(SAINT LOUIS, MO) Organizers today announced details of the Bluesweek Festival, the region’s premiere Blues celebration. Celebrating the rich Blues history of St. Louis with a weekend packed full of music, food and good times, Bluesweek will rock Soldiers Memorial downtown throughout Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. This year’s event features the first ever BBQ Battle Royale, in which 30 teams will compete to win cash, prizes and of course, big-time bragging rights.
Headlining on Saturday, May 25, is Blues legend Mavis Staples, fresh from her soulful performance at this year’s Grammy Awards. Staples is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient. VH1 named her one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone listed her as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Her most recent album, “You Are Not Alone” won the 2011 Grammy for Best Americana Album.
“Having Mavis Staples in St. Louis for Bluesweek is a real honor and a testament to our city’s place in the world of the Blues,” said Kociela. “She will bring the house down!”
Other headliners of note include the international superstars Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters’ son) and St. Louis’ own Big George Brock.
“The All-New BBQ Battle Royale will bring some smoking competition to this year’s event,” said organizer Mike Kociela. Two veterans of Guy Fieri’s hit show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Bill Kunz (Highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen) and Tom Coghill (Iron Barley), are on board as the Co-Directors for what is now the largest BBQ event in the city of St. Louis.
The Bluesweek Festival supports the National Blues Museum, now in the planning stages for development within the new MX District downtown St. Louis. “We’re excited to be part of big ideas for downtown development. This effort is all about the Blues and all about St. Louis—the two just go hand-in-hand,” Kociela said.
Also new this year, The Workshop tent will feature an assortment of educational activities and performances on Saturday and Sunday from 1-9 pm. Events will include Harmonica & Guitar workshops, Blues History, Swing Dance Lessons, Industry Workshops and Performances.
Kociela noted that there are no tickets to purchase, no cost of entry and all food and beverage transactions will be either cash or credit/debit.
“By keeping this event free to attend, we want to welcome everyone to be a part of the historic significance that the Blues have had in the development of modern American music,” Kociela concluded.
ABOUT BLUESWEEK
More details about Bluesweek can be found at Bluesweek.com.
Bluesweek 2013 will take place Memorial Day weekend—May 24, 25 and 26, outdoors in beautiful downtown St. Louis at Soldiers Memorial, 12th and Market Streets. Attendance is free and all ages are welcome!
Bluesweek is bringing BBQ back to Memorial Day weekend in a big way. This year, 30 teams will go head-to-head in the all-new BBQ Battle Royale, competing to win cash, prizes and of course, big-time bragging rights.
BLUESWEEK STAGE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY – MAY 24
5:30-7:00pm KIM MASSIE
7:30-9:00pm SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
VICTOR WAINWRIGHT, J.P. SOARS & DAMON FOWLER
9:30-11:00pm TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
SATURDAY – MAY 25
12:00-1:00pm TRIUMVIRATE OF JAZZ GUITAR
TOM BYRNE, DAVE BLACK & ERIC SLAUGHTER
1:15-2:30pm ST. LOUIS BLUES & SOUL REVUE
2:45-4:00pm JEREMIAH JOHNSON BAND w/THE SLIDERS
4:30-5:45pm LIL’ ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS
6:15-7:30pm MARQUISE KNOX BAND
8:00-9:15pm ROD PIAZZA
9:45-11:00pm MAVIS STAPLES
SUNDAY – MAY 26
12:00-1:00pm LEROY PIERSON
1:15-2:15pm BIG MIKE AGUIRRE & BLUE CITY ALL STARS
2:30-3:45pm RICH MCDONOUGH & ROUGH GROOVES
4:00-4:45pm SILVERCLOUD
5:00-6:10pm TRIBUTE TO FONTELLA BASS
featuring MARSHA EVANS & THE COALITION
6:30-7:40pm SCOTTIE MILLER BAND
8:00-9:00pm MUD MORGANFIELD
9:30-11:00pm BIG GEORGE BROCK
