Bernard Allison 

Mile High Marketplace announced the first annual Mile High Blues Festival on Aug. 8 and 9 in Denver. Denver’s blues scene has been without a major Blues Festival for more than five years but the drought is over with the new Mile High Blues Festival. The Festival is loaded with two days of nationally renowned and Grammy-winning blues recording artists; plus many artists nominated for the 2009 Blues Music Awards (BMA). A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Colorado Blues Society to support keeping the blues alive in Colorado. 

The line-up includes blues artists such as guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa headlining Sunday night, C&C Records Recording Artist and guitar great Bernard Allison (son of blues icon Luther Allison), singer-songwriter Curtis Salgado (the inspiration for John Belushi’s Blues Brothers character) and acclaimed guitar virtuoso Jimmy Thackery.

One of the hottest rising stars of Blues with four BMA nominations including Best New Artist and Album, the magical Eden Brent will perform. Also on the line-up are renowned national artists such as the legendary Grammy Award-winning John Hammond, Memphis singer-songwriter Reba Russell and a special guest star appearance by Rick Estrin & the Night Cats formerly known as Little Charlie & the Night Cats. Ryan McGarvey will perform a special tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn and local favorite Delta Sonics will kick off the festival. 

The 2-day event will be held at the new Mile High Marketplace Event Center, the newest addition to the 80-acre Denver landmark long known for the Mile High Flea Market. The 25,000 square foot tented venue will offer guests a unique festival setting for listening to some of the finest blues music around including all the things that make a blues festival great such as plenty of food, BBQ, cold beer and festival merchandise to choose from. Included in the price of the concert ticket is free parking and admission to Mile High Marketplace with acres of additional entertainment, shopping and family fun.

Editor’s note: Mile High Marketplace is conveniently located at I-76 and 88th Avenue just minutes from downtown Denver. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketswest.com. General admission tickets are $25 per day in advance or just $20 per day if purchasing both days.  Tickets at the gate are $30 per day. VIP tickets and seating will also be available. Kids under 12 are free.

For more information, visit www.milehighbluesfestival.com or e-mail Gina Hallisey gina@milehighmarketplace.com.