Those Summertime Blues..from Pittsburgh to West Virginia By Monica Yasher Pittsburgh, PA

Southwest Pennsylvania is a great place to be for summertime blues.
Last weekend was the Pittsburgh Blues festival (story coming August 7) and next week is the Heritage Music Bluesfest. These venues are only an hour and ½ away from each other, according to mapquest. So, Pittsburgh, are ready for the blues again?!

This is the 9th year for the Heritage Music Bluesfest and takes place over 3 days from August 7 to August 9. You can hear the blues at The Heritage Port Amphitheater, Wheeling, WV 26003, which is right next to the river in Wheeling. It is really a nice atmosphere, especially at night with the stars and water and….the blues! Children under age 10 are admitted to the festival free and get a wristband as long as they are accompanied by an adult. For you adults, to get your wristband that allows you to come and go as you please from the festival, here is the ticket information that you need (any guesses on what colors will be used on what days? Sorta fun game to play don’t ya think?):

Tickets purchased in advance are only offered in weekend passes.
The cost of prepurchased weekend passes are $55.00 and will increase in price to $60.00 at the gate. Daily passes are available for purchase the day of the show for $25.00 up to a capacity crowd of 5000 people. The festival has not sold out yet. But, you never know!



Weekend VIP passes prebought at $95.00. If not prepurchased, the cost is $100.00 at the gate. The advantages to the VIP pass are:
Festival style seating in the amphitheater area
A logo camp chair, Bluesbag Tote, Tshirt or hat is yours for the keeping
After jam entry for 3 nights at local establishments

BACKSTAGE VIP passes are $300.00 at any time and will get you:
Everything the VIP pass offers plus
Backstage access
Tented side stage seating
Self serve water, soda and beer
Daily meals provided by on site vendors

If you are coming out of town, there are many hotel options for you to consider. However, the bluesfest hotel packages are sold out. You need to purchase hotel and festival tickets ala carte. For accommodations take a peek here.

Here's their great lineup!

FRIDAY - 8/07/09
5:00 pm ............................................ Eden Brent
6:30 pm ............................................ John Nemeth
8:00 pm ............................................ The Soul Of John Black
9:30 pm ............................................ Elvin Bishop

SATURDAY - 8/08/09
Noon ................................................. IBC Solo / Duo Winner
1:00 pm ............................................ Mikey Jr.
2:30 pm .............................................David Jacobs Strain
4:00 pm ............................................ Delta Highway
5:30 pm .............................................Saffire the Uppity Blues Women
7:00 pm .............................................Ronnie Baker Brooks
8:30 pm ............................................ Walter Trout
10::00 pm .......................................... Bobby Rush
SUNDAY - 8/09/09
1:00 pm ............................................ IBC Band Winner
2:30 pm ........................................... Moreland & Arbuckle
4:00 pm ........................................... Ruthie Foster
5:30 pm ............................................Magic Slim & the Teardrops
7:00 pm ........................................... Sonny Landreth
8:30 pm ........................................... The Fabulous Thunderbirds

What a great lineup! If you go, look me up on Saturday and Sunday. I have a good many interviews scheduled, which includes Kim from the Fabulous Thunderbirds! I will also be speaking with Delta Highway, 2009 Blues Music Awards for Best New Debut Artist. Check them out:



You may also like to read about the Pittsburgh Blues Festival.
Copyright © 2009 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.