![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thatmusicmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_7981-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Written and photographed by: Jasmine Bowens<\/p>\n
Jam on the Grass<\/strong>, a grassroots music festival, marked its 12th celebration on Sept. 20 at the Abington Arts Center<\/strong> in Jenkintown, Pa.<\/strong><\/p>\n First, let\u2019s talk about the Abington Arts Center<\/strong>. As a Philadelphia<\/strong> native with family just seven miles away, I had no idea this beautiful gem even existed. The Arts Center<\/strong> is located on the historic Alverthorpe Manor<\/strong>, and it\u2019s truly a piece of American women\u2019s history right on the northwest outskirts of Philadelphia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Before finding its permanent home, the center began as the Old York Road Art Guild<\/strong>, a collective of 26 women who came together in 1939 to share and teach their love of the fine arts. The group eventually became a nonprofit under its current name in the 1960s. By 1970, they moved into the 27-acre Alverthorpe Manor<\/strong> estate, which now serves as a contemporary art museum and community hub offering art classes, events and even hosting weddings. More than 80 years later, the guild\u2019s mission lives on.<\/p>\n With such a rich history, beautiful grounds and a central location, it\u2019s no surprise that Philadelphia<\/strong>-based organizer Candice Johnson<\/strong>, owner of The Wallflower Observer<\/strong>, and the psychedelic garage-blues band Three Fourteen<\/strong> chose the Arts Center<\/strong> to host the 12th Jam on the Grass<\/strong>. This event blended music, art and movement into one unforgettable experience. This year\u2019s theme was nostalgia, honoring the past while embracing the future.<\/p>\n The theme was evident throughout the festival setup. The layout of the grounds echoed the festival\u2019s origins in a garage, reminding everyone of how it all began. It resembled a backyard including a smoking shed, a space away from the attendees of all ages. One heartfelt tribute included honoring Sir Lance A Lot<\/strong>, the beloved dog of Three Fourteen\u2019s Greg Hoffman<\/strong>, who recently passed away. Images of Sir Lance<\/strong> appeared in the festival\u2019s marketing as well.<\/p>\n Prior to the event, I took a look at the lineup and listened to a few of the songs from each of the musical acts in order of appearance at the festival. Angelo Outlaw Trio<\/strong> was slated to be first on stage at 1 p.m., Miss Cantaloupe<\/strong> at 2:20, Coop A Loop<\/strong> at 3:40, Sug Daniels<\/strong> at 5, Three Fourteen<\/strong> at 6:30, and the show closer Magic Beans<\/strong> at 8:45.<\/p>\n I knew I wasn\u2019t going to be able to stay for the whole festival and would be available later in the afternoon, so I paid special attention to the first three bands in my listening session.<\/p>\n I listened to Angelo Outlaw Trio\u2019s<\/strong> Access of Time<\/em> album, released March 15, 2024. It\u2019s been a while since I listened to jazz music, and The Angelo Outlaw Trio<\/strong> was a refreshing welcome back. I recommend \u201cDiamonds\u201d and \u201cSpeed of Light\u201d on the Access of Time<\/em> album. Both are a little more fast and up-tempo than the others. \u201cTime Traveler\u201d is a great song too. Actually, listen to the whole album. Play it while you\u2019re studying or doing whatever. Check him out live if you have the chance too. When was the last time you watched someone play the xylophone?<\/p>\n Miss Cantaloupe<\/strong> is a local festival regular whose music reminds me of a chaotic yet beautiful, bright and breezy Saturday afternoon as you hurry to get ready to host a BBQ, the moments when getting ready becomes more fun and less hectic. I wasn\u2019t familiar with her work, so I delved into her discography. I landed on her most recent album, Pout Party<\/em>, released Aug. 14, 2025. Once I started listening, I realized that I had heard one of her songs before. I believe I heard her single \u201cBestie\u201d in passing. It belongs in a rom-com movie. It has a very airy \u201960s vibe. The whole album is fun and an easy listen.