news release

< back to media main page

BLAST FURNACE BLUES FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY HIGHMARK BLUE SHIELD SET FOR SEPT. 16-18 IN BETHLEHEM, PA

DATE: Sept 8, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org

Buckwheat Zydeco and JJ Grey & Mofro Highlight List of 30-plus Acts Performing at New Blues Festival at SteelStacks

BETHLEHEM, PA—Grammy Award winner Buckwheat Zydeco and internationally-acclaimed artist JJ Grey & Mofro highlight the lineup of more than 30 international, national and local blues acts performing at ArtsQuest's inaugural Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield at the new SteelStacks arts and cultural campus in Bethlehem Sept. 16-18. Festival passes and single-day passes for the event are on sale now at www.artsquest.org and 610-332-3378.

For the Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield, ArtsQuest has partnered with Michael Cloeren Productions and Michael Cloeren, founder and producer of the award-winning Pocono Blues Festival, which took place from 1992-2010, to present a dynamic and eclectic lineup of blues legends and up-and coming artists. During the festival, audiences will enjoy music on four stages including performances by harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite, acclaimed blues guitarist Bernard Allison, 2010 Grammy Award nominee Ruthie Foster, former Howlin' Wolf band leader and 7-time W.C. Handy Award nominee Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang, and Dana Fuchs, musical star of the Sony Pictures hit "Across The Universe."

Headlining Blast Furnace Blues on Sept. 17 at 8:45 p.m. is Buckwheat Zydeco, who, The New York Times, said, "leads one of the best party bands in America." The winner of the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Cajun and Zydeco Album, Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Jr. has been performing soul-filled zydeco and Cajun music for more than three decades. Over the years, he has gigged with everyone from Eric Clapton and U2 to The Boston Pops. His band performed to a worldwide audience of three billion people at the 1996 Summer Olympics' closing ceremonies, as well as to packed houses at both inaugurations for President Bill Clinton.

On Sept. 18, 7:45 p.m., the Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark comes to a thunderous close with a scorchin' set by JJ Grey & Mofro. Known for his unique blend of R&B, soul, blues and rock, Grey has performed at festivals around the globe, including the Austin City Limits Festival, Bonnaroo, Montreal Jazz Festival and Fuji Rock in Japan. Over the course of his 15-plus year career, this talented multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter has shared the stage with the likes of the B.B. King, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Jeff Beck and many others.

Additional highlights of the Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark include a tribute to Chicago Style Blues on Sept. 18 featuring music by legendary guitarist Hubert Sumlin with the Chicago Blues All Stars featuring Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger and Bob Margolin; and a special Blues Brunch with singer Teeny Tucker Sept. 18 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (separate brunch ticket required, but ticket is included free as part of special VIP Festival Package). Tucker's performance will be dedicated to the Life & Music of Big Mama Thornton and Big Maybelle, the two legendary singers she honored on her 2008 recording, "Two Big M's," which spent 22 weeks on the international Blues Roots Chart.

Blast Furnace Blues Festival gates open at 4 p.m. Sept. 16 and 11 a.m. Sept. 17-18; music begins at 5 p.m. Friday, 12:30 p.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday. Three-day festival passes are $55 in advance and $65 at the gate. Single-day passes for Friday are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate; single-day passes for Saturday and Sunday are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. Special VIP Festival Packages, including access to the Blues Brunch with Teeny Tucker, access to Artist Meet & Greets, a reserved parking pass and more, are also available.

For complete information on the Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield, visit www.artsquest.org.

ABOUT ARTSQUEST

ArtsQuest™ is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest®; the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks™ arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest's programming reaches more than 1.5 million people annually.

For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.