Get ready for blues at its best this weekend. The 6th Annual Westport Blues Festival will be staged on the grounds of the Westport Inn in the Marina District this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5, 6 and 7. It’s an under cover rain or shine affair, so don’t let the weather keep you away. A dozen great acts will perform and you’ll even get to enjoy a bonus blues jam dance on Saturday night.
The Westport Inn is located at 2501 N. Nyhus St. There is ample free parking in the lots right across the street.
Andy “Badd Dog” Koch is this year’s Master of Ceremonies. He will keep the show moving between acts and play as a special guest with Westport’s own Catch of the Day.
Along with great musical entertainment, festivalgoers will enjoy a beer garden, food booths, merchandise vendors and the availability of full color and black and white 2014 official festival T-shirts, all located on the festival grounds.
The line-up
Friday, Sept. 5
Four acts will kick off the festival Friday, with the Blues Bentley Band performing from 2-3 p.m., followed by Mercedes Nicole onstage from 4-5:30 p.m. The Linda Myers Band takes over in the 6-7:30 p.m. slot, with Friday night’s headliner, the Kim Archer Band, performing from 8-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Saturday kicks off with a Harmonica Workshop with the event’s main sponsor, Lee Oskar from 10 a.m. to noon. Four more performers, including Catch of the Day with Andy “Badd Dog” Koch, the Fabulous Roof Shakers, Rafael Tranquilino and Brian Lee and the Orbiters will entertain you continuously on Saturday from noon to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s headliner, Lady ‘A’, takes the stage at 8 p.m. and will perform until 9:30 p.m.
Saturday dance
There’s also a blues jam dance Saturday night hosted by the Blues Bentley Band from 10 p.m. to midnight The dance is free to festival ticket holders. Bring your instrument and join in!
Sunday Sept 7
Sunday’s performances start at noon with Blues County Sheriff, followed by Sunday’s headliner, Claudette King, the youngest daughter of ultimate blues master B.B. King, performing from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
The Lee Oskar Harmonica Invitational Blow Off will close out the festival, from 3–4:40 p.m.
More to do
Need a break? Follow the Westport Inn trail to nearby Half Moon Bay to stretch your legs on the Pacific shore. Local restaurants and shops are also open, many offering Westport Blues Festival specials.
Festival tickets
Tickets are $50 for a three-day pass, including the Saturday night dance. You’ll pay $20 for Friday only, $30 for Saturday only, including the dance, and $15 for Sunday only. Purchase tickets in advance by going to www.westportblues.com or pay at the gate each festival day.
