Wilmington,
NC � July 2006 � Continuing a tradition of bringing together world-class
touring blues artists, noted regional performers, and the most talented
local blues musicians, the Cape Fear Blues Society presents the 11th
Annual Cape Fear Blues Festival on July 28-30 in Wilmington, North
Carolina. Three fabulous days of blues featuring major blues artists, live
concerts, blues jams, workshops, and special events celebrate the history,
heritage and interpretations of one of America�s most treasured musical
art forms. There�s something for everyone in the 2006 Cape Fear Blues Festival
lineup of talent which features national and local musicians whose music
ranges from traditional to contemporary blues.
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Here�s
a Preview of the 11th Annual Cape Fear Blues Festival:
Friday,
July 28: The Cape Fear Blues Cruise departs at 7:30pm (boards at 7:00pm)
aboard the Henrietta III riverboat (docked along Water Street) for a bluesy
cruise down the Cape Fear River. The largest cruise of its kind in the
Carolinas, passengers enjoy 3 bands, 3 decks and 3 cash bars, appetizers
and a blues-filled sunset. This year�s cruise features zydeco, contemporary
and traditional blues artists, so bring your dancing shoes when N.C. native-turned
Louisiana swamp blues master Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos perform
their �mojo music,� a unique blend of zydeco, Cajun, blues, and New Orleans
jazz. On other decks, local favorites Mario & The Shakers will have
everyone dancing to beach and Motown tunes, and blues soloist extraordinaire
Mojo Collins will perform acoustic blues tunes. Advance tickets are $40
each. To reserve tickets, please call 910-343-1611 or 800-676-0162.
The
party continues during this year�s Post-Cruise Party featuring R&B
artists The Dynamic Therm-O-Tones at The Rusty Nail (1310 S. 5th St.).
Other musicians and venues include Category IV with classic rockin� blues
at Water Street Restaurant (5 S. Water St.); Tommy B. & The Stingers
with award-winning blues & boogie at Charley Brownz Lounge (21 S. Front
St.); and famed Chicago blues/R&B artists Nappy Brown & Bob Margolin
at Marrz Theater (15 S. Front St.).
Saturday,
July 29: A free Blues Workshop with Louisiana Red Hot Records recording
artist/Resophonic guitar master Rick Tobey at Finkelstein Music (6 S. Front
St., Wilmington) begins at 11:00am. Call 910-762-5662 for more info.
At
noon, tote your lawn chairs and blankets across the river to Battleship
Park (beside the Battleship North Carolina on Eagle Island) for the Cape
Fear Blues Festival Concert where Chicago�s hottest retro-blues guitarist
Nick Moss & The Flip Tops (a featured performer at the 2006 Blues Music
Awards) will headline an afternoon/evening of live blues along the Cape
Fear River. Other special guests include former Muddy Waters bassist Mac
Arnold & Plate Full �O Blues; Louisiana Red Hot Records artist Rick
Tobey & The Chickenhead Blues Band; North Carolina blues showmen The
Heaters; and the Cape Fear Blues All-Stars. Food vendors, beverages, water
taxi and free parking are available on-site. A water taxi shuttles from
the dock at Water & Market streets. Gates open at 12:00 noon (rain
or shine) and events take place under the tent at Battleship Park. No pets
allowed. Tickets: $12 advance/$16 gate at Wilmington Harris-Teeter stores
(after July 6) and Finkelstein Music (6 S. Front St.).
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Beginning
at 8pm, Charlie & Rose Lucas play classic blues/R&B at Water Street
Restaurant. Later that evening, Saturday�s Post-Festival Concerts crank
up at 9:30pm at Marrz Theater (15 S. Front St.) with a rockin�-good lineup
that includes The Vistas, Willie Stomp & Polar Bear, and Michele and
the Midnight Blues. Also at 9:30pm, 5 Car Garage and The Dynamic Therm-O-Tones
turn it on at Wilmington�s newest venue, Bella Festa (125 Princess St.).
Sunday,
July 31: The free All-Day Blues Jam begins at 12:00 noon at Battleship
Park with top regional blues musicians. No pets allowed. To reserve a jam
slot call Pete Durso: 910-383-1247. The evening culminates at 6:00pm with
the Finkelstein Music Guitar Giveaway: a Fender Stratocaster or a Fender
Blues Junior tube amplifier. Raffle tix ($1 each) are available at Finkelstein
Music or at Cape Fear Blues Jams. Details: 910-350-8822.
For
details on the Cape Fear Blues Festival, call 910-350-8822 or visit www.CapeFearBlues.org.
For a free Visitors Guide with accommodation and attraction information
for Historic Wilmington & NC�s Cape Fear Coast, please visit www.GoCapeFearCoast.com
or call 910-341-4030 or 1-866-266-9690.
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Media:
Cape
Fear Coast CVB
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Manager
(910)
341-4030 ext. 20, or
(866)
266-9690
The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Cape Fear Coast
Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing
organization for New Hanover County that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism. |
