On Saturday, May 1st, the Alabama Blues Project presents Blues Extravaganza 2010. This is the ABPs first outdoor festival! It is a free, family-friendly blues festival and will be held in historic downtown Northport from noon to 7 p.m. The live show features three After-School Blues Camp student bands as well as Alabama blues greats Microwave Dave, Bettie Fikes, Lil' Jimmy Reed and more! This event is hosted by the Northport Downtown Merchants Association.
The Blues Extravaganza is in its third year as a unique musical celebration, bringing seasoned blues talent together with the young ABP After-School Blues Camp students and showcasing their combined Alabama blues power to the community at large. The 60+ students have been studying the blues all spring and are looking forward to sharing the fruits of their hard work and performing along side professional Alabama Blues Performers.
Microwave Dave and Lil' Jimmy Reed are internationally known and regulars on the Alabama blues club and festival circuit. Alabama native Bettie Fikes is flying specially from California for this wonderful show. Bettie is known for her blues, gospel and freedom songs and she is a star known across the U.S. and the world.
The After-School Blues Camp brings Alabama's rich blues heritage to the next generation of budding musicians and combines hands-on music instruction with a life-skills curriculum and blues music history. This year, over 60 Blues Camp students will be performing in three levels of unique blues orchestras: beginning band, intermediate band and the advanced band, which recently participated in the Blues Foundation's 2010 International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase.
Students and audience alike will also be treated to performances by the Blues Instructors, whose members have been teaching our young students throughout the semester. These great musicians include B.J. Reed, Bruce Andrews, Debbie Bond, Jesse Suttle, Brad Guin and more. It's going to be a party!
For more information, or if you would be willing to volunteer, please call at (205) 752-6263 or email cara@alabamablues.org.
