PRE-SALE
WRISTBANDS ON SALE NOW
Photos by Nan Hughes
Clarksdale,
Mississippi -- A decade into
the 21st Century, Mississippi's
juke joints are still the stars
of Clarksdale's annual Juke
Joint Festival & Related
Events this April 17th. Pre-sale
wristbands are now on sale
for the world-famous event
at www.jukejointfestival.com.
" We're the only festival in the world where some raggedy old blues clubs
are as important as the festival's big headliners," explained Roger Stolle,
music coordinator for the festival and owner of the Cat Head blues store. "We
offer the music, culture and history that no other blues event outside of the
Delta can match. Honestly, you could say it's one of the world's most authentic
blues fests."
 Now in its seventh year, Juke Joint Festival regularly draws attendees
from over 15 foreign countries and nearly all 50 US states. Still,
the homegrown event holds a special place in the hearts of locals festival-goers
as well.
" Juke Joint Festival truly lives up to its tag line," said Nan Hughes,
president of the Clarksdale Downtown Development Association that puts on the
popular festival. "It's half blues festival, half small-town fair and all
about the Delta. From a student art show and racing pigs to a mini film fest
and plenty of blues music, it's got it all -- something for everyone."
The Juke Joint Festival itself is Saturday, April 18th, with related
events on that Friday and Sunday. Kicking off on Saturday with a 5K/8K
run at 8am, the vendor booths and live music fire up at 10am. With
the exception of music and education events on the Delta Blues Museum's
outdoor main stage, most of the daytime entertainment will wrap up
around 5pm. The main stage runs till 7pm.
At 9pm, the juke joints themselves become part of the action.
" This year, we anticipate having as many as 17 nighttime juke joint stages," according
to Stolle. "From big clubs that hold 200 people to tiny jukes that hold
30, we've got it all."
At press time, official festival nighttime venues include Ground Zero
Blues Club, Red's Lounge, Sarah's Kitchen, Delta Amusement Cafe, Tricia's,
Bluesberry Cafe, Stone Pony, Hambone Gallery, Club 2000, Messenger's,
Pete's Grill, Delta Blues Room, Anniebelle's, Hopson Commissary (front
stage and back porch), Juke Joint Chapel at Shackup Inn and Hick's
Tamales.
 Musical acts performing in Clarksdale during festival weekend include
Honeyboy Edwards, Big George Brock, Super Chikan, Big Jack Johnson,
Watermelon Slim, Jimbo Mathus, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm,
Johnny Rawls, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Blind "Mississippi" Morris,
Stacy Mitchhart, James "T-Model" Ford, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes,
Terry "Big T" Williams, Foster "Mr. Tater" Wiley,
Robert "Wolfman" Belfour, Josh "Razorblade" Stewart,
Guitar Mikey, Robert "Bilbo" Walker, Cedell Davis and dozens
more. In total, over 50 blues acts will play in town as a result of
festival events.
As always, the price is right for Juke Joint Festival.
" We want everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities," said festival
co-organizer Goldie Hirshberg. "The official daytime events are free once
again, and the nighttime wristband is still only $10 -- the same price it was
seven years ago when the festival started."
Pre-sale wristbands are now on sale exclusively at www.jukejointfestival.com.
The web site also features additional festival information. To become
a vendor, sponsor or donor, contact Nan Hughes at pba@cableone.net or
662-624-4066.
|
