The 411 on Baton Rouge Blues Fest

We are just a day away from the 20th annual Baton Rouge Blues Festival. But the festivities actually begin tonight with a Live After Five performance from Jonathon “Boogie” Long at North Boulevard’s Town Square, as well as a Rent Party at Prince Hall Masonic Temple.

As we get closer to the festival, more news keeps coming, making this year’s event one of the biggest yet.

This morning, the festival announced American Routes will record seven performances Saturday for an upcoming program this fall. The show is produced in New Orleans with Tulane University and distributed by Public Radio Exchange. The program, which airs locally on WRKF 89.3 FM Saturdays at 7 p.m., is heard nationally each week on 300 stations by an audience of millions.

Backstage at the Blues Fest chair and Baton Rouge Blues Foundation board member Clarke Gernon says to be highlighted by American Routes is “a huge honor, as well as being a real opportunity for us to get exposure on a national level.”

On Saturday, the festival will have three stages of music as well as a backstage interview series and lobby performances at the Old State Capitol, food vendors and an arts market. Of Moving Colors, the local contemporary dance theater company, will also perform a special routine in Town Square. If you’re worried about parking downtown, Bike Baton Rouge will provide free valet bike parking at Town Square all day Saturday.

Check out 225‘s full coverage of Baton Rouge Blues Festival below.

ARTIST INTERVIEWS:
2014 People to Watch: Kenny Neal
Dr. John
Brother Dege

BLUES FEST WEEKEND
Friday
Live After Five at North Boulevard’s Town Square. The free concert series features a performance from Jonathon “Boogie” Long. 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Rent Party at Prince Hall Masonic Temple with an intimate performance from Brother Dege & The Brethren. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40. 1339 North Blvd.

Saturday
2014 Baton Rouge Blues Festival. Three stages across downtown Baton Rouge, kicking off with a performance from students and faculty from Baton Rouge Music Studios at 11:15 a.m. at the Swamp Blues Stage. Other performers include Lil Buck Senegal, Black Pistol Fire, Black Joe Lewis, Kenny Neal with Henry Gray and Dr. John & The Nite Trippers. See a full lineup and schedule.

Tabby’s Blues Box after party. Chris Thomas King and friends perform at Hartley/Vey Studio at Manship Theatre at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Sunday
Brunch at Capital City Grill. Kenny Acosta performs on the patio. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday in the Park. Bluesman Larry Garner performs at the free concert series in North Boulevard’s Town Square. 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Hear the 2014 Baton Rouge Blues Festival playlist: