After the River Cities' Reader's official guide to the 2013 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival went to press, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society announced that the festival was being moved from LeClaire Park to Second Street in downtown Davenport because of flooding:
Mississippi Valley Blues Festival organizers have finalized the site for the July 4-6 event in downtown Davenport. The 29th Mississippi Valley Blues Festival will take place on Second Street. Bandshell acts will perform on an east-facing stage near Ripley Street. Tent Stage acts will perform in the courtyard area just east of the River Music Experience at Second and Main. BlueSKool will be held on the River Music Experience's Community Stage, and workshops and the photo exhibit will be held in the River Music Experience's upstairs Exhibit Hall.
2013 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival Schedule
July 4-7 • Downtown Davenport
(Links for stages and workshops go to artist biographies. Links on individual artists go to interview articles.)
Thursday, July 4
Bandshell
3 p.m.: Selwyn Birchwood Band
5 p.m.: Howard & the White Boys
7 p.m.: Eddie "Devil Boy" Turner & the Trouble Twins
9 p.m.: Chris O'Leary Band
11 p.m.: Walter Trout
Tent
4 p.m.: Kevin "B.F." Burt
6 p.m.: Joe & Vicki Price
8 p.m.: Davina & the Vagabonds
10 p.m.: Southern Hospitality with Victor Wainwright, J.P. Soars, & Damon Fowler
Free Workshops
2:30 p.m.: Kevin Burt & Hal Reed
4 p.m.: Chris O'Leary (harp)
5:30 p.m.: Victor Wainwright (keyboard)
Friday, July 5
Bandshell
3 p.m.: Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge Finals
5 p.m.: Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama
7 p.m.: Samantha Fish
9 p.m.: Anthony Gomes
11 p.m.: Mighty Sam McClain
Tent
4 p.m.: Winter Blues AllStars
6 p.m.: Scottie Miller
8 p.m.: Dee Alexander
9:45 p.m.: RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award presented to John Primer
10 p.m.: John Primer
Free Workshops
2:30 p.m.: David Horwitz (blues photography)
4 p.m.: Scottie Miller (keyboard)
5:30 p.m.: John Primer
BlueSKool
3:30 p.m.: David Berntson (free harmonicas and lessons for all kids)
4:45 p.m.: Kevin Burt
6 p.m.: Winter Blues Kids with Ellis Kell & Hal Reed
Saturday, July 6
Bandshell
3 p.m.: Reverend Raven & the Chain-Smokin' Altar Boys
5 p.m.: Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge winners
7 p.m.: The 44s
9 p.m.: W.C. Clark
11 p.m.: Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Tent
4 p.m.: Chris Avey & Detroit Larry Davison
6 p.m.: Toby Walker
8 p.m.: Ironing Board Sam & Ardie Dean
10 p.m.: C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band
Free Workshops
2:30 p.m.: Toby Walker
4 p.m.: The 44s (harp and guitar)
5:30 p.m.: Ironing Board Sam & Ardie Dean
BlueSKool
3:30 p.m.: David Berntson (free harmonicas and lessons for all kids)
4:45 p.m.: Kevin Burt
6 p.m.: Winter Blues Kids with Ellis Kell & Hal Reed
Photo Exhibit
The 16th-annual photo exhibit will be open from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, through Saturday, July 6.
Ticket Information
Advance tickets for the 2013 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival are on sale at Hy-Vee stores in the Quad Cities, Clinton, and Muscatine. Tickets are also available at The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf, Rascal's in Moline, and at the Mississippi Valley Blues Society office at 102 South Harrison Street in Davenport. Please call ahead for the MVBS office: (563)322-5837. The price of an advance single-day ticket for the fest is $15.50 at Hy-Vee stores and $15 at other locations.
Tickets are also available for purchase online (MVBS.org) for $15 each plus a $2 service fee per order.
Advance tickets are available through June 30.
Individual fest tickets at the gate will cost $20 each day.
Children 14 and under will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
A Word from the MVBS President
Greetings from the offices of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, and welcome to our 29th-annual blues festival! This year yours truly happens to be one of the folks who's been here for all of the 28 other festivals and, yeah, as with my children, I can't believe how the time passes so quickly. My two daughters even worked this festival as volunteers when they were so little that we sat them on phone books so they could see over the counter and sell beer tokens.
One of those daughters, in California now for several years, treasures dearly her autograph from John Hammond, one of the many legends who have come to play here at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. In those early years, we also had John Lee Hooker and Memphis Slim. In the middle years Joe Bonamassa and Susan Tedeschi. And I could go on and on. My point is that when you see one of our T-shirts proclaiming "Where Legends Come to Play," it's more than just a slogan. We here at the Mississippi Valley Blues Society have worked hard over the years to bring you a topnotch blues festival annually, and I hope you agree with that this year.
So stroll the grounds at beautiful LeClaire Park, take in the river view, patronize our vendors, visit the free workshops, take a look at our photo exhibit, and even take time to thank a volunteer - one of those people who help to make this festival not only possible but affordable. And take in as many artists as you can - for there's sure to be a future legend or two in there somewhere.
Steve Brundies
President, Mississippi Valley Blues Society
