Marquette Area Blues Society Blues Festival

Labor Day Weekend
Marquette, Michigan

Where Superior Meets the Blues

The Marquette Area Blues Society has announced the headline performers for the 2009 Marquette Area Blues Fest. The festival, now in it's 6th year, will once again be held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in downtown Marquette over Labor Day Weekend. The dates are Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2009. Featured performers on Saturday include Blue Bass entertainment recording artists Biscuit Miller & the Mix, VizzTone recording artist Gina Sicilia and Chikan Howse Records recording artist James "SUPER CHIKAN" Johnson.

On Sunday, the featured performers are Michigan's very own "The King of the Party Blues" Maurice Davis, Shanachie Entertainment recording artist Curtis Salgado and Blind Pig recording artists Smokin' Joe Kubek and B'nois King. Also on the bill for the weekend will be the finest in local and regional blues performers. The music will begin both days at 1-pm with gates opening at noon. Be sure to take in the food and merchandise vendors as well as the workshops offered during the weekend to make it a complete blues experience!

2009 MARQUETTE AREA BLUES FEST ARTISTS

	Saturday, September 5th		Sunday, September 6th
1pm	THE TWISTIN' TARANTULAS WITH GEORGE FRIEND	1pm	MILLIE STREET
2:30pm	ORIGINAL DELTA FIREBALLS	2:30pm	REVEREND ROBERT SEXTON
4pm	BISCUIT MILLER & the MIX	4pm	MAURICE DAVIS
6pm	GINA SICILIA	6pm	CURTIS SALGADO
8pm	SUPER CHIKAN	8pm	SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING

Tickets on sale now!

Call NMU EZ Tickets at 906-227-1032.

Tickets now available at these locations...

Marquette: NMU EZ Tickets in the Superior Dome, Jim's Music, Marquette Wallpaper & Paint, MacDonald's Music, and the Lake Superior Community Partnership

Escanaba: The Record Rack

Iron Mountain: The Music Tree

Houghton: Good Times Music

PLEASE NOTE - CREDIT CARD FEES MAY APPLY!

Weekend Pass - $40.00 until Friday, September 4th

Daily pass ON SITE ONLY - $25.00

Children 14 & under FREE!

NMU students & high school students can purchase tickets at a discount IN ADVANCE at the NMU Superior Dome. Must show school I.D. for discount. Limit 2 tickets.

Groups should call 249-4382 about large ticket purchases.

Food vendors. Dance workshops. Music workshops.

GET IN THE GROOVE

To register for any workshops or for more information, call 249-4382.

HOHNER HARMONICA WORKSHOP with Geneva Red.

Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at 12 Noon at the Frazier Boathouse on Lakeshore Drive

Harmonica player/singer/songwriter Geneva Red conducts an introduction to Blues Harmonica. Having an endorsement contract with the Hohner Harmonica Company since 1998, Geneva Red is one of the leading female Blues Harmonica players in the world today. Red is well known for her work with her bands of accomplished musicians, Geneva Red & The Roadsters and The Original Delta Fireballs.

The workshop includes:

A quality Hohner Harmonica to participants. *
A brief history of the tradition and pioneering artists of the "Blues Harp" (Deford Baily, Sonny Boy Williamson #1, Sonny Boy Williamson #2, Big Walter, Little Walter, etc.) demonstrated through a short performance period with her duo The Original Delta Fireballs.
A basic lesson at the beginning level to allow the participants to get an understanding of the techniques used to play the "Blues Harp."
Red will also demonstrate these techniques and participants will perform these lessons with the accompaniment of The Original Delta Fireballs.
To finish, Red will open up a question and answer forum.

*Additional charge applies.

RHYTHM BONES WORKSHOP with Randy Seppala

Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Dance Tent on the Festival Grounds.

Come and learn about an ancient hand percussion instrument called the rhythm bones. They are played with all types of music including traditional Irish, folk, bluegrass, jazz, ragtime, polkas and blues. Stop in to learn about "Dem Bones!

NMU Swing Dance Club Again Hosting Free Swing Dance Workshop.

Once again this year at the Fest you can try free blues and swing dance classes, compliments of members of the NMU Swing Dance Club. Lessons are scheduled at about 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm both days (between acts so dancers can hear the instructions, and then try out their new moves during the next act). As a reminder, lesson times will be posted at the tent, and announced from the stage between acts. Stop by the Dancing Tent to check out the fun! The Marquette Area Blues Society thanks Jason and Amanda Swanson, Mary Collins and Katie Goodfellow for again offering these free lessons to our blues-loving ticket holders.

CAN YOU VOLUNTEER?

If so, sign up here.

The "Fine Print"

Gate & Security Information

Please be ready to be searched before entrance through the gate. Security will want you to take out your lawn chairs from any canvas bags, large bags and purses are discouraged. Umbrellas will need to be opened. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Security needs to see entrance wristbands on festival goers wrists. This will help us! If your wristband is not in plain site on your wrist, you may be escorted off the grounds. So please keep your entrance wristband provided at the gate in plain sight throughout the weekend.

General Site Information

The festival will take place rain or shine. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcomed for festival seating. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. However, please be mindful of others around you (if you have lawn chairs, do not sit down directly in front of someone on a blanket). We hope to have first-aid available on site -- however, emergencies should be reported immediately to security.

Some Reminders

There is no overnight camping on-site.
Parents are responsible for their children (up to 17 years old).
Sorry! Absolutely no pets!
Please keep your area clean. Dispose of all trash (including cigarette butts).
Contact security for any questions or concerns.
Still photos are allowed (keep flash to a minimum at night).
No video or audio recorders. This is disrespectful to the artists.
The lost and found will be at the MABS Headquarters Tent.
Credit cards, cash and checks with ID accepted.
An ATM is located near the Fest grounds.
The Marquette Area Blues Society endorses the designated driver program. If you choose to drink, drink responsibly. Do not drink and drive.
We want you to have fun, but keep in mind "Public Drunkenness" or "Public Nuisance" will not be tolerated. You may be escorted off of the site. Anyone underage caught drinking will be prosecuted.
No illegal drugs on-site. Officials will be contacted. Anyone underage caught with illegal drugs on-site will be prosecuted.
The Marquette Area Blues Society is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen items.
The Marquette Area Blues Society is not responsible for personal injuries or death.
No loitering outside the festival gates. The Marquette Area Blues Society has rented this entire park from the City of Marquette for the weekend.
Volunteers are needed for clean up Sunday night & tear down Monday!

THANKS!!

AND to the MANY, MANY volunteers who put in countless hours to make this festival a reality!

We thank all of the musicians for making the long trip up north and we thank their families for the support and understanding they give these talented individuals.