Spring Forward Blues
This Sunday marks the return of KVBA’s on-going 2nd Sunday Series of fundraising events to support the 17th Kalamazoo Blues Festival. With the weather of late, looks like we can celebrate spring, the blues, and the festival all at once! Remember to set your clocks forward, and come on out to The 411 Club this Sunday – doors open at 4:30 pm; music starts at 5:00 pm. A scant $6 gets you in the door. We may even have some insider information for you!
Weekend of Blues
So much to do and so little time… There are wonderful opportunities to get out this weekend and support live music (especially BLUES music) in the community. We’d sure love to see you come out on Sunday to support live acoustic blues at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum with Red Beans & Rice.
Happy bluesin’ to all and thankful that work for the weekend is done!
Lil’ Dave Thompson 1969 – 2010
From his agent:
It is with great sadness that I am sending this email to you all today. Lil’ Dave Thompson was killed in a car accident early this morning, Sunday, February 14, 2010. He was travelling home after playing the Blues Bash at Fiery Ron’s in Charleston, SC on his final day of a very succesful tour. The band was driving toward Greenville, MS when the van struck a hole in the road, veered into gravel and lost control. Lil’ Dave will be greatly missed by me personally. It has been an honor and blessing to represent such a genuine talent and wonderful person.
Lil’ Dave is survived by Susan White, his wife of 15 years; his children: David Jr. (20), Danielle (19), Shequeena (18), Shirleiah (16) and Destiny (13); sisters Patricia, Barbara Denise, Jennifer and Pasty Thompson, Zenovia Henderson and Rose Marie Richmond; and brothers John, Sam, Elijah Allen and Tyrone Thompson.
February 14th – Festival Fundraiser
We truly appreciate the folks that have come out to hear some very tasty blues at our 2nd Sunday Series at The 411 Club. And while attendance has been good, we have room for more. The KVBA is not in the same position as we were last year, but the festival continues to be a struggle to produce without support from blues fans throughout the year.
Frankly speaking, memberships are down. Attendance, solid at the 2009 festival, did not put enough funds in our coffers to pay all the bills, pay the overhead of our office and storage, and provide “seed money” that is needed to bring another great blues festival to our blues fans in southwest Michigan. Your help is still needed. We are still seeking more sponsors and advertisers interested in promoting their companies through our festival program. If you have some ideas, we’d be interested in hearing them.
Come on down to The 411 Club on Sunday, February 14th and celebrate the blues and support a great cause. Bring your sweetheart, and a couple of his (or her) friends! Great People, Great Music, Great Legacy – that’s what the blues is; be part of it.
Beginning tonight!
The weekend is upon us and the blues abound. Blues Jam with Out of Favor Boys at The 411 tonite; the inaugural WRKR/Bud Blues Show at the State Theatre; the after-show party at The 411; Chili-contests spiced up by the blues. An incredible weekend of the blues! If you are at the State Theatre, make sure to stop by our table and snatch some raffle tix – we’ll be there. Wherever you find yourself, make sure to get out and support live music – turn off the machine of churning technofied stuff and get out to hear music as it was intended: LIVE, imperfect, and beautiful! See you at the clubs.
IBC in Memphis or holdin’ down the fort?
What are YOUR plans this week. This week, for some, marks the annual pilgrimage to Memphis, TN for the purpose of attending the International Blues Challenge. For others, it is a week to work for the weekend so you can hit the clubs and testify for the blues!
Whatever it is for you, may it be blessed by the blues. Send out your good thoughts for KVBA entrants Chris Canas Blues Revolution (band category), Doug Beckman (solo/duo category), & The Mike Sheperd Band (youth showcase category). Please send out a good thought to Detroit Blues Society entrant, Kalamazoo’s own: Crossroads-The Resurrection. We will try to keep up with posting IBC info (maybe even some rough videos) during our time in Memphis.
3rd Sunday Acoustic Blues @ The Kzoo Muse
The Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association will once again host a fun afternoon of acoustic blues entertainment at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. This month will feature Doug Beckman (and later some of his friends will join in a blues jam). 1 pm – 4:30 pm – free show (although tips are encouraged!).
We urge everyone who can attend to come on out and help us send Doug off to Memphis in fine style as Kalamazoo’s representative in the solo/duo International Blues Challenge.
Celebrate the Blues this New Year
The KVBA will host the 2nd Sunday Series festival fundraiser this weekend at The 411 Club. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the show starts at 5:00 pm – only $6 for a very good cause. The show this month features
Kevin Q & the Night Crew w/Venitia Sekema
and the
Chris Canas Blues Revolution
Hope you can come out and join in the fun.
WRKR/Bud Blues Series Tickets on Sale
The line-up has been announced for the WRKR/Bud Blues Series at the Kalamazoo State Theatre. (We’re happy to see that many have performed at past Kalamazoo Blues Fests…)
January 29 Lil’ Dave Thompson & Kelly Richey
February 12 Cedric Burnside & Lightning Malcolm
February 26 John Primer & Maurice John Vaughn
March 12 Tab Benoit
March 26 Watermelon Slim & The Workers
April 9 The Tommy Castro Band
April 23 E.C. Scott
Series Pass is $75 on sale at the State Theatre Box Office – all shows on Friday at 8 pm. For more info, check out the web site link here.
3rd Sunday Acoustic Blues at the Muse
Would you believe that Maxwell Smart is gonna be at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum this coming Sunday? Well, Chief, it’s true. What a great way to spend a nice Sunday afternoon with the kids; hit Bronson Park and check the lights and scenes in the park, then saunter on over the museum to get your fix of the blues – for free (donations accepted!). For all the details check here.
