The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Easy Baby, Kelly Rago, Shiny Lapel Trio on tap
Football will dominate the media this week. But you can get over to the Pine Loft Café on Sunday for the Connecticut Blues Society monthly Blues Jam. Catch some good blues and still be home in time for the Super Bowl kick-off. This month’s guest guitarist is Chris Vitarello.
Friday, Black-Eyed Sally’s brings in Easy Baby with Connecticut’s Blues Queen Kelly Rago. On Saturday, Fresh Paint takes the stage.
The Shiny Lapel Trio will perform at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, on Saturday. This is a little band with big sound and musical reputation. Keeping it simple with just three rockin’ instruments, and a big slice of velvety smooth vocals, these guys tear up a dance floor.
Tuesday the Kate is hosting Leon Russell. For more information, call 877-503-1286 or visit katharinehepburntheater.org.
The Tipping Chair Tavern has Murray The Wheel for an early opening show, 5 p.m. on Friday.
The Maple Tree Café has a big time double header this weekend. On Friday, Eight to the Bar hits the stage. Get ready for a night of dancing. On Saturday, the Mark Nomad Band brings his blues history to town.
Marilyn’s Pub in Bristol Friday, Black-Eyed Sally’s brings in Easy Baby with Connecticut’s Blues Queen Kelly Rago. is also bringing in the blues. Saturday, Eran Troy Danner and his electric trio will be there.
LaVita Gustosa on Friday has the Basically Blues Band. The Brass Horse Café has the D Smith Blues Band on Sunday.
Blues fans went to Memphis this past week, taking in the International Blues Challenge sponsored by the Blues Foundation. Connecticut will be represented by the 2016 State Blues Challenge winners. They are Blues Band Challenge: The Danny Draher Band; Solo/Duo Challenge: The Blakun Brothers; Youth Showcase: Jake Kulak and the Low Down; and Best Self Produced Album: EasyBaby.
The Connecticut Blues Society gets into the busy part of its schedule with the Blues Blizzard coming up in March.
You are all invited to the annual Blues Blizzard, known as the Best Blues Dance Party in the state. It is set for Saturday March 25. Once again the Connecticut Blues Society in conjunction with VFW Post 9929, is the host location, at 83 South Street, West Hartford.
The doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. Food and drinks are available by the VFW staff. With a large dance floor, the following bands will keep the place rocking.
6 p.m. The Whiskey Rebels; 7 p.m. Richie and the Red Hots; 8 p.m. The Rich Badowski Band; 9 p.m. The Mike Crandall Band; 10 p.m. Vitamin B-3.
After that, the Blues Challenge starts, to select the state representative for the next International Blues Challenge.
An interesting and historical note to this year’s International Blues Challenge is the holding of activities in the Clayborn Temple. Located just off of Beale Street, the Clayborn Temple was one of the meeting places for the Sanitation Workers during their historic strike.
That strike brought Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis. The “I Am A Man” march during the strike was captured by noted photographer Ernest Withers. The Withers Gallery, run by his family is located on Beale Street. Besides the blues and food, Blues Beat looks forward to visiting with Withers’ grandson Ernest.
When on Beale Street, you can stop in at King Jerry Lawler’s place. The wrestler has some good entertainment with Memphis mainstay Eric Hughes.
A recent article of interest allowed that Crain’s Chicago Business, the influential Chicago publication, has taken up the cause of convincing local government and business leaders to develop the visibility of the city’s blues scene to promote tourism. This is something that the state of Mississippi has been moving forward for years. Festivals, museums, and venues are a growing industry
In a January editorial, the weekly backs writer Mark Guarino’s argument in his Jan. 13 Crain’s story that the city of Chicago can and should do more to promote one of its greatest creations and most recognizable exports.
Although the city produces the largest free blues festival in the world every June, the government otherwise does almost nothing to acknowledge its internationally known blues music heritage. Nor does the city government support or publicize the local clubs dedicated to presenting blues year-round, as cities such as Memphis and New Orleans do to great success.
With a four-show TV franchise based in Chicago, it would seem to be a natural means to promote the blues.
The line-up teasers for the summer concert season are starting. Promoters are beginning to release names of the acts that will be appearing on stage. The choices are many and all of them have enjoyable features.
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com.