Bradenton Blues Weekend: Make a Weekend of the Blues!
December 4-6, 2015
Tickets Going Fast for Bradenton Blues Festival!
Downtown Bradenton will be abuzz with the blues in anticipation of the fourth annual Bradenton Blues Festival. Weekend activities include a free concert with RJ Howson and the Betty Fox Band and a gospel blues brunch with Shantel Norman.
(Bradenton, Florida) To celebrate the fourth annual Bradenton Blues Festival happening on Saturday, December 5, downtown Bradenton will buzz with blues concerts and festivities the entire weekend, December 4-6. “We wanted to spread the terrific excitement that’s built up around the festival,” says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organization powering the Bradenton Blues Festival and the Bradenton Blues Weekend, along with multiple community partners and sponsors.
“The Bradenton area has long been a hotbed of blues musicians and blues bars, and we want to amplify that great music buzz,” says Isham. “Once again this year, blues fans can spend the entire weekend experiencing exceptional blues music.” Isham adds that there will be ample free parking for the entire weekend, with free pedi-cabs available to bring celebrants to and from the Riverwalk pavilion on the day of the festival.
According to Isham, tickets for this year’s Bradenton Blues Festival are quickly selling out. She urges blues fans to buy their tickets online in advance of the festival.
“Tickets are moving fast but you can still buy them on our website for $30,” she says, adding that tickets at the gate are $40. Reserved front-of-stage seating is also available this year for $75, and includes a chair. 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
The Blues Appetizer Concert with RJ Howson and the Betty Fox Band
Friday, December 4, 6-9 p.m. § Riverwalk Pavilion, 452 3rd Avenue, Bradenton
This free mini-concert showcases RJ Howson and the Betty Fox Band on the big stage of the 2015 Bradenton Blues Festival. Bring a blanket or a chair. Beverage and food will be available for purchase. Last chance to buy Blues Festival tickets at the discounted price of $30. Sponsor is Mojoe Productions.
Déjà Blues in The Blues Lounge featuring Larry Garner
Friday, December 4, 7-11 p.m. § The Brickyard, 427 12th Street West, Bradenton
The Long Island Blues Society called Larry Garner “an undiscovered treasure lurking in the bayous,” and Real Blues has labeled him “perhaps the most talented blues songwriter alive today.” Experience his blues smoothness in person—before the Bradenton Blues Festival. Tickets, which are $150 per person, include premium open bar, food and entertainment. $100 of the ticket price is tax-deductible and all 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.
Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Second Annual Bradenton Blues Festival § Bradenton’s Riverwalk
Annual festival featuring a stellar team of top blues artists performing overlooking the scenic Manatee River. Line-up includes Girls with Guitars, Super Chikan and the Fighting Cocks, Larry Garner, Mike Zito and the Wheel, Joanna Connor, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, In Layman Terms and headliner Janiva Magness. Bring a blanket. Beverage and food will be available for purchase. Presenting sponsor is BMO Harris Bank heading a lineup of 69 other sponsors.
Tarpon Pointe Blues with the Sean Chambers Band
Saturday, December 5, 7 p.m.-midnight § Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar, 801 Riverside Drive East, Bradenton
Experience the rocking blues sounds of Sean Chambers and his band for a post-festival jam.
Gospel Blues Brunch at SOMA Creekside, 1401 Manatee Avenue West
Sunday, December 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. § Old Main Street, Bradenton
Enjoy brunch and a gospel blues concert with Shantel Norman and Truality. The performance is noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $25. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. To reserve, call 941-567-4001.
The 2015 Bradenton Blues Festival returns to downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, December 5, 2015, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with an all-star lineup that includes Janiva Magness; harmonicist and songwriter Rick Estrin with his band, The Nightcats, thrilling audiences and critics alike with their fresh, original blues injected with a solid dose of gritty roadhouse rock and roll; guitarist and vocalist Joanna Connor, who is being called the most exciting new talent on the blues scene; multi-Blues Music Award-winner Mike Zito and his acclaimed band, The Wheel; Bluesman of the Year, guitarist-songwriter Larry Garner; the celebrated Mississippi vocalist and guitarist, James “Super Chikan” Johnson; “Girls With Guitars,” three electrifying musicians who are quickly conquering the blues world; and the teen brother-and-sister duo, Cole and Logan Layman, collectively known as In Layman Terms.
Gates open at 10 a.m. The music starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 at the gate, cash only; $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. A limited number of reserved front-of-stage seats are available for $75 per person. Tickets are available online and at Keeton’s Office & Art Supply, 817 Manatee Ave. West, in Bradenton. For more information and to buy tickets online, visit www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.
2015 Bradenton Blues Festival Sponsors
Presenting
BMO Harris Bank
Hosting
BACVB
Blues Music Magazine
Bradenton Downtown Development Authority
City of Bradenton
Realize Bradenton
Blues Legend
Urology Partners
Blues King
Artefact Design
Bradenton Herald
Bright House Networks
Bryan Gordon Designs
Callaghan Tire
Don Brandes Illustrator
Manatee Printers Inc.
NDC Construction
Pier 22
Sarasota Magazine – BIZ 941 – SEE Magazine
Tidy Coast Event Services
Cool Cats
Firkins Nissan
Florida Blue
Kallins, Little & Delgado
Manatee Apparel Graphics
OSA Global Security
New Orleans
Aces Live
Andersen Racepark
Anna Maria Oyster Bar – Halfway Bar
Bealls
Blue Rooster
Darwin Brewing Company
Fawley-Bryant Architecture
Go Tonight
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing
Goodwill Manasota
Hampton Inn & Suites
Jeffcoat Blueprinting
Mark T. Elfervig, DDS, MAGD
Michael & Christy Messer
Mojoe Productions
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar
Tropicana – Pepsico
Turner Tree & Landscape
US Tent Rental
Zamikoff, Klement, Jungman & Varga, DDS, PA
Chicago Blues
Blalock Walters
Bordignon Guitars
Courtyard Marriot
Deborah & Emile Gauvreau
Fetch Pet Care
FPL
Hernando DeSoto Historical Society
Hillstrom Facial Plastic Surgery
Iaboni Real Estate
It Works!
Keller Williams – Stan D. Perkins & Dawn Neaverth
Manson Roofing Inc
Manatee Community Federal Credit Union
METV
Suncoast Blues Society
USA Fence
About Realize Bradenton
Realize Bradenton is a non-profit organization that brings people together to create a vibrant and prosperous Bradenton area. For more information, visit: www.RealizeBradenton.com.
