This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, May 18, 2012 - The main events of the third annual Bluesweek Festival happen next week, with the primary focus on the free three-day Bluesweek Festival scheduled May 25-May 27 at Soldiers Memorial downtown. But don’t forget Bluesweek actually kicks off this Saturday with the Soulard Blues Cruise and continues Sunday with the All Star Blues Brunch.
The Soulard Blues Cruise features nine bands playing at nine venues this Saturday, May 19 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. To participate, buy a wristband for $10 (cash only) at any of the venues listed below, and show it to gain admittance to all nine participating clubs on the Blues Cruise. Shuttle service will take participants between venues during the event.
Here’s the lineup of clubs and bands:
BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Big Mike Aguirre and Chainsaw Dupont
1860s Saloon
Steve Pecaro
Hammerstone's
Uncle Albert
The Great Grizzly Bear
Harp Attack featuring Papa Ray, Johnny Diamond and Jim McClaren with Eugene & Company
Joanie's Pizzeria
Patti & The Hitmen
Old Rock House
Matt Hill & The Deep Fried 2 and Victor Wainright
Johnny's
Johnny Fox
Nadine's Gin Joint
Bumble Bee Bob Kamoske
The Shanti
Thunder Biscuit
The annual All Star Blues Brunch goes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Great Grizzly Bear, 1027 Geyer in Soulard. Tickets are $15 and include a full brunch and a jam session led by Bob “Bumblebee” Kamoske and the Stingers.