“The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival provides an excellent staycation for local residents and an affordable weekend getaway for our fellow Midwesterners recovering from the Flood of 2008," says Joe Taylor, president, Quad Cities Convention and Visitor's Bureau. “Now's the time to buy our tickets for three great days of world-class entertainment right here in our own backyard, and at the same time support this very dedicated group of volunteers who are working day and night to ensure this festival still goes on, not only for our enjoyment, but to fund its important music education programs in our schools and to give our downtown's economy a much needed boost."
According to the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival's economic benefit to the area is $2.5 million.
The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, July 3 - 5, will take place along 2nd Street in downtown Davenport, and will utilize the Adler Theater for a portion of the festivities. Artists scheduled to perform in LeClaire Park's bandshell will now play on the Main Stage at 2nd Street and Pershing, and the artists scheduled for the park's tent stage will now perform at the Adler Theater. Free workshops are scheduled for Kaiserslautern Square across 3rd street from the Adler, and BlueSKool will take place in the River Center corridor between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Event parking is available at the parking ramp on Brady Street between 2nd and 3rd streets, as well as at other parking ramps downtown.
“Planning a year's worth of logistics in one week has been a challenge for our troupe of volunteers and costly to our nonprofits budget, but we are pleased to keep our festival in downtown Davenport and truly appreciate both the Adler's and the City's assistance with our contingency plans," says Karen McFarland, IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival coordinator. “At 4 p.m. Thursday we will open the gates and be ready to welcome the masses to come dance in the streets of downtown Davenport. If you have never been to our festival in the past, this is the year to come - it will be a great time and our Blues Society education programs have never needed you more."
McFarland notes that many Iowa festivals have had to cancel portions of their event or find alternative locations. Burlington cancelled a portion of its Steamboat Days, Cedar Rapids has cancelled some of its opening events for Freedom Festival and Cedar Falls cancelled most of its Sturgis Falls events.
“Even though the festival will be in a different location, festival goers can expect the same great caliber of artists the Blues Society has been attracting for the last 23 festivals-and of course, the same great fun," McFarland continues.
Advance three-day passes are available for $40 and must be purchased before July 3. One-day tickets will be sold on site for a reduced price of $15. Children ages 14 and under will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket. Advance tickets may be purchased at all IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union branches, the festival's presenting sponsor, and at the River Center/Adler Theatre box office in Davenport, or through Ticketmaster. On-site ticket sales will be at the festival's main entry points located at 2nd Street and Brady Street, and just inside the River Center North walkway to the Adler Theater.
For 24 years, the IH Mississippi Blues Festival has attracted local, regional and national legendary blues acts, making it one of the most highly regarded blues festivals in the nation. Headliners for this year's festival include Koko Taylor, Elvin Bishop, Denise LaSalle, Otis Taylor and the Black Banjo Project, Billy Boy Arnold with Jody Williams and The Holmes Brothers, plus another 22 acts on two stages. For more information about the festival, artists and lodging, please visit mvbs.org or call 563-32-BLUES.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
