Excitement Builds for 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival

The following is a press release from 'Realize Bradenton':

To celebrate the second annual Bradenton Blues Festival happening on Saturday, December 7, 2013, downtown Bradenton will buzz with blues concerts and outdoor festivities, December 6-8, 2013. 

"We wanted to extend the terrific excitement already built up around the festival," says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organization powering the Bradenton Blues Festival and Bradenton Blues Weekend, along with multiple community partners and sponsors.

"The Bradenton area is a hotbed of celebrated blues musicians and blues bars, and we want to amplify the blues buzz! This year, blues fans can spend the entire weekend grooving on the blues." Isham says that a free trolley will bring celebrants to downtown performance spots, Friday, 5-10 p.m., and to the festival, Saturday, 9 a.m. to midnight. Pedi-cabs will also be available, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to midnight.

According to Isham, tickets for the Bradenton Blues Festival are quickly selling out. She urges blues fans to buy their tickets online in advance of the festival. 

"You can still buy tickets at our website for $30," she says, adding that tickets at the gate are $40. Group sales for 10 or more are $25 in advance. 

For more information about Bradenton Blues Weekend or the Bradenton Blues Festival, and to purchase festival tickets, visit www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.

Blues Weekend Highlights

Blues on Main

Friday, December 6, 5-10 p.m. § Old Main Street, Bradenton

Three blues duos perform on pedestrian-friendly Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton with food and craft vendors.

Déjà Blues in The Blues Lounge with Johnny Rawls

Friday, December 6, 7 p.m.-midnight § The Brickyard, 427 12th Street West, Bradenton

Celebrated blues guitarist Johnny Rawls has "a knack with a fret board and a rapid-fire staccato blues lead." (World's Greatest Critic). Experience his blues smoothness in person—before the Bradenton Blues Festival the next day. Tickets, which are $125, include premium open bar, food and entertainment. $75 of ticket proceeds benefit the Women’s Resource Center of Manatee. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 941-747-6797 or visit www.wrcmanatee.org.

The Blues Appetizer Concert with Selwyn Birchwood and Steve Arvey

Friday, December 6, 6-9 p.m. § Riverwalk Pavilion, 452 3rd Avenue, Bradenton

This free concert showcases Selwyn Birchwood and Steve Arvey on the big stage of the 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival. Bring a blanket. Beverage and food will be available. Sponsor is Mojoe Productions.

Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Second Annual Bradenton Blues Festival § Bradenton's Riverwalk

Annual festival featuring a stellar team of top blues artists on the downtown Riverwalk. Line-up includes Shemekia Copeland, Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang, Trampled Under Foot, Anthony Gomes, John Nemeth, Johnny Rawls, Albert Castiglia, Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling. Bring a blanket. Beverage and food will be available. Presenting is sponsor BMO Harris Bank leading 69 other sponsors.

Blues on Main with Sarasota Slim

Saturday, December 7, 5-11 p.m. § Old Main Street, Bradenton

Enjoy food, beverages and handmade crafts offered by local vendors.

Tarpon Pointe Blues with Chris Duarte

Saturday, December 7, 7 p.m.-midnight § Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar, 801 Riverside Drive East, Bradenton

Experience blues legend Chris Duarte up close and personal for an after-festival jam.

Gospel Blues Brunch

Sunday, December 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. §  Old Main Street, Bradenton

Grab brunch from a downtown restaurant or gourmet food truck and enjoy a free gospel blues concert with the West Coast Black Theater Troupe. The performance is noon to 1 p.m. Sponsored by Michael Saunders of Manatee County.

The Bradenton Blues Festival returns to downtown Bradenton's Riverwalk, December 7, 2013. The 2013 lineup includes the acclaimed young vocalist Shemekia Copeland; the celebrated Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang; musical siblings Danielle, Kris and Nick Schnebelen of the critically acclaimed Trampled Under Foot; guitarist, singer, and songwriter Anthony Gomes; rising blues star John Nemeth; Mississippi soul-blues man Johnny Rawls; Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling band; and soulful, rising blues star, Albert Castiglia.

Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 at the gate; $25 per person for groups of 10 or more; $20 for students; and $10 for children, ages 5-12. Children four and under will be admitted free. Festival merchandise, including 2013 festival posters, t-shirts, baseball caps and a handful of last year's iconic limited-edition poster, are on sale at Keeton's Office and Art Supply, 817 Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton, and online at a site hosted by Manatee Apparel Graphics at www.manateeapparel.com/realizebradenton/home. 

Shirts and hats are $20 each, or $35 for both. 2012 posters are $50. The 2013 festival posters, in a limited-edition of 200 and signed by the artist, are on sale now. Proceeds from the festival support Realize Bradenton’s downtown music and art programs.