(Ventura, CA) - All roads lead to Ventura as the world's best Blues music and Craft Beer once again meet at the 6th Annual California Beer Festival, Mission Park, 185 E. Santa Clara St., Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21. Prior to that is Ventura County Beer Week, from September 14-21, with nightly Craft beer-themed activities at selected venues throughout Ventura. The California Beer Festival is now a yearly post-Labor Day event that draws several thousand people during each of it's two distinctly different days - Saturday primarily for Craft Beer enthusiasts; Sunday for Blues lovers of all ages permitted (children 12 and under, free). Tickets priced as follows: Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven, $50.; Designated Driver tickets (Saturday only), $25.; Sunday's Blues & BBQ Fest (only), $30.; Blues & BBQ Sample Judge ticket, $45. (get to sample up to eight BBQ entries and vote for the winners! Sunday only); V.I.P. 3-Day Pass (Friday's 'Brew With A View,' Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven and Sunday's Blues & BBQ Fest, $109; 2-Day Pass (Craft Beer Festival and Blues & BBQ Fest), $75. Buy tickets now at http://www.californiabeerfestival.com/ventura/buytickets.php. Info: (805) 351-5650. In keeping with the yearly tradition, a portion of the proceeds from each day benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to student athletes to assist in their pursuit of both scholastic and athletic success in Ventura County.
Saturday, September 20: CRAFT BEER HEAVEN
Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven (12:30-5:00 p.m.) is one of the largest yearly beer festivals in the state, and with over 140 craft beers on tap, it's a great place to come sample amazing craft beer from all over the world. Sample such fine beers as the legendary Burt's Honey Wheat; Karl Strauss; Surf Brewery; Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company; Creekside brewing Company; Woodchuck Hard Cider; Twisted Manzanita Ales; Wolf Creek Brewing Company; Mike's Hard Lemonade Company; American Vintage Beverage; Headlands Brewing Company; The Lab Brewing Company; Tap It Brewing Company; Fireman's Brew; Chaucer's Cellars; The Boston Beer Company; Ace Cider; Twisted Tea Brewing Company; Indian Wells Brewery; Reverend Nats Hard CIder; Anderson Valley Brewing Company; Einstok; Venice Duck Brewery; Frozen Beer; Mendocino Brewing Company; Mission Brewery; Telegraph Brewing; Crabbie's Ginger Beer; Crabbie's Orange Spiced; Kronenbourg Blanc 1664; Oskar Blues; and Coronado Brewing Company. Live music throughout the day by Rey Fresco, Dr. M and Petty Theft, the ultimate Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers tribute band. A great place to expand your mind and educate yourself on new and old styles of craft beer! Space is very limited; must be 21 years or older to attend. (Note: Beer Sampling times are from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.).
Guitarist Tab Benoit (pictured) heads Sunday's stellar Blues & BBQ Festival lineup. Also performing; Gary Hoey; Trampled Under Foot; Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds; Michael John & The Bottom Line; Jonathan "Boogie" Long.
Sunday, September 21: BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL
Sunday's Blues & BBQ Festival features perhaps the most ambitious and eclectic lineup yet, in addition to amazing barbecue from top teams throughout California (special tickets must be purchased for BBQ sampling).
Headlining the main stage is guitarist Tab Benoit, Louisiana’s No. 1 roots export. More than just an acclaimed bluesman, he is an indefatigable conservation advocate. Benoit is a driving force behind Voice of the Wetlands, an organization working to save Louisiana’s wetlands. In 2010, he received the Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. Benoit also starred in the iMax motion picture Hurricane on the Bayou, a documentary of Hurricane Katrina’s effects and a call to restore the wetlands. In 2007, Benoit won the dual awards of B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Best Contemporary Male Performer at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis (formerly the W.C. Handy Awards). In 2006, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues. Benoit's latest album, his seventh on the Telarc label, is titled Medicine. http://www.tabbenoit.com/.
