The Captiol Centre is getting ready for its 7th Bluesfest this summer. Officials say the event will include the most involvement of local artists in the festival’s history with free outdoor concerts, buskers, artists, and off-site events.
Glass Tiger takes to the stage on Aug. 30 to kick off the event.
There’s the popular Blues Cruise the next night and a live painting competition in the WKP Kennedy Gallery.
Six acts are lined up for the free outdoor concerts on Friday, Sept. 1, starting at 4 pm, with a paint night in the gallery, for a cost.
There are more free outdoor concerts the following day, from noon to 9:15 pm with the Blues and Brews event on Sunday afternoon at Gateway City Brewery.
“We are so proud to have local artists and musicians involved in every aspect of the festival this year,” says the Director of Programming and Events for the Capitol Centre, Dan Misturada. “We are trying a few new things including a big kick-off fundraiser concert with Glass Tiger, keeping the always-popular Blues Cruise and Clash of the Canvas, and this year the outdoor festival-style concerts will be on Friday and Saturday, and totally free.”
After parties with the musicians from the day concerts will be held at The Moose Cookhouse.
“We are excited to really immerse the community in blues by involving more locations and more local talent,” says Kerri Morin, marketing manager. “We’ve refreshed the look of the festival and we hope to see lots of wonderful support from the community, as well as attracting visitors from outside the area.”
Tickets go on sale for the public on Friday, March 10 at noon and will be available online at capitolcentre.org or at the box office.
