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Those Summertime Blues....Fests! by Monica Yasher
The 15th annual Pittsburgh Blues Festival is just around the corner. The event this year takes place over 3 days from July 24 to July 26 and is held at Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. The Pittsburgh blues festival is not just a Mecca for blues fans to convene; it is an event with a purpose, as all proceeds benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank with this event raising more than 1 million dollars in it's 15 year history.Tickets purchased in advance are $22.00 and offers a raffle to be backstage that will go off daily between 8 and 8:30 every night. The winner of the raffle may take one person back stage with them. You can obtain tickets online through here. A gate purchased ticket requires $25.00 of your hard earned cash.
Last year the free food Friday raised 13.5 tons of food. They will offer free food Friday again this year! For every person that brings a bag of food, admission is free into the blues festival. Please bring a generous bag. It is for a worthwhile cause! Remember, this offer is for Friday only! The festival accepts food all weekend long!
If you can't attend the festival and would like to help the food bank, think about purchasing this great cookbook. Recipes are penned by the wives of our own Stanley Cup Champs, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Gates open at 4 pm on Friday. Acts that will perform on Friday are:
Eric Lindell
Cyril Neville and Tribe 13
Saturday has gates opening at 1 pm and going to dusk. The lineup is:
Shannon Curfman
Shawn KellermanCurtis Salgado
Los Lobos
On Sunday they change it up a bit with an opening time of 1:30 pm.
Blues guests are:
Deb Callahan
JJ Grey and Mofro
Robert Cray Band
Typically between the main stage acts, everyone can turn their lawn chairs around and view the back stage where Pittsburgh Blues bands perform. This year’s lineup for the ‘burg consists of: Glenn Pavone and the Cyclones, Jill West and Blues Attack, Felix & the Hurricanes, Ron Yarosz & the Vehicle, Eugene Morgan , and Jimmy Adler .
Special things to note:
Festival goes on rain or shine
If it rains-you are out in the rain! There isn’t any cover.
No outside alcohol permitted
If you wish to purchase alcohol, please bring your photo id.
Personal coolers require a $5.00 admission fee
Parking is free and it isn’t really far to walk to the stage.
Please bring your blankets and lawn chairs
Food donations are welcome at any time
The park is handicapped accessible, which includes bathrooms
Volunteers are still needed
before and after your shift you can enjoy the show
free food voucher provided for your hard work
Merchandise voucher provided as a way to say thanks for helping!
A Kid Zone is available during the festival, and kids under age 12 enter for free on any day. My friend, Jimmy Adler (on the right), along with June Esser, have created special blues in the tents workshops which are designed with the intention of educating children of all ages (yes-that includes you too!) about the history and importance of Blues music as America’s living legacy to the world. Their schedule of events are as follows:
FRIDAY, July 24, 2009
Jimmy Adler presents “Blues History: From the Delta to Chicago” 5-5:40PM
Bubs McKeg presents “Story Telling in the Blues” 6-6:40PM
Eugene Morgan presents “South Georgia’s Back Porch Blues” 7-7:40PM
SATURDAY, July 25, 2009
Jimmy Adler presents “Blues History: From the Delta to Chicago” 3-3:40PM
Eugene Morgan presents “South Georgia’s Back Porch Blues” 4-4:40PM
Bubs McKeg presents “Story Telling in the Blues” 5-5:40PM
Bill Weiner presents “Folk Blues for Children of all Ages” 6-6:40PM
SUNDAY, July 26, 2009
Jimmy Adler presents “Blues History: From the Delta to Chicago” 2:50-3:30PM
Eugene Morgan presents “South Georgia’s Back Porch Blues” 3:50-4:30PM
Larry Nath presents “ Turn Around and Testify” 4:50-5:30PM
Bob and Andy Gabig present “The Influence of Blues in Appalachian Music” 5:50-6:30PM
Bubs McKeg presents “Story Telling in the Blues” 6:50-7:30PM
For more information contact the blues hotline at 412-460-Blue.
You may enjoy reading the Robert Cray Interview here.
Picture of Jimmy Adler used by permission
http://www.myspace.com/songsbymonicayasher
