| Mark Wendel photos
"Layin' Low" (top) and "The Nightcrawlers" at C & C Loft and Lounge. |
ST. MARYS -- The K.C. Geiger Park Committee kicked off promotion of its 2009 fund-raising campaign Sunday, February 22, 2009 at C&C Loft and Lounge, 223 East Spring Street.
Sunday's event was the first in a series of three Blues Challenge Showcases featuring area blues bands. On stage Sunday were Layin' Low and The Nightcrawlers.
Both bands featured impressive lead guitarists, with Chip Brogan playing for "Layin' Low" and Brett Mullins for "Nightcrawlers." Mullins summed up interest in the genre from the stage: "Blues is the root of our most popular music. If you like rock and roll, thank the blues. If you like jazz, thank the blues. If you like country, thank the blues."
"We saw two strong contenders today," Showcase organizer Dean Axe commented after Sunday's performances.
Two more showcases are scheduled: March 22 at Varsity Lanes Bowling Alley in St. Marys, and April 19 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Lima. Bands appearing in the Blues Challenge Showcases will compete to become the opening acts on the two days of the annual Labor Day weekend Riverside Bluesfest. Judging will take place in a five-band playoff at the St. Marys Eagles Aerie 767 on May 3.
In a related story, at its Monday, February 23 meeting the St. Marys City Council approved a resolution allowing sale of beer at K.C. Geiger Park during this year's Riverside Bluesfest. The annual music festival is held on Labor Day weekend, this year scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6.
The KC Geiger Park Committee is a private, non-profit component group under the St. Marys Community Foundation. It was started in 1993 by St. Marys residents who were concerned about maintenance issues at the park. A sub-committee called the St. Marys Blues Guild was formed by the Park Committee to plan the Bluesfest. It is also staffed by volunteers.
"We're the same people who started the Duck Race as a fund raiser for the park," Park Committee President Rees McKee stated. "We decided to move on to the blues festival as our major fundraiser, because it takes place in the park, and because we like the music. The reason for the Blues Challenge and other events like this is to encourage support from the community for the Bluesfest and, by extension, for KC Geiger Park."
Advance tickets for the Labor Day weekend festival are priced at $10 per day until Memorial Day, when the price goes to $15 per day. $10 tickets are currently available from St. Marys Blues Guild members.
"We hope people will come to the Bluesfest, of course," said Blues Guild member Chris Botkin. "But if they can't come to the shows, we're asking them to buy a ticket anyway, as a donation to the park. The KC Geiger Park Committee saves a lot of taxpayer dollars by funding mowing and improvement projects at KC Geiger Park, to the tune of more than $100,000 to date. We're trying to continue that, and give folks a great show, too."
A roster of 12 bands is planned for the two days of the Riverside Bluesfest, drawing blues talent from Chicago, California, Kansas City, Minneapolis and all around Ohio. Look for performers to be announced in future press releases.
For the latest Riverside Bluesfest news, visit www.stmarysblues.com.
