27th IH Mississippi Valley Blues Fest Sizzling Hot

Fourth of July weekend in Iowa means the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest (MVBF), one of the country's longest running and best loved blues festivals. Held on the banks of the mighty Mississippi at Davenport's beautiful LeClaire Park the show features two stages, three days and 28 acts. What better way to celebrate America's independence than with America's native music?

This year's festival will be held July 1 -- 3. There will be a half hour break Sunday at dusk on the bandstand stage to allow festival goers to enjoy the Quad Cities' spectacular fireworks show, Red, White, and Boom shot over Centennial Bridge on the river.

The impressive and varied line-up includes award winners, new comers and classics. Although blues is the uniting genre there will be many types of blues including blues rock, classic blues, Mississippi blues, zydeco and more.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to sprawl on the emerald green lawn but leave your coolers at home. No outside drinks or food will be allowed in the gates. Don't forget your sunscreen as shaded spots are claimed quickly.

Check out the Blueskool tent for fun entertainment watching kids learn to wail, play harmonica and more. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) uses the festival to promote their mission of educating the public and keeping the blues alive. The festival offers free adult workshops and the popular Blueskool for the kids where blues artists teach participants in the native music form.

The festival kicks off at 5 PM on July 1 with "Let's Party!" Friday. Zydeco will be featured on the band shell stage while Mississippi Blues will be featured on the tent stage. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers take over the bandshell at 9 with their unique style of zydeco featuring "America's hottest accordion". At 10:30 on the tent stage The Way of Blues Revue will feature some very talented and experienced musicians jamming together. The group includes King Edward, Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry, Mickey Rogers and Dr. Alphonso Sanders.

Saturday's festivities begin at 2. Mississippi Heat plays their traditional Chicago style blues at 8 on the band shell stage. This talented band will be opening for B.B. King later this summer. The winner of the 2010 "Most Outstanding Guitar Musician" Living Blues Award, Joe Lois Walker, will be performing on the band shell stage at 10. This musician has won multiple Blues Music Awards and Grammys and is reputed for giving inspired performances. You will find a tribute to the Queen of Blues, KoKo Taylor, on the tent stage at 7:30, performed by her protégées backed by Taylor's own band, The Blues Machine.

On Sunday, blues and gospel great Otis Clay will be honored for his 50 years of music with the MVBS RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award and performing on the tent stage. Another don't miss act, master showman Clay's fiery vocals are sure to bring you to your feet. The band shell stage will be alive with Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88sperforming their danceable blend of boogie-woogie starting at 9.

This affordable festival is one of the longest running blues shows in the U.S. Advance ticket prices are $50 for a three day pass or $17 for a one day pass. Gate admission for one day is $20. Children 14 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Costs are held down by entirely producing the event with volunteers. It takes over 200 volunteers to put on the show. This is the country's only major blues festival completely manned by volunteers.

This is just a small sampling of the offerings of the 27^th MVBF. For a complete line-up and more information please consult the MVBS website. This year's fest will be a sizzling hot show celebrating America's native sounds on America's independence weekend.

Sources:

http://mvbs.org/fest/

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=549246

http://joelouiswalker.com/

http://otisclay.net/

http://mississippiheat.net/

http://wayofbluesrevue.com/index.html