The family-friendly day of free blues music performed by ten regional bands and musicians will take place rain or shine, and will again feature many local food and specialty vendors. The festival founder, Jim DiGuiseppe, indicated that this year there will be all new bands, a common festival trait. The lineup includes a variety of Blues genres and two bands from Nashville Tennessee. The Bart Walker Band features Bart Walker on lead guitar, recent winner of the best guitarist award at the International Blues Festival in Memphis.
This year will feature many special events including a Blues Idol competition, with the audience determining the winner. The will also be a “corn-hole” tournament for interested competitors, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the festival.
Festival proceeds will benefit the Give the Gift of Music Foundation, the nonprofit organization that assists underprivileged children in the Phoenixville area with access to music lessons, instruments, and after school music programs. In addition, the Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) will be collecting canned goods. Though not required, attendees are encouraged to provide canned goods as their “admission” to this free event.
Bands/musicians scheduled to perform at the Third Annual Phoenixville Blues Festival are Riley Road, Blue Bizness, Scale Hound, Deb Callahan, Lonnie Shields, Don Evans Band, Bart Walker Band, Russ Lambert and his Shake Dancer Band and Live at the Fillmore - an Allman Brothers Tribute Band. This year will also feature a “second stage” providing attendees non-stop music and entertainment throughout the day. Performing on the second stage between acts are Phil Minissale and Shane Speal – King of the Cigar Box Blues.
The Steel City Blues Society is a nonprofit organization established to cultivate and preserve the tradition of blues music through community events such as the Phoenixville Blues Festival. “Our mission has expanded to include helping the youth in our community discover the wonder and joy of music by raising awareness and funds for the Give the Gift of Music Foundation,” said Blues Society Founder and President Jim DiGuiseppe.
Reeves Park is located in the Chester County’s Borough of Phoenixville, named one of the “Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia.” The park, which is surrounded by Main Street, Starr Street, 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, features a clamshell amphitheater with bench and open seating, a playground area for children, and plenty of open space. Alcohol is prohibited in the park. Street parking and other parking is available.
For more information, the festival website is http://pvilleblues.org and Give the Gift of Music Foundation is http://givethegiftofmusic.org.
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