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" So make sure your lawn chair is in good shape (we have one of those short-legged, fold-up types), and stock up on bug repellent (we recommend Skin So Soft from Avon). It's festival time. "
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By Norm Shaw
***Music Heritage Festival ***Blues on the Bluff ***Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival It's hotter than blue blazes. The mosquitoes are the size of Volkswagens. Your in the mood for music. All this can mean only one thing. It's festival time in the Delta. There's no doubt, this is best (and worst) time to live in Memphis. Sure, it's so hot it feels like the air is sucking the deodorant right off you. But the payback is great. And this year is no exception. In the next four weeks, three of the best festivals are slated: the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, part one of WEVL's Blues on the Bluff and the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in Clarksdale. So make sure your lawn chair is in good shape (we have one of those short-legged, fold-up types), and stock up on bug repellent (we recommend Skin So Soft from Avon). It's festival time. ***10th annual Heritage Fest shaping up to be the best The Center for Southern Folklore's heritage festival began in 1982 with the idea that it could become an annual event. From its modest start, it has grown to draw more than 100,000 people and feature more than 1,000 performers and artists. And this year's festival may well be the best yet. A stellar lineup leads the way for the 10th annual festival, which will take place on multiple stages and venues in Court Square and along the Main Street Mall on July 12, 13 and 14. There's everything from blues to rock to jazz to folk to world music to puppeteers. "Whether it's the blues of Beale Street, the rockabilly of Sun Studio or the soul of Stax Records, the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival is a three-day party that celebrates the best of Memphis and the Mid-South," says Judy Peiser, executive director of the Center for Southern Folklore and the festival producer. "The festival will present the rich musical heritage of Memphis and the region, which continues to draw visitors from around the globe." There's little doubt that this year's lineup is strong enough to attract folks from all over. The cream of Memphis music is being presented, often in inspired couplings or lineups. Consider the opening night, July 12. On the Gazebo Stage is an Art Rock Show featuring Mash-o-Matic, Cornfed, the Oblivians, Impala and others. At the same time Impala is on, the Hollywood All-Stars will be joined by Charlie Musselwhite on the Folklore Stage. Just to make it really a tough choice, Linda Gail Lewis will be wrapping up a strong night on the Heritage Stage. The next two nights are no different. Some of the more inspired pairings include: Joyce Cobb and Cool Heat teaming up with jazz greats Herman Green and Calvin Newborn. Just to mix it up, award-winning blues harmonica player Musselwhite will join them. They play at 6:15 p.m. July 13 on the Heritage Stage. Ann Peebles with Teenie Hodges & the Hi Rhythm Section, featuring the Hodges Family. This soulful pairing will play July 13 at 10:15 p.m. on the Heritage Stage. A dance extravaganza takes place July 14 on the Gazebo Stage at 5 p.m. There is a step show from [sigma] Gamma Rho and Alpha Phi Alpha, followed by Vietnamese dance and song, and finally dancers from the Choctaw nation. Marvell and Rufus Thomas closing the festival with special guest William Bell. The Thomases are local legends, and Memphis-native Bell continues his Grammy-winning style after more than 35 years in the business. "We're real excited about some of these pairings," Peiser says. "It is going to be unique." In addition to the music, there will be cooking demonstrations, all types of artisans, a children's area and "A Taste of the South" food court. Not to be missed, too, will be high-stepping majorettes, strolling bands and fife and drum corps each day at 5 and 7 p.m. Admission to all festival activities is free. ***Blues on the Bluff offers music and a view The eighth annual WEVL-FM 90 Blues on the Bluff serves up part one on July 20 at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. If you've never made it down to the museum for the annual show, you are missing one of Memphis' real gems. The Metal Museum sits high on the south bluffs, offering a view Mark Twain called the best between St. Louis and New Orleans. With a nice breeze and stellar sunset, the only thing that could make it better would be great music. That is easily supplied by the lineup for part one of BOB. Opening at 6 p.m. are annual favorites the Last Chance Jug Band. Led by musicologist David Evans, the Jug Band sets an easy tone. It will heat up quickly though when Joyce Cobb takes the stage at about 8 p.m. Blind Mississippi Morris, who is quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets in Memphis, closes the show. Admission is $6. Feel free to bring a lawn chair (and definitely bring bug spray), but leave the coolers and pets at home. There will be beer, soft drinks and food available. Proceeds from everything but the food (and a portion of it is donated) goes to the station, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary as Tennessee's only independent, listener-supported station. If you can't get to the first part, mark you calendar for part two, which will be Aug. 24 and feature Gutbucket, the Reba Russell Band and Big Lucky Carter and the Mighty Men of Sound. Both nights are guaranteed to be completely relaxing and rewarding. ***The Sunflower River Festival combines education and music. Clarksdale, Miss. is the home of the Delta Blues Museum, Rooster Blues Records and more legendary blues men than we care to mention. It also has become the home of one of the best blues festivals around. The Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival is one of the more low-key, down-home festivals around. And because of the museum and Rooster, it also is one of the best. This year, the first two days are given to education, with various workshops, exhibits and programs taking place July 31 and Aug. 1. On Friday, Aug. 2, the festival kicks into high gear. Each day offers something special. Consider: Friday, Aug. 2, is a must night. Beginning at 7 p.m. on the Railroad Depot Stage is Arthneice Jones and the Stone Gas Band with Little Jeno. At 8:15, Paul "Wine" Jones will be showing off music from his recent Fat Possum release. Delta juke joint legend Junior Kimbrough follows at 9:15 p.m. The night wraps up with Rooster Blues' artist Lonnie Shields. The meat of the Saturday, Aug. 3, lineup on the Delta Blues Museum Stage comes in mid-day. Robert Belfour takes the stage at 12:50 p.m., followed by Jack Owens at 1:30 p.m., Lonnie Pitchford at 2:10 p.m. and the ubiquitous Charlie Musselwhite at 3 p.m. On the Railroad Depot Stage the fun begins at 12:30 p.m. Highlights include Frank Frost and Sam Carr at 5:15 p.m.; Othar Turner and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band at 6:15 p.m.; and headliner Bobby Rush at 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, is dedicated to gospel. From 2 to 8 p.m., more than eight gospel groups will take turns on the Railroad Depot Stage. Clarksdale is in midst of rediscovering its blues heritage. The Sunflower River Fest is a major part of that rediscovery. It has more of a home-town feel than nearly any other major festival, and is well worth the hour or so drive down Highway 61.
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