Mental Awakening Festival Returns in Atlanta

Westside Motor Lounge welcomes the return of Mental Awakening, a two-day festival filled with live music, local art, and community spirit, on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, 2025. Presented by Crawfish For A Cause, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, the annual event brings together music lovers, artists, and advocates for an unforgettable weekend — all in support of critical mental health initiatives in the Atlanta area. Now in its fifth year, Mental Awakening has grown from a backyard gathering with just two bands into a multi-day festival that draws over 2,000 attendees, showcases a dozen bands, and raises thousands of dollars to support local nonprofits working directly with individuals, schools, and treatment centers across the community.

The 2025 lineup is packed with standout performances from Eggy, Shadowgrass, Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Clay Street Unit, Dizgo, Arkansauce, Nether Hour, Potch, Three Star Revival, Cody Matlock, Spaghetti Western, The Regulars, The Redwoods, and Tate Renner. Whether music fans are longtime supporters or first-time festivalgoers, the diverse mix of jam bands, bluegrass, rock, and funk offers something for everyone.

Along with two full days of music, guests can explore work from local artists, enjoy a wide variety of food and drinks, and dig into the festival’s signature crawfish boil on Saturday. Crawfish lovers, take note— Saturday’s signature crawfish boil is always a hot ticket, and servings are limited. Snag crawfish tickets in advance when purchasing festival admission to not miss out. 

Westside Motor Lounge, known for its expansive indoor-outdoor space, will again serve as the home for the weekend’s festivities. Spanning nearly three acres, the venue features a full-service restaurant, two bars, a private event space, Echo Room — a curated Jazz Kissa listening bar — and a vibrant outdoor courtyard with shuffleboard courts, fire pits, ample seating, a vintage Airstream bar, and a performance stage that will showcase all of the weekend’s live music.

Moe’s Original BBQ and Cloud 9 Adventures Announce Trip Giveaway to Jam Cruise 20

Moe’s Original BBQ and Cloud 9 Adventures present a contest to win a trip for two to Jam Cruise 20. Featuring over 30 bands on 8 stages, this five day musical adventure of a lifetime travels aboard the luxurious MSC Divina cruise ship to and from Miami through the Caribbean, with port stops in Montego Bay, Jamaica and Grand Cayman on February 25-March 1, 2024. One lucky winner and a guest will receive a $1500 flight voucher, double occupancy balcony cabin, and one night hotel stay. Participants can enter now through midnight ET on November 20th. The winner will be announced on or by Tuesday November 28th. To enter, visit www.jamcruise.com/moes. While the winner must be 21 years old or older, there is no purchase necessary and one entry available per person is allowed.

“In addition to the contest, we are also excited to have Moe’s Original BBQ Que’s founding partner Mike Fernandez as a featured late night chef,” said Cloud 9’s Nate Sadler. “Moe’s Original BBQ will also sponsor a sauce contest where Mike will be a judge along with the contest winner and members of the band moe.”

Cloud 9 Adventures presents Jam Cruise that offers a mix of rock, funk, blues, bluegrass, and electronic. Guests will enjoy performances by moe., Medeski Martin & Porter ft. Aba Diop, Cory Wong, Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew Remain In Light, Galactic ft. Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Lettuce, Lotus, Steel Pulse, Franc Moody, Dumpstaphunk, The New Mastersounds, Keller Williams, Ivan Neville & Friends, TAUK Moore ft. The Horn Section, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Perpetual Groove, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Eggy, Cool Cool Cool, J & The Causeways, Magic Beans, and more. Special guests set to fill out the lineup include Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), Duane Betts, Kanika Moore (Doom Flamingo), Cris Jacobs, Adryon de León, Lyle Divinsky, Elise Testone and more. Attendees will be up close and personal with the artists, enjoying shows at multiple venues on board, with intricate workshops, discussions, jam sessions, hands-on workshops and other fun activities. For more information about Jam Cruise, visit www.jamcruise.com.

Featured in the book An Irresistible History of Alabama Barbecue, Moe’s Original BBQ has also been named in the Top 10 BBQ Chains in America by USA Today and The Daily Meal, one of the fastest growing, emerging restaurant chains by Restaurant Business Magazine, and one of the Top 10 Rib Joints in the U.S. by Relish. Whether guests are gathering for a meal or enjoying whiskey and smoked meats at a Saturday afternoon tailgate, Moe’s Original BBQ strives to offer legendary experiences. In addition to dine in and take out, large party take out and catering are also available for any size party or event.  For additional information about Moe’s Original BBQ, visit www.moesoriginalbbq.com.

For additional information, interviews, photos or a press kit, please contact Lorrie Dixson of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com.