they be any more down for sweetlife festival? The vineyard is located in Baltimore County, Maryland, and we can’t wait to try some of their homegrown reds and whites!

Get familiar with the full food experience here on the sweetlife festival website.