Waukesha BluesFest Set to Go – A Blues-Based Smorgasbord of Regional and National Talent and Local Artisans
The line-up for Waukesha BluesFest, August 8th & 9th at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield, Wisconsin features 14 national, regional and local blues acts, an art show and exceptional food from local restaurants.
Waukesha, WI – August 1, 2014 – The entertainment line-up for Waukesha BluesFest, August 8th & 9th at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield, Wisconsin features 14 national, regional and local blues acts, an art show and exceptional food from local restaurants.
“Once again this year we are excited to present one of the most unique festival line-ups in Southeastern Wisconsin,” said Bob Mittnacht, who manages the entertainment for Waukesha BluesFest. “We have a great range of music to showcase, with the classic blues rock sounds of Canned Heat, who were a feature act at the original Woodstock in the late 60’s, and Curtis Salgado, a soulful singer and award winning stage performer. Canned Heat and Curtis Salgado are headlining Waukesha BluesFest on Friday and Saturday respectively”. Full bios on the headliners are available at www.waukeshabluesfest.com.
Canned Heat emerged in 1966 and rose to fame with three worldwide hits, “On the Road Again” in 1968, “Going Up The Country” in 1969 and “Let’s Work Together” in 1970. They secured their niche in the pages of rock ‘n roll history with their performances at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival (along with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Who) and the headlining slot at the original Woodstock Festival in 1969. The band can boast of collaborations with John Mayall and Little Richard and later with blues icon, John Lee Hooker, the musician that they initially got much of their musical inspiration from in the first place. This union produced the spirited and revered album, “Hooker ‘n Heat.” Despite a number of untimely band member deaths and weathering assorted musical trends, Canned Heat has survived. Now, more than forty-five years later and with thirty-eight albums to their credit, Canned Heat is still going strong. They have been anchored throughout by the steady hand of original drummer/band leader Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra.
Curtis Salgado is an award-winning vocalist, songwriter and harmonica icon who has been perfecting his craft since he first began playing professionally in the late 1960s. He fronted his own group, The Nighthawks, inspired John Belushi to create The Blues Brothers, was co-star of The Robert Cray Band and sang and toured with Roomful of Blues. He has released eight solo albums since 1991. Curtis tours heavily, leaving fans excited and hungry for more everywhere he plays and proving his reputation as a fire-breathing live performer night after night. He has performed at festivals all over the world, including The San Francisco Blues Festival, The Chicago Blues Festival, Memphis’ Beale Street Music Festival, Toronto’s Waterfront Blues Festival, Thailand’s Phuket International Blues Festival and Poland’s Blues Alive Festival. Winner of the 2010 Blues Music Award for Soul Blues Artist of The Year, Salgado effortlessly mixes blues, funk and R&B with a delivery that is raw and heartfelt. Blues Revue magazine says, “Salgado is one of the most down-to-earth, soulful, honest singers ever, and his harmonica work is smoking and thoroughly invigorating…rollicking, funky and electrifying.” In 2013 Curtis Salgado continued receiving very well-deserved accolades as he won three Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year and Soul Blues Album of the Year.
The entertainment line-up for Friday and Saturday night does not stop with these highly acclaimed musicians. On Friday, Selwyn Birchwood will perform at 7:30 pm. Selwyn Birchwood started his career in Florida and went on to win top honors at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis last year which propelled him solidly into the national spotlight. He is a guitar and lap-steel-playing bundle of pure energy and delivers his original songs with a revival tent preacher’s fervor! Friday’s line-up also includes performances by Extra Crispy Brass Band at 6 pm with their take on the traditional New Orleans brass bands, South End Blues Band, Misha Siegfried and His Band, Wapatui and Matt Tyner.
On Saturday, additional performances include at 7:30 pm Trampled Under Foot, who started as a trio and have since grown to four members. They headed to Memphis in 2008 for the International Blues Challenge and walked away with First Place honors. After a series of headlining tours and stand out performances at blues festivals across the globe, they have earned the reputation as one of the hottest bands on the blues circuit. Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, take the stage at 6 pm. Jim has been playing guitar professionally since he started in the 1980’s. Along with his solo career, Jim Suhler has been the lead/rhythm Guitarist for George Thorogood & The Destroyers on all the band’s releases and tours since 1999. Also on Saturday’s bill are Tweed Funk, The Blues Disciples, Gerome Durham “Mississippi Blues Boy” and Steve Cohen with former A.B. Skhy guitarist Denny Geyer.
Waukesha BluesFest, “An American Music and Art Festival,” is in its 8th year and is held at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield, 1/2 mile north of I-94 on STH 83. Gates will open at 12:30 pm both days, and live music acts will perform from 1 pm to 10:30 pm.
The Restaurants: There won’t be a shortage of variety for hungry blues fans with the exceptional selection of food from The Silver Spur Texas Roadhouse and BBQ, Café Esperanza and Koepsell’s Popcorn. A full selection of beverages for all tastes will be available.
Along with great music, food and beverages, Waukesha BluesFest also includes an Art Show featuring 10 talented and local artists representing a broad variety of affordable art. The Artists: Audey Casey – oil painting, Laura Fesser – polymer clay, Lynn Gaffey – fused glass jewelry and wearable art, Michelle Kobriger – enamel jewelry, Mark Harder – upcycled clocks, Don Maupin – turned wood, Don Priewe – metal sculpture, Dewey Sherman – pottery, Ann Windell – painted glass, and Shay Johnson – leather.
Major sponsors include the Waukesha law firm of Cramer, Multhauf & Hammes, LLP, Waukesha State Bank, ProHealth Care, and Clear Channel Outdoor.
Admission prices will remain the same once again this year. In advance, a single-day pass will cost $15 and a two-day pass will cost $25 through August 7th. At the gate admission will be $20 for a single-day pass and $35 for a two-day pass. Parking and taxes are included with the admission price. Tickets are on sale on-line at the festival website www.waukeshabluesfest.com. Tickets are also available in person at Almont Gallery in downtown Waukesha, all Waukesha State Bank locations and all White House of Music locations through August 7th. Proceeds from the event will be distributed by the Waukesha Rotary Club Charitable Fund to local charities and civic projects.
For additional information on the event visit www.waukeshabluesfest.com, email info@waukeshabluesfest.com, or call 1-800-366-1961.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Press Release
Rare Opportunity to see Experimental Dance and Media Installation by three choreographers
Mar 13th, 2024 by Press ReleaseOne night only in new alternative dance space in Milwaukee’s Fifth Ward