World-renowned, rock guitarist Gary Hoey takes on the Blues with his new album, Deja Blues (Wazoo Music Group). "This is an album of original blues songs I’ve wanted to record for a long time. The blues has always been near and dear to my heart," states Hoey. "I have so much respect for it. When I’m recording a blues song, it’s a five-minute journey and you can’t take a breath, you can’t keep punching in the recording button to fix stuff or it loses the vibe.” To this day the guitar aficionado continues to tour extensively, endorsing Fender guitars and Amps, Monster cable, GHS Strings, and Rocktron to name a few. Hoey has toured and traded licks with the likes of Jeff Beck, Brian May of Queen, Joe Bonamassa, Ted Nugent, Joe Satriani, The Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, Styx, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Peter Frampton, and Dick Dale. http://garyhoey.com/.
Trampled Under Foot was originally formed as a family band consisting of Danielle, Nick and Kris Schnebelen. The trio headed to Memphis in 2008 for the IBC's, winning first place honors. Riding the wave of support following the IBC's, TUF took their unique style of power blues-rock to audiences around the world. After a series of headlining tours and standout performances at blues festivals across the globe, TUF earned the reputation as one of the hottest bands on the blues circuit. While their fan base grew world-wide, the trio released multiple CDs and DVDs under their own label, TUF Records, including 2011's highly-acclaimed Wrong Side of the Blues. The success of that album caught the attention of many throughout the music industry and in 2013 the band partnered with Concord Music Group to release their major label debut, Badlands. Hailed by fans and critics alike, Badlands revealed a musical sophistication well beyond the band’s years and provided further proof that Trampled Under Foot was the real deal. In 2014, after brother Kris announced he was leaving the band, Danielle and Nick solicited long-time friend/fellow KC musician Jan Faircloth to join them on drums. The addition of Faircloth inspired TUF to make other lineup changes; the group then added keyboardist Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic, turning the trio in to a four-piece and adding a new dimension to their already-stellar live performances. http://www.tufkc.com/.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds is a seven-piece powerhouse that put a modern spin on classic soul. The band is led by Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow), whose astoundingly powerful voice and sly demeanor make for a spellbinding presence onstage. She is backed by the mighty force of The Dirty Birds, a flock of seven men who masterfully lay down thundering grooves and soaring melodies. While each of the Birds are capable of lighting up the stage with jaw-dropping displays of musicianship, it’s clear they’re all focused on delivering the band’s infectious music as a single entity. Simply put, the band’s live show is explosive. Sister Sparrow’s commanding style alone is more than enough to dazzle audiences, but the magic doesn’t end with her: the band’s palpable camaraderie, undeniable talent and passion for music makes for a contagious combination that is taking the country by storm. Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds’ blend of seductive soul and dirty blues-rock reminds audiences why they love live music. http://www.sistersparrow.com/.
Southern California native Michael John and his band, The Bottom Line, have earned their spot in the Blues scene. This six-piece, high-energy contemporary original blues band has played at many Festivals, concert theaters and venues such as The Doheny Blues Festival, Monterey Bay Blues Festival, BB King's Blues Club, Galaxy Theater, Coach House, and Ventura Theater. They have shared the bill with Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, The Robert Cray Band, Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Coco Montoya, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robben Ford, John Hammond, Bobby Blue Bland, Solomon Burke, Rod Piazza and Tommy Castro to name a few. Michael John's strong, soulful vocals are without a doubt his main instrument while also supporting the groove with a style all his own on harmonica and rhythm Guitar. Their music has received positive feedback and airplay on blues stations throughout the U.S. http://michaeljohnandthebottomline.com/.
Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jonathon “Boogie” Long was born with the blues coursing through his veins. Brought up in a Southern Baptist community, he first picked up the guitar at the age of six, teaching himself old gospel songs. At fourteen, Long left school to lay down his roots touring with local legends such as Henry Turner Jr. Since then, Long has shared the stage with standout musicians like Warren Haynes and Govt. Mule, Dr. John, Rockin’ Dopsie, Monte Montgomery, Ellis Hall, Kenny Neal, Larry Garner, Henry Gray, Lil Ray Neal, and Lou Marini of the Blues Brothers Band. Long currently fronts his own blues/soul trio, The Blues Revolution. His soul-stomping vocals and monster guitar shredding, paired with bluesy songwriting chops, make his powerhouse performances a “must see.” In 2013, Long was tapped by B.B. King to support his four-week tour. He was also given a prime slot at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Long's debut record was released in April of 2013. http://jonathonboogielong.com/.
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