Oxford Blues Festival
OXFORD, Miss. – The 4th Annual Oxford Blues Festival will be held July 18-20 at the Library Bar & Grill and on the grounds of the Walton-Young House in Oxford.
This year’s festival lineup features legendary Johnny Winter, Big George Brock, Reba Russell and other blues artists from across the state.
“North Mississippi has a really rich blues heritage, but it doesn’t get as much attention as Chicago or the Delta,” said festival director Darryl Parker. “This festival is just a way to bring some attention to the North Mississippi music scene. Good music, fun with family and friends … it’s just a reason to celebrate.”
The festival has partnered with the Exchange Club Family Center to raise awareness of sexual abuse of children in the Lafayette-Oxford-University community, and STAN the Bear will be on site to take pictures with children.
Johnny Winter will kick off the festival at the Library Bar & Grill on Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
At noon on Friday (July 19), the University of Mississippi Museum will host three blues panel discussions for individuals wanting to broaden their knowledge of blues music. DeWayne Moore, University of Mississippi history doctoral candidate, will moderate the discussions, which will cover Mississippi blues tourism, scholars and musicians.
“The University of Mississippi Museum is thrilled to be a host venue for the 2013 Oxford Blues Festival,” said museum director Robert Saarnio. “As an institution which celebrates the arts and culture of North Mississippi in our exhibitions and programs, our continuing partnership with the festival is a great fit for us and the Museum’s audiences.”
Other featured artists include Elmore Williams, Hezekiah Early, Alphonso Sanders, J.J. Callier & the Zydeco Knockouts, David Evans, Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, The Reviews, Cadillac Funk, Silas Reed & da Books, Adam Gussow and Shine Turner.
Ticket information is available on the festival website: http://oxfordbluesfest.com. Discounted tickets are available for those who purchase tickets early. Coolers are permitted (NO GLASS: ICE CHESTS WILL BE CHECKED FOR GLASS), and food vendors will sell barbeque and fried catfish. For information about sponsorship and donations, email Darryl Parker at jdparker@oxfordbluesfest.com.
The University Museum is at the intersection of University Avenue and Fifth Street. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. For more information, visit http://museum.olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7073.