2014 Bradenton Blues Festival tickets selling quickly

   If you're planning on going to the third annual Bradenton Blues Festival and you don't have tickets yet, you might want to get them soon.

   Johnette Isham, the executive director of Realize Bradenton, which organizes the festival, said Thursday that only 10 VIP tickets remain for the Dec. 6 festival. General admission tickets are selling about 40 percent faster than they did for last year's event, she said, and that festival sold out.
   Regular tickets are $30 ($10 for children 12 and under, $25 apiece for people in groups of 10 or more). The VIP tickets, which include premium sets, food and and bar, are $250.
    Isham made her comments at an event at Darwin Brewing Co. in Bradenton to recognize the corporate and individual sponsors of the festival.
   The centerpiece of the event was the unveiling of the limited edition poster for this year's festival (shown here), which was created by Don Brandes of the Ringling College of Art and Design. The poster will be available for $30 at Keeton's Office & Art Supply, 817 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, starting Sept. 29.
  This year's Bradenton Blues festival features Marcia Ball, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Samantha Fish and many others, playing on the Bradenton Riverwalk. For information and tickets, go to bradentonbluesfestival.org,

Party celebrates second annual Bradenton Blues Festival

    The second annual Bradenton Blues Festival is still about seven weeks away, but music lovers and community leaders gathered at Tarpon Pointe Grill Thursday evening to celebrate its pending arrival.

GrandPre's original artwork

   Officially, the event was the Bradenton Blues Festival VIP Sponsor Party. Bankers, business leaders and blues fans buzzed about how great the inaugural event was and how much better it's going to be this year.
   "They did an incredible job last year," said Tom Carter, president of the Suncoast Blues Society. "And it's going to be even more incredible this year. The lineup is just fantastic."
   This year's blues festival is set for Dec. 7 on the Riverwalk. Headliners include Shemekia Copeland and Trampled Underfoot.
   "It's one of the best, most organized events I've ever been to," said Bill Cornelius, one of the owners of the Blue Rooster in Sarasota. "All the artists were real blues artists and the setting was absolutely beautiful."
   Cornelius has lived in Sarasota for about three years and said he discovered Bradenton through the blues festival last year. Now he's gearing up to open a brewery in Bradenton.
   One of the centerpieces of the party was the unveiling of the original artwork for this year's festival. It was created by Mary GrandPre, who's best known for illustrating the Harry Potter books.

Isham, Jack Sullivan of Blues Music
 magazine, Strauss

  The painting, which retains a similar central image from last year's artwork but with a different color palette, is bring auctioned off. Johnette Isham, the executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organizer of the blues festival, started the bidding at $1,500.
   "It's worth $30,000," she said.
   Probably no one in the area has more experience staging blues festivals than Barbara Strauss, the founder of the erstwhile Sarasota Blues Festival. She came to the party to show her support for Bradenton's festival.
   "When I show up for something it means I really want to support it," she said. "I think what they did was absolutely brilliant, fantastic. They brought the community together."
   You can order tickets and get more information about the Bradenton Blues Festival at www.bradentonbluesfestival.org.


  

Sequester causes cancellation of concert in Bradenton

   So, you’re wondering exactly what effect this sequester thing will actually have on you? You probably didn't figure concerts would be canceled, but that's what's happening.
   The Coast Guard Band has canceled its tour of the southern United States, including a planned stop at Bradenton’s Riverwalk on Saturday, March 9.
   A Coast Guard official told Realize Bradenton, the organization behind the Music in the Park series, that the band delayed announcing the cancellation until today in hopes that the sequester would be averted, and now that the sequester is in effect the Coast Guard has to save its money for more important things.
   So, no Coast Guard Band for us, but the Music in the Park series goes on. It starts tonight (Friday, March 1) with the Marc Mannino Jazz Quartet, and continues next week with the David Smash Band. Smash, we’re told, placed second in the Lithuanian version of America’s Got Talent, and plays early rock ‘n’ roll and blues.
  All the Music in the Park concerts run 6-8 p.m. and they’re all free. They're all on Fridays -- the Coast Guard Band concert was a rare exception. You can get more information on the series at realizebradenton.com.

Bradenton Blues Festival weekend starts today with free concert at Riverwalk

Kettle of Fish performs today during "Blues Appetizer Concert" at Bradenton Riverwalk.

