Sun Prairie Blues Festival is This Saturday
All-Star Lineup Highlights Local Talent
The Sun Prairie Lions Club will host its seventh annual Sun Prairie Blues Festival this Saturday, September 14 at Angel Park in Sun Prairie (Directions here). The event has moved to a better location inside the park. Things kick off at noon on the Cigarbox Stage while the main stage fires up at 1:10 PM.
This is one of the more affordable festivals around – $10 for 10 hours of blues music if purchased in advance at one of these locations:
- Beans and Cream Coffee House
- Cannery Wine and Spirits
- ComLink Computers
- All Madison area Park Banks
Tickets can also be purchased online here.
Tickets at the gate will be $15.
The lineup is especially strong with Walter “Wolfman” Washington leading the way. This New Orleans-based group was voted No. 1 Blues Band in 2012 in a New Orleans reader’s poll. Seeing Walter “Wolfman” Washington perform with his current outfit, the Roadmasters, is akin to taking a history lesson on black music in America with the exception that sitting down and taking notes is not an option. With his breadth of experience and seemingly endless repertoire, each of his highly danceable shows is one-of-a-kind. Like the greatest jazzmen, Washington channels his everyday life into his music. Depending on the setting, the band plays the blues, R&B, soul, funk, jazz and everything in between with pure heart.
Also appearing on the main stage will be Dave Specter who has earned an international reputation as one of the premier young talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the USA.
A variety of local acts will also be featured throughout the day. Below is the full schedule:
Cigarbox Stage:
Noon – 1 PM Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo
2:50 – 3:50 PM Paul Filipowicz
5:40 – 6:40 PM PurgAtory Hill (featuring Pat McDonald and Melaniejane)
Main Stage:
1:10 – 2:40 PM Kyle Henderson & Blue-Eyed Soul
4:00 – 5:30 PM The Velveetatones
6:50 – 8:20 PM Dave Specter & Sharon Lewis
8:30 – 10 PM Walter “Wolfman” Washington
As you can see, showtimes are staggered to allow festival goers to enjoy all the acts, each of which is worthy of the effort.