The Caribbean’s About to Get Bluer

The St. John Blues Festival is nearly upon us - and we can't wait!

by Kelly O'Brien

For eight years now, bluesmaster Steve Simon has brought the world (really, like the whole world) of blues to St. John's shores for a week of top-notch blues acts that leave the entire island thrumming with excitement. Well, the time has come for our humble island to once again play host to a collection of blues giants so mighty, you'll hardly believe your ears!

"It's going to be a huge week," says Simon, founder and organizer of this and many other blues festivals. "The audience is in for a real treat."

As with every year, the upcoming Eighth Annual Johnnie Walker St. John Blues Festival (we'll stick with blues fest, from here on) will comprise five days of evening shows (March 17-21) at bars and restaurants around the island, culminating in one giant blues extravaganza (March 20, 7pm) at the Coral Bay ballfield.

The artists for this year's festival hail from all over the globe (from Salem, Oregon to Lillestrom, Norway) and have won more international blues competitions than you even knew existed. Deanna Bogart (pictured) will kick off the festival, with her world-renowned fusion of boogie and blues. The Ford Blues Band has been a blues powerhouse since the ‘70s, while JP Soars  and the Red Hots (pictured) are up-and-coming superstars, winners of the 2009 International Blues Challenge. The Ty Curtis Band may be brand new to the world of blues, but they also made it to the finals at the Challenge. JT Lauritsen and Shakura S'Aida are two international artists that have taken the European blues scene by storm, and EG Kight has lived and breathed the blues since she was old enough to hum, impressing industry giants all along the way. Finally, Washboard Jo, a huge hit at last year's festival, has returned this year to round out what will be a truly unforgettable musical experience.

Event Details

Dates: Wednesday, March 17 through Sunday, March 21

(For weeknight shows, see calendar listings for details.)
Main Show: Saturday evening, March 20
Location: Coral Bay ballfield
Time: 7pm
Starring: Deanna Bogart, The Ford Blues Band, JP Soars & The Red Hots, The Ty Curtis Band, JT Lauritsen, Shakura S'Aida, EG Kight, and Washboard Jo
Food & Beverage: Available all evening, thanks to Rotary St. John, the Gifft Hill School, and Shela's Pot.

Remember, says Simon, "Bring a chair, bring a blanket, but please...no coolers!"
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the gate
Tickets available at the following locations beginning on February 17:
St. John - Connections (in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay) and Chelsea Drugstore in the Marketplace
St. Thomas - Chelsea Drugstore in Red Hook
There will be $5 safari taxi rides each way from the Cruz Bay ferry dock to and from the Coral Bay ballfield all evening and an extra, late night passenger ferry back to Red Hook at 1am.
For more details, visit http://stevesimonpresents.com

March 2010