It all begins today. Bradenton Blues Festival weekend. That means lots of awesome live music, a dazzling art exhibit and at least one killer party.

Oh yeah, many of these events are free.

For starters, famed performance photographer Joseph A. Rosen will be hosting a showing of his portraiture work at the Blues Revue magazine headquarters in the Village of the Arts at 1001 11th Ave. W.

The exhibit is today from 1-5 p.m. There will be images of B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Dr. John and many more greats. Information: 866-702-7778.

As for live music, festival producer Realize Bradenton, the nonprofit organization that played a key role in creating the renovated Riverwalk, kicks it off proper by offering the community a free preview to the festival this evening.

The "Blues Appetizer Concert" is 6-9 p.m. with performances by Tampa blues man Selwyn Birchwood Band and Sarasota blues-rockers Kettle of Fish, which features singer/songwriter Dana Lawrence, backed by a cast of equally impressive players including guitarist Berry Duane Oakley.

The group, one of the most popular in the Bradenton area, has opened for acts such as the Marshall Tucker Band, Eddie Money and Molly Hatchet.

Kettle of Fish will be performing originals this evening as well as deep tracks by Jimi Hendrix, Little Feat and some of those Allman Brothers Band songs originally featuring the brilliant bass guitar work of the senior Berry Oakley.

"We thrive on the big stage," Lawrence said. "Looking at the wide variety of the people out there is a thrill and you just thrive off it."

Read more.

—Publicity photo by Chris Hicklin of Kettle of Fish (from left): Todd Cook, Thorson Moore, Garrett Dawson, Berry Oakley, Dana Lawrence. Photo provided.

Bradenton Blues Festival poster by 'Harry Potter' illustrator Mary GrandPré unveiled

A limited-edition poster created exclusively for Realize Bradenton and the Bradenton Blues Festival by Mary GrandPré, the world-famous illustrator of the "Harry Potter" books and Sarasota resident, was unveiled at the Bradenton Blues Festival’s VIP sponsor party on Saturday. 
 
More than 200 people attended, including this reporter and Bradenton Herald publisher/president Bob Turner.

The event was held at the historic Jennings Arcade off Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton.    

Local blues musician Steve Arvey and vocalist Rebecca Bird performed while people mingled, sipped wine and noshed on appetizers provided by O’Bricks Grill. 

The Bradenton Blues Festival, featuring Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster and other national acts,  is Dec. 1 at the redesigned Riverwalk, along the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton.

GrandPré’s editorial work and children’s book illustrations have received national recognition. She was featured on the cover of Time magazine for her illustrations for the acclaimed "Harry Potter" book series. 

“The Bradenton Blues Festival and its music outreach programs are inspired ways to educate young people about the importance of music," GrandPré said in a statement. "I'm really excited that I can contribute to this important effort."

Posters signed by the artist are available for $50 to support Realize Bradenton’s youth and music programs. To inquire email johnette@RealizeBradenton.com.

Bradenton voted No. 2 best small city for arts

Visitors to Bradenton's Village of the Arts check out a sidewalk display of art outside the Divine Excess gallery during Friday's Art Walk. PAUL VIDELA/pvidela@bradenton PVIDELA@BRADENTON.COM

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/05/04/4026512/art-walk-at-bradentons-village.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

The Friendly City continues to grow in popularity with readers of AmericanStyle Magazine.

Survey participants voted Bradenton the second best small city arts destination in the country, up from No. 10 last year and No. 22 in 2010.

“This confirms the great collaboration we have and the public support for arts in their community," said Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton. “It’s just an incredible recognition of the community."

She cited the collaborative work being done with her non-profit organization, elected city officials, Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as cultural partners such as the Manatee Players, ArtCenter Manatee and the Village of the Arts.

"Bradenton, a sunny locale 45 miles south of Tampa, may not be on your radar for arts destinations yet, but it should be," reads the opening sentence of the blurb on page 66 of the new summer edition of AmericanStyle. "It's home to Florida's largest art colony, the Village of the Arts."

No other Bradenton attractions are mentioned. 

On page 63, the Baltimore-based publication notes that "Rosie Stewart of Bradenton, Fla., is the lucky reader who was randomly selected to win a $500 gift card  for voting in AmericanStyle's 15th annual Top 25 Arts Destinations poll."

Stewart commented on why she selected her hometown.

