Painting the
TOWN BLUE
The 18 th annual Western Maryland Blues Fest Rocks into Hagerstown.
It’ s that time of year again, when wailing guitars and beats that make your hips sway echo throughout downtown Hagerstown. Blues Fest weekend is a citywide party that’ s fun for the whole family! Warm up your dancing shoes Thursday evening with the free Blues Prelude concert in University Plaza. The groove deepens Friday night during the Lotta Blues Kickoff in the city’ s Central Lot, and Saturday hits full swing for the Downtown House Party. Mellow out Sunday in Hagerstown City Park during the Family Blues Picnic, with free concerts at the band shell as well as a workshop and performances at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.
So get ready to celebrate America’ s unique musical heritage with another amazing roster of regional, national and world-renowned blues artists:
The authentic harmonica stylings of Roger Edsal fan the Blues Fest flames during Bad Influence Band’ s Thursday evening performance. Regional roots-blues quartet Hard Swimmin’ Fish opens Friday’ s Lotta Blues Kickoff with their retro sound, followed by the energetic sounds of Hagerstown-based Rudy & the Bluefish. Moreland & Arebuckle’ s powerful drumming builds the foundation for classic Chicago-style amplified blues harmonica and hard-driving guitar. And, having taken Hagerstown by storm at Blues Fest last year, Trampled Underfoot returns for an encore performance of original blues overlaid with the sweetly husky vocals of lead singer and bassist Danielle Schnebelin.
The Rhythm Kings get the Downtown House Party in order by rocking out the first set of day-long, double-stage tunes, followed by Shepherdstown, W. Va., singer / songwriter / guitarist Paul Pfau. Veteran performer Clarence“ The Blues Man” Turner leads his six-piece ensemble to jumpstart the afternoon, followed by the blues-rock-funk-soul-world music amalgamation of Australian Peter Harper and his band, Midwest Kind. You won’ t want to miss old-soul guitarist and singer Eric Steckel, dubbed“ the next big things in the Blues.” Don’ t forget to peruse the“ Blues Boutique” for refreshments, souvenirs and commemorative wear. And, children are sure to run for the excitement under the cover of the Kids Jam Too! tent.
As the evening cools down, Blues Fest heats up with the swamp-infused Americana sounds of the Honey Island Swamp Band with Jimmy Carpenter. And,“ the world’ s best slide guitarist” Sonny Landreth makes a rare local appearance. Last but farthest from least, the great Maceo Parker brings down the house Saturday night performing a show filled with blues, funk, the music of“ Brother Ray” Charles, and much more.
On Sunday, Blues Fest gives back to the community with its free afternoon of music in City Park. Welcome traditional acoustic blues singer and guitarist Scott Ainslie back to Blues Fest during his solo performance, after which the harmonica and scorchingly sweet guitar riffs of Fast Eddie Galvin and the Fast Lane Blues Band take center stage. Skyla Burrell’ s Chicago-style blues make a delightful prelude to Blues Fest’ s closing act, The Nighthawks— one of the first to embrace true American roots music. With free blues workshops at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, great food and more, you won’ t want to miss one note of this free family event! §
18 th annual Western Maryland Blues Fest
Downtown Hagerstown & Hagerstown City Park May 30 – June 2 301-739-8577, ext. 116 • www. blues-fest. org Friday: Tickets cost $ 20 / advance, $ 25 / gate; $ 7, children ages 6 – 12; kids 5 and younger are admitted free. Gates open at 4 p. m., IDs required. Saturday: Tickets cost $ 35 / advance, $ 40 / gate; $ 7, children ages 6 – 12; kids 5 and younger are admitted free. Gates open at 11 a. m., IDs required. Special combination ticket for Friday & Saturday: $ 50 Sunday: Free Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Shake a Leg, Hagerstown!
Thursday, May 30
University of Maryland Park Plaza
free, bring lawn chairs or blankets
Bad Influence Band 5 – 7 p. m. photo: Jason Turner
Washington County Arts Council, 14 W. Washington St.
Blues Fest Poster Art Exhibit Opening 6 – 9 p. m.
Friday, May 31
Hagerstown’ s Central Parking Lot
BLUE MOON STAGE( EAST WAREHOUSE STAGE)
Hard Swimmin’ Fish 4:30 – 5:15 p. m. Rudy & the Bluefish 5:30 – 6:30 p. m. Moreland & Arbuckle 6:45 – 8 p. m. Trampled Under Foot 8:15 – 9:45 p. m.
Saturday, June 1
Hagerstown’ s Central Parking Lot
BLUES FEST STAGE( WEST ALLEY STAGE)
The Rhythm Kings Noon – 1 p. m. Clarence“ The Blues Man” Turner 2 – 3 p. m. Eric Steckel 4 – 5:15 p. m. Sonny Landreth 6:30 p. m.– 8 p. m.
BLUE MOON STAGE( EAST WAREHOUSE STAGE)
Paul Pfau 1 – 2 p. m. Harper and Midwest Kind 3 – 4 p. m. Honey Island Swamp Band with Jimmy
Carpenter 5:15 – 6:30 p. m.
Maceo Parker 8 – 9:30 p. m.
Sunday, June 2
Hagerstown City Park’ s Peter Buys Band Shell
free, bring lawn chairs or blankets
Scott Ainslie Noon – 12:45 p. m. Fast Eddie Galvin and the Fast Lane
Blues Band 1 – 1:45 p. m. Skyla Burrell 2 – 3:15 p. m. The Nighthawks 3:30 – 5 p. m.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
Washington County Public Schools All Jazz Ensemble Noon – 12:45 p. m. Workshop by Scott Ainslie 1 – 1:45 p. m. Washington County Public Schools
All Jazz Ensemble 3 – 3:45 p. m.
Visit www. blues-fest. org for more information. * Schedule and artists are subject to change.
Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond May / June 2013 59