Waukesha BluesFest

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Carolyn Wonderland

press release:  The 12th Annual Waukesha Rotary BluesFest will be held on Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11, 2018 at beautiful Naga-Waukee Park, 1/2 mile north of Interstate 94 on Highway 83 in Delafield. Music runs from 1pm to 10:00pm each day, rain or shine, under a large music tent.

Waukesha Rotary BluesFest sadly shares the news that Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, 83, passed away Friday, June 1.  Eddy was scheduled to appear at Waukesha Rotary BluesFest on Saturday, August 11, 2018.  We would like to extend our sympathies to Eddy’s family and all of his fans following his loss.

The new Saturday co-headliner has now been confirmed, which is Jarekus Singleton.  At just 30 years old, Jarekus Singleton is a musical trailblazer with a bold vision for the future of the blues. Springing from the same Mississippi soil as Charley Patton, Muddy Waters and B.B. King, Singleton’s cutting-edge sound - equally rooted in rap, rock and blues traditions - is all his own. He melds hip-hop wordplay, rock energy and R&B grooves with contemporary and traditional blues, turning audiences of all ages into devoted fans. With his untamed guitar licks and strong, soulful voice effortlessly moving from ferocious and funky to slow and steamy to smoking hot, Singleton is a fresh, electrifying bluesman bursting at the seams with talent.

Friday: Rockonsin finalist 1 pm, Bootleg Bessie 2:30 pm, Spectaculars 4 pm, Hungry Williams 5:30 pm, Joe Louis Walker 7 pm, Carolyn Wonderland 8:45 pm.

Saturday: Fuzznuckle Blues Band 1 pm, Blues Disciples 2:30 pm, Laura Rain & the Caesars 4 pm, Harper & Midwest Kind 5:30 pm, Nikki Hill 7 pm, Jarekus Singleton 8:45 pm.

The entertainment at this year’s Waukesha Rotary BluesFest features Texas guitarist and vocalist, Carolyn Wonderland co-headlining with Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Lewis Walker on Friday, August 10.  Saturday, August 11 will showcase Singleton and New Orleans based blues-rock vocalist Nikki Hill.

Also featured on Friday night will be Milwaukee’s newly acclaimed purveyors of New Orleans Jump Blues, The Hungry Williams along with the area groups, The Spectaculars, Bootleg Bessie and a finalist band from the ROCKONSIN 2018 Youth Garage Band Competition.  Saturday’s line-up includes the return of Harper and Midwest Kind who feature a unique blend of blues and traditional Australian music, even adding the digeridoo to the mix of their music, and also Detroit R&B singer Laura Rain and The Caesars.  Milwaukee based band The Blues Disciples will light up the early Saturday afternoon stage following Waukesha-based Fuzznuckle Blues Band.

In addition to the great line-up of live music, Waukesha Rotary BluesFest features an exceptional selection of food from popular local restaurants, a full selection of beverages and an Art Show featuring regional and locally known artists.

Advance tickets for Waukesha Rotary BluesFest go on sale, May 1st at the discounted advance price of just $15 for one-day tickets and $25 for two-day tickets. Prices will increase leading up to the festival with prices at the gate set at $25 for a one-day ticket and $40 for a two-day ticket.  Parking and sales tax are included in all of the ticket prices.  Children age 8 and under are free with a paying adult. Tickets will be available May 1st online at www.waukeshabluesfest.com.  Tickets will also be available in person through August 9th at Almont Gallery in downtown Waukesha, all Waukesha State Bank locations and all White House of Music locations, and yes, you can purchase tickets at the gate during the festival.

Once again this year, Waukesha BluesFest is offering an “Elite Experience” seating option which will provide true music fans a front and center reserved seat.  These reserved seats are numbered and issued on a first come basis, and must be purchased separately for each day.  The tickets also include admission to the grounds, parking, sales tax, two complimentary beverages and a souvenir festival art poster which can be obtained at the Merchandise Tent. A limited number of Elite Experience tickets will be available for the price of $55 each day and also go on sale May1st.