Special to the Journal
Springing the Blues is a free outdoor blues music festival designed to celebrate America’s indigenous musical form and promote support of the arts. The three-day oceanfront event features a number of renowned blues performers as well as numerous displays and activities geared for the entire family. Sam Veal, founder and executive director, describes the event as, “the largest outdoor, oceanfront, free blues music festival in the world.” This year, the festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary April 9-11 at the Seawalk Pavilion located at 75 north First Street in Jacksonville Beach.
Artists scheduled to perform for the weekend include Alphonso Sanders and Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry, Willie Green, Mile Train, Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm, Michael Burks, Conrad Oberg, Willie Mae, Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Shane Dwight, Chubby Carrier, John Nemeth, Tori Sparks, JoAnn Shaw Taylor and many more. This year features an eclectic mix of blues, with seasoned and emerging artists from all over the world.
This year’s kick-off event at George’s Music featured long-time supporters of the festival that remarked on their experience from past years and commented on what’s in store for this year. George Hines, title sponsor and owner of George’s Music, said, “blues is inspired through people’s lives, and the festival would not be possible without the continuing support of the community.” Former and current Jacksonville Beach mayors Bob Marsden and Fland Sharp said the reason the festival has been around for 20 years is because it started successfully and has been built up every year. Sharp said, “The festival has been great for the community, increasing sales for local restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs.”
The festival’s success has been acknowledged by various publications and tourist organizations. DownBeat magazine named Springing the Blues, one of the top 20 festivals in the world. The SouthEast Tourism Society has awarded Springing the Blues the distinction as a “Top 20 Event in the SouthEast”. And, the festival has being named one of the top 10 events for 2010 by The Florida Times-Union.
The festival features two sporting events, the 7th Annual Surfing the Blues Spring Surf Fest and Performance Running the Blues 5K Run and 2.5K Walk. These events take place April 10-11 in Jacksonville Beach. Paul West, coordinator of the Surfing the Blues, said the contest will emphasize youth this year by opening up a younger division.
In honor of the festival’s 20th anniversary, The Beaches Historical Museum will present a new exhibit called “20 years of Blues at the Beach-a retrospective of Springing the Blues Festival.” The multimedia exhibit will open the first day of the festival, April 9, and will remain open all weekend. It will feature an auction of all 20 posters from previous years.
For performance times and more information on The George’s Music Springing the Blues Festival, go to www.springingtheblues.com . www.facebook.com/georgesblues, or follow us on twitter under georgesblues.
