This summer has got to be one of the weirdest summers and early fall seasons I have ever seen. Between the weather and the broken hearts floating around in those flood waters (mine included), it's not hard to understand why women are singing the blues.. except that some do it for the fun, sheer pleasure and the love of the genre.
Thanks to good friend and "sistah" on the right coast (girl, we are going to meet one of these days !), Michele Seidman (Michele and the Midnight blues) has got the second annual
Women in Blues Festival kicking off ticket sales on Sept 1, 2007!


Celebrate the Arts presents, the 2nd National Women in Blues Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina, November 2nd & 3rd on the lower level of the Water Street Parking Deck, over looking the Cape Fear River. The Festival not only brings in women blues artists from all over the country, its ticket profits benefit many women's charities including; domestic violence, Rape Crisis, CARE of UNCW, and the Full Belly Project.

This year's headliners are well-known to blue's lovers worldwide. Friday night, November 2nd features the Georgia Songbird and six time Blues Music Award nominee, EG Kight. Her music has hit Billboard charts and has shared the stage with Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, Phoebe Snow, and Merle Haggard.

Saturday night, November 3rd headliner is Deanna Bogart,- fresh from the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue- with Tommy Castro Band, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Magic Dick also on stage. Nominated as Best Instrumentalist for the 2007 Blues Music Awards, Deanna will be appearing with The Deanna Bogart Band.

Blues women from around the country will appear on this Festival's stage, including artists from the West Coast like Lara Price and Laura Chavez, Suzanne Thomas and the Blues Church and the Queen of Steam, Michele Lundeen. Other artists include NYC solo artist Sarah Lemieux, Big Red & the Soul Benders, Robin Rogers (finalist in the 2004 International Blues Challenge), Patty Benson, The Grit Pixies, Chicago's Juke Joint Judy and the region's Grandmother of Blues, Rose Lucas. . A international surprise this year is Sophie Kay from France. Check the website for further updates.

There will be a compilation CD in conjuction with JoMar Records-featuring Sandy Atkinson, Julie Black, Kelly Dees, Nicole Hart Band, Michele Lundeen, Pat Hunter, Sophie Kay, Patty Benson, Andrea Marr, Octavia, Laura Price Band, Michele & The Midnight Blues, Peggy Ratusz, Suzanne Thomas & the Blues Church, Gina Sicilia, and Sarah Lemieux. This CD will be on sale at the festival and available on line through JoMor Record and their distributors!
To sample the artists music check our friends list at www.myspace.com/nationalwomeninblues

Tickets will be available through the web site starting September 1st, 2007 ($20 each night or $30 for the weekend pass). For blues lovers and music fans of every age, this is an event not to miss. For more information go to www.NationalWomenInBlues.com, where you will find more on the line-up and direct contact information, or you can email Wilmywoodmayor@aol.com .












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