The Bradenton Blues Festival

Save The Date – Saturday – December 1, 2012

 For tickets and general information click here!

The inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival, slated for December 1, 2012 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., at the re-designed Riverwalk. Nestled along the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton, will feature some of the top blues acts in the country, says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the festival’s organizer. “Our artistic director, Paul Benjamin, has assembled a world-class lineup of artists of national and regional acclaim,” she says. “This is going to be one heck of a hot inaugural festival. We expect to attract blues enthusiasts from around the region and country.”

Benjamin, who founded and still produces the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, Maine, says that he was thrilled with the response he received from the artists. “This festival will play host to some America’s finest blues artists. Ruthie Foster, Kenny Neal, Dave ‘Biscuit’ Miller, Southern Hospitality, Johnny Sansone, Homemade Jamz, the Steve Arvey Horn Band with Henry Lawrence, and Ben Prestage have all come on board,” says Benjamin. “With acts like this, we’re expecting a ticket sell-out well in advance of the festival.”

Isham adds that festival organizers are offering a special offer for people who purchase tickets before June 1, 2012. “The general admission will be $30 at the door,” says Isham. “But if people buy advance tickets on our website before June 1, they’ll get them for $25. As an added bonus, we’ll include three issues of Blues Revue magazine and a Blues Music CD sampler (a $17.50 value).”

“Dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals are supporting this event, to help rock our region with a world-class festival and show the world that the city of Bradenton and Manatee County is great place to live, work, play, and visit!” says Isham. “The response from event sponsors has been overwhelming. We’re delighted to announce that the festival’s Presenting Sponsor is M&I, a part Of BMO Financial Group.”

Kerry Ward, vice president of M&I, expressed why M&I is taking a leadership role as the Presenting Sponsor of the inaugural festival. “We feel this is a great opportunity to be part of the momentum building in the downtown area and to partner with Realize Bradenton as they continue to create great destinations and events in our community,” he said. “This event has the potential to become world-class and we hope the business community will join us in helping to make that happen.”

Isham says that event sponsors will experience the blues in VIP style designed by Lisa Arrigo of LA Events Inc., including exclusive use of the VIP Pavilion, a full bar, and gourmet culinary stations prepared by Pier 22. Best of all, VIP guest have access to private bathrooms decorated in blues style.

Visit Bradenton Blues Festival FaceBook Page Click Here!

Read The Story In The Bradenton Herald Today!

The Bradenton Blues Festival article is in today’s Bradenton Herald.

 Volunteers and food vendors can complete an on-line application in the “Get Involved” section of the website at:

www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.