An 80s Music Getaway In Branson? Excellent!

Have you seen any of those music-themed cruises or getaways? As an 80s music fan, I've always been curious about "80s In The Sand" in Cancun and "The 80s Cruise" which will sail from Miami later this year. Yet I've never bothered to pull the trigger on either of them because of the cost. You're looking at thousands of dollars to join the party. If you're looking for this kind of experience, but want to spend less, you've got to check out what is being billed as a five-day 80s music vacation in Branson.

Retromania Live promises to be a great week of 80s music including Vince Neil from Motley Crue, Bobby Brown, Night Ranger, KC and the Sunshine Band, Cinderrella's Tom Keifer Band, Starship featuring Micky Thomas, Lou Gramm the Original Voice of Foreigner, Stephen Pearcy The Voice of Ratt, Tiffany, Quiet Riot, Jesus Jones, and Steve Augeri, the former lead vocalist of Journey (after Steve Perry.) Additionally, Pauly Shore will be doing a comedy set, and wrestling's Jimmy Heart and Andy Dick are among the scheduled celebrity appearances.

Retromania Live is happening in Branson from August 21-August 25, and passes for the entire five days are $699 per person if you want great seats, to $599 if you're fine sitting in the upper balcony. This gets you into all the shows, but here's where the coolness kicks in. It gets you more, a lot more, and will save you some money.

Tickets also include admission to Silver Dollar City Theme Park, as well as visits to these top Branson attractions: Ripleys Believe it or Not, 1984 Branson Arcade, Retromania, Celebrity Car Museum, Fritz's Adventure, Branson's Wild World, Talking Rocks Caverns, and the Butterfly Place. So if you want a break from the 80s music, you'll get a great taste of what Branson is about without spending even more money.

Retromania Live isn't just a five-day concert series either. The package includes admission to all after-parties and all parties throughout the five-day vacation. All celebrity meet and greets, and unlimited access to the party tent. If getting boozy is your thing, you can get a drinks package which may save you cash too.

Sure, you need to get to Branson, and you need to figure out your accommodations, those things are not included in the price. Yet in my mind that gives folks who wish to attend the event more control over the cost of those things.

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We learned about Retromania Live when the event's marketing partner asked us to help them with their digital advertising needs and some local radio promotion. However, I'm not writing this because of that. I'm writing about this because I think it's a cool event, that can be more affordable for many including myself, than an 80s-themed cruise or escape to Mexico.

Additionally, I like the vision Donnie Frizzel, Retromania Live's co-producer, has for both Retromania Live, and what he hopes Retromania Live will bring to the Branson area.

In short, Frizzel hopes Retromania Live will bring folks who might not otherwise experience Branson to Branson. He also hopes that Retromania Live may spur some of our favorite 80s and 90s artists to consider playing Branson, or even pull into some of Branson's live music venues for extended residencies.

I like the plan, and I like the idea of there being artists I'd like to see there. Because those are the type of events that will get me to Branson. Don't get me wrong, yes, I want to experience Dolly Parton's Stampede, I want to go see Yakov Smirnoff, ride the Branson Wheel, hang out watching old music videos over a couple of cocktails at Retro Mania, and see a couple of the hottest shows that call Branson home. Yet I'm going to be inclined to visit more often if they have shows and tours rolling through town regularly.

Just think, someday your kids might take their kids to Branson to see Mrs. Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, and her residency at the Taylor Swift Theater -- right next to Travis and Jason Kelce's Football Mania cafe and NFL experience. Ok, that's a little pie in the sky. Yet, it's not a completely ridiculous thought. It all starts with doing things a little differently, which is what Retromania Live wants to do for Branson's entertainment options.

Here are Retromania Live's scheduled events for Wednesday, August 21 - Sunday, August 25:

Wednesday, August 21 

Registration 9:00 AM-6: 00 PM CDT, discounts start at participating venues, visit one or more of the included attractions with your ticket, happy hour specials all day at The New Wave Cafe, and at 6:00 PM "Rocking the Mall VIP Party" located in the mall area of Ballparks of America. Emerging artist Eyebolt will perform, as well as a great cover band Dirty Saints. Wrapping up the party will be the woman who made the mall concert a thing, Tiffany!

Thursday, August 22 

Registration from 9:00 AM -3:00 PM CDT, visit one or more of the included attractions with your ticket, happy hour specials all day at the New Wave Cafe, at 3:00 PM the Party Tent at the Mansion Theater opens featuring Travis Bell and the largest boombox in America. Theater doors open at 4:00 PM. The theme of the day is: Dress in your best retro gear!

Concert lineup that night: Jesus Jones, Stephen Pearcy of RATT, Lou Gramm The Voice of Foreigner, and Night Ranger. Additionally, the sizzle video for Retromania Live 2025 will be shown.

Friday, August 23 

Visit one or more of the included attractions with your ticket, happy hour specials all day at the New Wave Cafe. Noon - 3:00 PM "80s Cars With 80s Stars" at the Celebrity Car Museum. An opportunity to get pictures and autographs with your favorite 80s movie, TV, and music celebrities. 3:00 PM,  the Party Tent at the Mansion Theater opens featuring Travis Bell and the largest boombox in America. Theater doors open at 4:00 PM. The theme of the day is: Express your inner rock star!

Concert lineup that night: Steve Augeri former singer of Journey, Quiet Riot, Cinderella's Tom Keifer, and Vince Neil the voice of Motley Crue.

Saturday, August 24

Visit one or more of the included attractions with your ticket, happy hour specials all day at the New Wave Cafe. 3:00 PM,  the Party Tent at the Mansion Theater opens featuring Travis Bell and the largest boombox in America. The theme of the day: Pop Icon Night.

Concert lineup that night: Pauly Shore, Starship with Mickey Thomas, Bobby Brown, KC and The Sunshine Band. Followed by a big after-party in the Party Tent that will run until 1:00 AM.

Sunday, August 25 

Visit one or more of the included attractions with your ticket, happy hour specials all day at the New Wave Cafe. Everyone is invited to spend the day at one of the best theme parks in the country, Silver Dollar City.

Each day Retromania attendees will also be able to participate in excursions. Details for the excursions will be posted at a later time.

Full five-day Retromania Live packages are now on sale, and single-day tickets will be available starting Friday, May 3, 2024. Packages and single-day ticket information are available here.

Times, dates, and artists are subject to change without notice.