SebastianRiver Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Blues Birthday Bash

November 14-16

You'll be "singing the blues" in November, but it's a good thing....that is if you attend the "Blues Birthday Bash" the weekend of November 14-16. Sponsored by the Sebastian River Area Chamber Foundation, Inc., this first time event will explode with music, 17 musical greats performing continuously on two stages throughout the three day festival. The site is the Fellsmere Riding Club Rodeo Arena in Fellsmere, Florida. Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers are print sponsors of the event.

Bluzpik Rekerdz coordinated all the musical acts for the Sebastian Chamber's 50 th Birthday celebration which will commence on Friday, November 14 when the gates open at 4 p.m. The music launches at 5 p.m. with the red-hot acoustic Delta blues courtesy of Ernie Southern& the Deltaholics, followed by Orlando's hottest Blues band, The Smokin' Torpedoes, Blues-Rock mixed with Soul from Miami based. Darrell Raines, scorching blues guitarist Eric Culberson and Contemporary blues-rock guitar virtuoso Albert Cummings concluding the evening with an 8:30 performance.

The excitement doesn't end there. The arena will be packed with craft booths, food, drink and many activities to fill the day. Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16. The coolest guitar player the world has ever known, Blues Guitar Legend Hubert Sumlin, the 2008 Blues Hall of Fame inductee, ends the day with his 8:30 p.m. performance. Before that, crowds will enjoy a host of other blues greats starting with powerful R&B, Soul and Blues singer Betty Padgett at 1 p.m. followed by the deeply expressive and soulful voice of Robin Rogers, the high energy Blues R & B master Joey Gilmore,reknown Blues Mandolin master Rich DelGrosso accompanied by local favorites The Nouveax Honkies, popular Florida based Blues rocker, guitarist Albert Castiglia, currently charting nationally with his latest release, and American blues guitarist Matt "Guitar" Murphy, from Blues Brothers fame. This is a rare public performance for the legendary Murphy as he celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Blues Brothers first release. Mr. Murphy has played with many blues legends over his 60 year career including Howlin' Wolf, Memphis Slim, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Etta James, Chuck Berry, and of course many recordings, movies & tours with The Blues Brothers.

Come for the day, or make it an entire weekend experience. If you do, you won't regret it. Ben Prestage takes center stage with his Florida Swamp Blues at 1p.m. on Sunday, followed by the ever popular Blues based Roots/Americana sounds of the Nouveaux Honkies, the powerhouse team of Cedric Burnside and Lightnin Malcolm of the Juke Joint Duo, the jammin' funky Alvin Jett & the Phatnoiz Blues Band, and concluding the weekend bash will be the exceptionally passionate and emotional sounds of the Chris Duarte Group. Duarte is the kind of player who effortlessly touches base with Hendrix in terms of experimentalism, Stevie Ray in terms of tonality and Johnny Winter in terms of lightning fast note flurries. He plays Texas blues-rock mixed with Coltrane jazz influenced experimental blues.


Tickets for the "Blues Bash" will go on sale October 1. Ticket costs are $10 for Friday and Sunday, $20 for Saturday and $30 for the entire weekend package. Call in your ticket order to 772-589-5969 or www.SebastianChamber.com. VIP Tickets for $125 each are also being sold which includes full access to VIP tent throughout the entire weekend with food and drink included. The VIP Tent, located within close proximity to the entertainment, will be a climate controlled environment with piped in music. VIP's will receive a special VIP parking pass to insure easy access to the festival grounds and have access to the special VIP restrooms. VIP's will also receive a package of event mementos including t-shirts, lanyards, and other merchandise and promotional material. Call Nicole at 772-589-5969 for all the information.

The Fellsmere Riding Club Arena is located 2 miles west of I-95 exit 156 (CR 512) at 13101 99 th Street, Fellsmere. Go west on CR512 to first red light (approx 2 miles). Turn right (north) at light on Willow Street. Arena is approx 1 mile up on left. Parking attendants will be available to direct you. Parking is complimentary.

The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting business, promoting tourism and working on quality of life issues in the community. All of the net proceeds from the "Blues Bash" will go towards repairing the damage to the Chamber building (located at 700 Main Street in Sebastian) that was caused by the 2004 hurricanes as well as improving the appearance of the Pelican Porch Visitors Center at the same location.

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and sunscreen. No coolers allowed. For more "Blues Bash" information, visit www.SebastianChamber.com or www.myspace.com/bluesbirthdaybash.