"Eclectic and creative artists and crafters abound in this community," her statement reads. "It seems like there's always something new to check out!"

Sarasota ranked No. 1, up from fifth place last year.

Other small Florida cities in the Top 25 are Key West (4) and Naples (9).

St. Petersburg finished first among "mid-size" cities for the second year in a row, while Tampa placed third in the same category. Miami ranked No. 7.

The top three "big cities" for the arts according to American Style readers are New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago.

The sole Florida city on the list, Jacksonville, is No. 15.

This is the 15th year the magazine has released its survey of readers.

AmericanStyle has a print circulation of 125,000, according to its 2011 media kit, and can be read online at www.americanstyle.com.

“The crowning jewel of this incredible recognition will be the opening of the Manatee Performing Arts Center next March,” Isham said.

Bradenton No. 10 best small city for arts

UPDATED 10/17: PHOTOS/VIDEOS: ArtSlam in Bradenton

UPDATED 10/17: "ArtSlam in 3 Minutes"

Find yourself!

Nearly a thousand photos/videos from ArtSlam, the Realize Bradenton event that took place Saturday on Old Main Street.

All photos/video  courtesy of Realize Bradenton by Mitch Jackson.

Read my interviews with organizers from Realize Bradenton.

From Herald reporter Richard Dymond's story "ArtSlam Rocks Downtown Bradenton"

It seemed everyone had their favorite ArtSlam team Saturday.

“You’ve got to go see the kids drawing in chalk,” said ArtSlam board member Michele Redwine, referring to “Little Chalkers,” the brainchild of Denise Kowal, producer of the Sarasota Chalk Festival.

Little Chalkers was one of 15 teams that strutted its stuff from 3 to 11 p.m. on Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton, a volcanic blast of art that drew about 500 fans and more than 100 artists.

Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/10/16/3571527/artslam-rocks-downtown-bradenton.html#storylink=omni_popular#ixzz1azap33If

Realize Bradenton launches Downtown Matters blog

Realize Bradenton, the non-profit organization that attracts people to downtown through creative collaborations, has launched the nifty new blog Downtown Matters.

Executive Director Johnette Isham writes:

Its upbeat promotions and community events create “More Buzz, More People, More Prosperity” for downtown Bradenton.

The Downtown Matters blog is big, bold, and fun!  Easy to read and navigate, it contains lots of visuals, and ideas – ranging from local perspectives and history to other cities’ factoids and best practices. Guest bloggers include citizens, leaders, artists, historians, and high school and college students.

Downtown Matters explores how arts, culture, and history promote economic development and citizen dialog. Updates include Bradenton’s $6.2 Riverwalk and Art Connects postings from high school and college students who studied their city’s history and reflected on the future of the community using words, paintings, & computer graphics.  This three-year innovative project is funded by the Knight Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation.

To receive the Downtown Matters blog visit www.DowntownMattersBlog.com and click on "Email Subscription" in upper right.

Festival sARTee dates and deadline announced

The next Festival sARTee will take place October 8 through 23, with many activities happening in and around downtown Bradenton.

Festival sARTee welcomes local and regional artists to participate by submitting an application for events and programs.

Applications for participation in sARTee are available at sartee.com and are due by April 15, 2011.

Sartee is the wrap around festival for the Ringling International Festival.

Last year there was not a selective application process.

This year's sARTee will again run concurrently with the Ringling International Arts Festival, which takes place Oct. 11 through 16 in Sarasota.

Click for the third annual RIAF lineup, announced March 7.

Realize Bradenton is coordinating the sARTee applications from downtown Bradenton organizations, schools and non-profits. The Manatee County Cultural Alliance is coordinating the applications from all other Manatee venues outside downtown Bradenton. For Sarasota County, contact the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

About sARTee:

The Festival sARTée expands the energy and excitement of the Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF), in Sarasota-Manatee Counties showcases the region’s world-class arts and culture ranging from theatre, dance, music, visual art, live music, circus arts and more in a variety of venues throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties.  Festival sARTée derives its name from both Sarasota and Manatee Counties, joined by the common element of art. The counties are situated along Florida’s west coast.  Festival sARTée is organized through a partnership between the Arts Council of Manatee County, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Realize Bradenton, Inc., Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Sarasota County Arts Council.

Read about last year's sARTee Soiree: "Manatee Players shine at festival’s closing Soiree."