Battle of the blues
By Casey Gillis on Jul. 12, 2007
It’s all about women at the Sedalia Center’s BluesFest 2007.
“We try to really reach out to a lot of groups, and it seems to be that more and more women are getting into different aspects of music,” say Randee Beckman, who is organizing the event. “It’s just really neat that it kind of came together.”
BluesFest, scheduled for Saturday at the Sedalia Center in Big Island, is a competition, an educational experience and an all-out blues jam rolled into one.
Gates open at noon and the music kicks off at 1 p.m. with the Ninth Annual Blues Competition, featuring six bands battling it out to move on to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn.
Beckman says after four of the bands play, everyone will take a break for a workshop put on by blues musicians Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, who will both perform later on in the evening, after the competition.
“What usually goes on at workshops is a little bit about getting started (playing the blues),” Beckman says. “It’s a very informative, very interesting block of time. All the workshops are (always) really cool.”
After the workshop, the final two bands will play and a winner will be announced.
Then it’s time for the headliners to hit the stage, starting with Tracy Nelson, “an icon all by herself,” Beckman says of the multiple-Grammy nominee. “She’s got an incredible voice.”
Another blues legend, Reba Russell, comes next, making her third appearance at Sedalia’s BluesFest.
“It’s a really big deal (for her to play here),” Beckman says. “She’s got a huge following. She just has an incredible voice, a wonderful range.”
Tickets for this event are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate (see box for box office locations).
If You’re Going
WHAT: BluesFest 2007
WHEN: Noon Saturday
WHERE: The Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road in Big Island
TICKETS: $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. No coolers or pets. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Tom Jones Drug and Lynchburg Music Center in Lynchburg; the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce in Moneta; The Well and the Bedford Welcome Center in Bedford; and Fret Mill Music Co. in Roanoke.
INFO: (434) 299-5080 or http://www.sedaliacenter.org
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