Fifth Annual Berlin Blues Festival Scheduled for June 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/April 1, 2005
Contact : Tom Retano 860-604-8106
Saturday, June 4, 2005 will bring blues music and more to Central Connecticut as the Berlin Blues festival comes to the Berlin Fairgrounds. Sponsored by the Berlin Lions Club and Connecticut Lions District 23B, the event will feature top international and local blues performers. The event will also feature a classic car show, a motorcycle show, and a Harley-Davidson "Ride for Sight" sponsored by Gengras Harley Davidson of East Hartford, CT.
The headliner is Canned Heat. Now on their 40th Anniversary World Tour, they are internationally famous for their unique blend of blues, rock and boogie. Their songs "On the Road Again", "Lets Work Together", and "Goin’ Up The Country" featured in the 1969 festival movie "Woodstock" are well known. Other featured acts will include Texas based Rounder Records recording artist Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets featuring Sam Myers, Telarc recording artist Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, The Deanna Bogart Band, Eight to the Bar, Johnny Vibrato and the Razorbacks, Jr. Krause & the Shakes, The Hoodoo Band, and Blues Deluxe. A crowd of over 3000 blues, classic car, and motorcycle enthusiasts is expected. Well known acoustic blues artist Dan Stevens will perform between sets.
Major promotion will be provided by The Rock 106.9 WCCC with blues personality Beef Stew hosting the event.
The event will also include a Classic Car Show with trophies for several classes of autos. Over 100 classic cars are expected to be on display. Advance registration guidelines for the Car show can be found at many car parts stores, repair garages, and through the Festival website at www.berlinmusicfest.com.
In its second year, The Harley Davidson "Ride for Sight" is sponsored by Gengras Harley Davidson of East Hartford. Participants must pre- register at Gengras. The ride begins at their East Hartford location and ends at the Festival. The Motorcycle show will have trophies for two classes, classic and custom, and the $25 registration for the "Ride for Sight" includes entry into the Festival, Motorcycle Show, and food.
The event will also include activities for kids provided by Upbeat of Berlin and food from the Berlin Lions Club. Beer will be served.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lions Low Vision Center located in New Britain, CT. The Center provides assistance for newly diagnosed victims of blindness from Macular Degeneration, Diabetes, Glaucoma, Stroke, trauma and other causes. Most of these victims are affected by vision loss that cannot be surgically corrected. "We teach the client that they can still be independent and productive" according to Carolyn Messier, Director of the Lions Low Vision Center. "These people are able to maintain their dignity and independence through our training in the use of devices that allow a resumption of routine tasks and activities" said Messier. The Center is funded solely by Lions Clubs.
The Berlin Blues Festival was founded by the Berlin Lions Club in 2001. The concept of a fundraising blues festival was initiated by Berlin Lions member Tom Retano after meeting young Matthew Cavedon of Berlin. Retano brought the concept of a blues festival to the Berlin Lions to help fund Cavedon’s goal of building a local Boundless Playground called "Friendship Place", a playground accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities.
Since 2002, Berlin Lions have donated all proceeds from the Berlin Blues Festival to the Lions Low Vision Center. "Lionism is all about helping the community become a better place for everyone. Blues is all about making people feel better about their environment through songs and lyrics. This benefit Blues Festival is all about a combination of Lionism and Blues to help those that need it most" said Retano.
Tickets for the event are $18 in advance, $22 at the gate, and will be available at several locations including Gengras Harley Davidson in East Hartford, Black Eyed Sally’s in Hartford, Integrity ‘n Music in Wethersfield, Ultimate Billiards in Berlin, Kensington Opticians in Berlin, and The Rubber Match in New Haven. Children under age 15 will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Information and directions can be found on the website or by calling 1-877-828-0063