<\/p>\n I figured I would arrive during Coop A Loop\u2019s<\/strong> set but wasn\u2019t sure, so I made sure I listened to Eric Cooper<\/strong> of Coop A Loop<\/strong>. It\u2019s important to note that Eric<\/strong> is a soloist. Since I didn\u2019t know too much about Eric<\/strong> or his music as Coop A Loop<\/strong>, I listened to his album The Sequel<\/em>, released April 22, 2025, and Coop A Loop the Album<\/em>, released in 2020. \u201cCoop City\u201d from The Album<\/em>, and from The Sequel<\/em> I like \u201cThrough the Wind Portal\u201d and \u201cPurple Sunflower.\u201d<\/p>\n After doing my research on the artists, I felt ready to discover new music. Sept. 20, 2025, couldn\u2019t have been a better day for the event. The festival opened at 11:30 a.m. with \u201cYoga with Melissa<\/strong>.\u201d An hour later, as guests explored vendors and the property, the music began.<\/p>\n I arrived just as Coop A Loop<\/strong> wrapped up their set and Sug Daniels<\/strong> prepared to perform. As the day went on, the crowd shifted, but the turnout was strong. Families, groups of friends and solo adventurers all spread across the spacious grounds. There was plenty of room to sit, stretch out or simply wander. A major bonus was the indoor, air-conditioned bathrooms conveniently located at the entrance of the venue. The trek to the food trucks had you walk past the stage. Everything sounded smooth no matter where you were situated in relation to the stage.<\/p>\n I grabbed a giant gyro from one of the trucks and settled on the grass. No blanket or chair this time, but thankfully the ground was dry. From there, I listened to Sug Daniels<\/strong> and people-watched. I\u2019ve never heard of Sug Daniels<\/strong>, and it was nice to discover her music live. Yes, I listened to \u201cSip the Years\u201d from the album The Future Already Happened<\/em>, but hearing her live gave me a holistic feel of who she is as an artist.<\/p>\n Later, I stopped by the Liberty Cannabis<\/strong> table, where the festival sponsor handed out plenty of free swag. I also picked up a 3D-printed dinosaur from Imagination Creations 3D Printing<\/strong>. There were plenty of vendors, from knickknacks to musical and visual artists selling their wares.<\/p>\n As dusk settled in, Three Fourteen<\/strong> took the stage. Their set perfectly bridged the day\u2019s sunny, family-friendly atmosphere with the evening\u2019s more energetic vibe. I\u2019m not sure of the songs they played, but since they were the headliners, I made sure I revisited their latest album when I got home. I knew Out Yonder<\/em> was their latest album, released March 2025 and recorded live, but with my first listen I didn\u2019t give it the undivided attention it deserved and I couldn\u2019t stay through their full set.<\/p>\n As I was leaving, it was clear that I should have planned to arrive earlier and stay until the end. People were leaving as I came into the festival, but those parking spots were quickly replaced by those who came later looking to enjoy the second half of the show. I was sad to leave because the vibe was great.<\/p>\n By the time I left, I was full, had met new people and discovered new bands to follow. I wasn\u2019t able to stay for Magic Beans<\/strong>, the last act, but I listened to some of their songs while I wrote this article. Very tranquil. Jazz rock, but less on the rock. It\u2019s just chill. Impendo Destructo<\/em> is their current full-length album. Press play and take a listen.<\/p>\n The 12th Jam on the Grass<\/strong> was my first, and it ended on the perfect note. Next year, I hope to see an even bigger crowd, and I\u2019ll be sure to spread the word. For more information about Jam on the Grass<\/strong>, please follow both The Wallflower Observer<\/strong> and Three Fourteen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Contact :<\/p>\n Sug\u202fDaniels | Instagram |<\/a>Facebook|<\/a>Linktree| TikTok<\/a> Miss\u202fCantaloupe | Linktree <\/a>|<\/p>\n Coop\u202fA\u202fLoop | Instagram |<\/a>Facebook<\/a>|<\/p>\n Three Fourteen | Linktree<\/a> |<\/p>\n Magic\u202fBeans | Instagram |<\/a>Facebook<\/a>|Twitter\/X<\/a>| YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Angelo\u202fOutlaw\u202fTrio| Apple Music\u00a0 |<\/a> Bandcamp<\/a> |<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thatmusicmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_7980-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thatmusicmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_7983-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thatmusicmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_7988-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thatmusicmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_7991-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n