by David Rodwin
The inaugural Women in Blues Festival launches May 13–14 in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Featuring over a dozen powerhouse women, it is free to the public. In a genre once defined by the great blues divas, women are now a small percentage of the musicians on stage. But their voices are vital to both continuing the tradition and writing the blues anew in their own image.
Festival founder Colleen Buyers said, “This festival is about to be powerful, and unlike any other. Bring your girlfriends, bring your daughters, bring the whole family. It’s inspiring for both girls and boys to see strong women onstage.”
As musician Lala Craig describes her favorite compliments after performing: “when a young woman says to me, you’re what I want to be when I grow up’—that gives me chills … And my absolute favorite is when an older woman says, I had a dream that I quit pursuing—and now that I see you, it makes me want to pursue it.”
The team organizing the festival includes renowned blues musician Libby Rae Watson, Ground Zero Blues Club booking manager Tameal Edwards and Shared Experiences founder Colleen Buyers. Shared Experiences’ Live From Clarksdale project has produced over 400 live broadcasts, which still reach people in over 30 countries across all 6 continents each week.
Artists at the festival include: Libby Rae Watson, Lady Australia “Honeybee” Jones Neal, Lady Trucker, Miss Gladys with Big T, Queen Iretta & Johnie B. Sanders, Edna Nicole, Lala Craig, Heather Crosse in Heavy Suga and the Sweet Tones, Ghalia Volt, Prayer Bailey with Lightnin’ Malcolm, Shy & Bill Howl-n-Madd Perry, Alabama Blues Queen DieDra Ruff, and Anissa Bigg Sexy Hampton—all together on ONE stage.
There will be a VIP Party on Thursday, May 12, followed by a Women’s Jam Night at Ground Zero Blues Club. On Friday, May 13 (4–8 pm) and Saturday, May 14 (noon–8 pm), all performances will be outdoors (weather permitting) and free to the public.
WHAT: Women In Blues
WHEN: May 13-14 – May 13 (4-8pm) & May 14 (12-pm-8pm).
WHERE: 121 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614
HOW MUCH: FREE
VIP Party Tix: https://tinyurl.com/WIB-VIP-Party
MORE INFO: www.WomenInBlues.org
