Bonterra Blues Bash 2005 : About the Bash

The Bonterra Lowcountry Blues Bash® is Charleston, South Carolina’s annual celebration of authentic blues music. With ten days of performances in select clubs, restaurants, hotels, and other venues, the Bash boasts some of the most innovative blues festival programming in North America. It’s all there -- from traditional to post-modern, from underappreciated downhome veterans to provocative up-and-coming talent, you will find The Bonterra Lowcountry Blues Bash to be delight for blues purists and new fans alike.

What's new for 2005

Real Folk Blues -- a series of early-start (8 pm), no- smoking, listener-friendly concerts in the delightful confines of Gage Hall. This is our second time using this performance space and we are thrilled -- great acoustics and very intimate. Gage Hall is located on Archdale Street at the intersection with Clifford St. (extension of Cumberland St.); only one block off King Street (please see map). Advance tickets are highly recommended as Gage Hall holds slightly more than 80 (eighty). See "Advance Tickets" for ordering info. Soft drinks, snacks available for purchase. All concerts start at 8 pm and finish by 10 pm (two sets with brief intermission).

The 'Real Folk Blues' series includes:

Friday, Feb. 11: The Wiyo's
Saturday, Feb. 12: Drink Small
Sunday, Feb. 13: Beverly Guitar Watkins & Shrimp City Slim
Tuesday, Feb. 15: Jason Ricci & New Blood
Thursday, Feb. 17: Miss Wanda Johnson & Shrimp CIty Slim
Friday, Feb. 18: Wes "Bluesman" Mackey
Saturday, Feb. 19: Skeeter Brandon & The Prime Rib Blues Band

"Brown Bag Blues" -- Noontime shows at the Library were a well-received experiment last year, so much so that we've scheduled four for this edition of the Blues Bash. Part performance, part workshop, part demonstration, these shows are fun for the entire family. A unique chance to see some of your favorite artists in the daylight! www.ccpl.org

Films at the Charleston County Library -- As a bonus this Bash, the Charleston County Library (Peter Paolini & Kevin Crothers, coordinators) will screen all three volumes of "American Folk Blues Festival". The background? German concert promoters and blues fans Lipmann & Rau organized a series of breathtaking Euro all-star blues tours in the early '60s and fortunately many of the artists were filmed (using state-of-the-art technology) for German TV. Each volume of the series offers priceless performances by some of the true giants of the blues: Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, Roosevelt Sykes, Buddy Guy, Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry, T-Bone Walker, Victoria Spivey, Little Walter...the list goes on and on. Even if you own the DVDs, this is a chance to see these remarkable blues documents on a large screen. www.ccpl.org

"Mardi Gras Oyster Roast on Daniel Island" -- Brought to you by the Charleston Battery (Charleston's high-spirited soccer team; www.charlestonbattery.com), the first annual Oyster Roast at Blackbaud Stadium promises to be a hit. What goes better with fresh, steamed Lowcountry oysters than a heaping portion of rockin' blues?!? The King Bees, Midnight Shift, The Shelley Magee Blues Band, and Bottles & Cans provide the soundtrack for your slurpin', sippin', and swiggin'...get there early and stay late.

Performances

The Blues Bash offers a vast range of performances (see schedule) held at a number of locations in both downtown Charleston and adjacent communities. Many of these are small, intimate venues; perfect places to enjoy blues music.

Venues Information

It is recommended you arrive early in most cases. Nightclub performances are essentially for blues fans twenty-one years of age or older. These performances ordinarily begin at 9:30-10:00pm. Other performances (of which there are many) in non-nightclub venues (restaurants, hotels, etc.) are all-ages and range from afternoons to evenings. Handicapped access varies according to venue. Please call ahead!

Contests & Promotions

Autographed guitar raffle to benefit Blues Relief Fund: Again this year, MBT International is donating a NEW GUITAR (a JB Player electric or acoustic; t.b.a.) TO BE RAFFLED OFF to benefit the Lowcountry Blues Relief Fund. The Blues Relief Fund is our emergency fund for blues musicians. Since its inception (year 2000), the Fund has helped numerous needy individiuals in our area and beyond. The cool thing is that, each year, we have all the artists of the Blues Bash autograph this guitar before we raffle it off (drawing will be February 19, 2005 at Cumberlands). You do not need to be present to win. In fact, you do not need to be present to buy raffle tickets! Tickets are only $1 each (make check payable to Lowcountry Blues Relief Fund)...send a note with your check to Blues Relief Fund, POB 13525, Charleston, SC 29422. We will ship the AUTOGRAPHED GUITAR if necessary (last year's guitar was shipped to the winner in Georgia). From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Merchandise

This year's t-shirt commemorates our late great bluesman friend, Richard "Big Boy" Henry ("The Patriarch of the Carolina Blues", 1921-2004), who was a huge inspiration to all of us and a frequent performer on the Lowcountry Blues Bash for many years. All profits from the sale of this year's Bash t-shirt will go to the Lowcountry Blues Relief Fund, our local emergency fund for blues musicians and their families. $22 postpaid by mail order: Blues Bash, PO Box 13525, Charleston, SC 29422 USA (overseas, please add US$5)

Blues on Your Radio

The voice of the Lowcountry Blues Bash is "Blues on The Bridge" (9-11 pm, every Sunday on The Bridge, WCOO 105.5 FM in Charleston), hosted by Shrimp City Slim. www.thebridgeat105.com for playlists and more info.

About Charleston

Founded in 1670, Charleston, South Carolina, is one of America’s loveliest cities, priding itself in a subtropical climate, a rich history, natural beauty, a fascinating mix of cultures, and a full range of services and accommodations. For general information on transportation, lodging, restaurants, etc., please check the Charleston Convention & Visitors’ Bureau home page.