SATURDAY (NOV. 5): Sarasota Blues Fest keeps it fresh with Los Lobos, Ryan Shaw and much more

Here's my story on this year's awesomely eclectic lineup:

"Sarasota Blues Fest plays outside box"

Los Lobos, Ryan Shaw to headline Sarasota Blues Fest; competition for local band slot

Los Lobos to headline Sarasota Blues Fest/Publicity photo

One of the most acclaimed and eclectic bands of the past three decades, Los Lobos, will headline the  21st Annual Sarasota Blues Fest on Saturday, November 5 at Ed Smith Stadium. Young soul music sensation, Ryan Shaw, who could prove to be this year's Trombone Shorty, joins the multiple Grammy winners. Singer Shaun Murphy, best known for her work with Little Feat from 1993-2009, has also been confirmed. Child prodigy, Mike Imbasciani, with special guest and guitar sensation Alex Shaw, are performing as well.

Ryan Shaw/Publicity photo

In addition to the acts above, The Gator Club in Sarasota is hosting the free “Ticket To Blues Fest” event 9 p.m. Saturday, August 13. Local and regional bands will be competing for the last slot at the festival and cash prizes. The public is encouraged to participate and help pick the winner by voting for their favorite bands online (ourstage.com/go/sarasotaBluesFest - until July 25) and at the “Ticket To Blues Fest” live event. Artists selected to perform at the fest will be announced at the event and on www.sarasotabluesfest.com.

Tickets to the 21st Annual Sarasota Blues Fest go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 13th at sarasotabluesfest.com, The Gator Club and at Rossiter’s Harley Davidson. The festival gates open at 11 a.m. and music starting at noon. Tickets are $22 in advance and as always, all children free with paid adult admission. Partial proceeds from the fest have always been earmarked for charity. All Faiths Food Bank Backpack Program will be 2011’s recipient.

The Sarasota Blues Fest was started in 1991 by the Sarasota Blues Society and blossomed into the largest musical event in Sarasota under Barbara Strauss, a native of Sarasota who has produced the festival since 1993. She passed the torch to ExtremeTix and Three Zebras entertainment earlier this year. 

“A bunch of people tried to acquire the festival but when these people came it was truly a blessing for me and Sarasota,” Strauss told the Herald in June. “They will eventually be able to bring in bigger bands because they have so many more resources, but will also keep people involved in the community."

UPDATED 6/23: Sarasota Blues Fest sold to Texas company

UPDATED 6/23: Here's my interview with Barbara Strauss and president of new owners ExtremeTix:

"Sarasota Blues Fest sale is a smooth transition"

Sarasota Blues Fest Executive Producer Barbara Strauss has sold her popular music event to Texas-based ExtremeTix and its entertainment division Three Zebras.

Since 1991, Sarasota Blues Fest performers have included Gregg Allman, Solomon Burke, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Derek Trucks, Little Feat, Delbert McClinton and New Orleans native Trombone Shorty, who blew audiences away in November with his superb "supafunkrock."

“I am very excited to pass the torch to ExtremeTix and Three Zebras,” Strauss said in a statement. “I have been ready to move on to other projects for a long time. Finding a team as committed to blues and live music as ExtremeTix and Three Zebras is a dream come true for myself and Sarasota.”

Strauss, who grew the fest into Sarasota's largest annual music event, will continue in her role as executive producer of the festival this year, which takes place at Ed Smith Stadium on Nov. 5, and act as a consultant to future festivals.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner in the citizens of Sarasota and a visionary leader and live music producer of Barbara’s caliber,” reads the comment by Charly Garrett, president of ExtremeTix. “We’re looking forward to continuing the legacy of excellence and seek to provide Sarasota with enriching and engaging programming for years to come.”

Houston-based ExtremeTix lists Jannus Live in St. Petersburg among its long, diverse list of clients.

As for talent, the company has spent the past 30 years booking everybody from the Allman Brothers Band to ZZ Top. Here's ExtremeTix's "partial artist roster."