News Release

20 years of blues, community and fighting hunger 

2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival features after-concert events

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 13, 2007) – Can’t get enough of the blues? Then stick around after the show at the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, to enjoy a variety of after-concert events.

The Northwest Film Center will present Reel Blues films after the last act on the Credit Union Stage on July 5 and 6 at 10:15 p.m. See “Johnny Otis Reunion,” on Thursday, July 5, and “Hendrix & the Blues” and “The Losers Club” on Friday, July 6.

And don’t forget your dancing shoes, because the A&E Front Porch Stage will host a special, after-concert Zydeco dance party, presented by Cascade Zydeco Association, 8:15 to 11 p.m., on Friday, July 6. The dance will feature musicians Donna Angelle and Zydeco Posse and Keith Frank and Soileau Zydeco, a surprise hit at last year’s festival.

Or hear your favorite blues artists in an intimate setting on one of the festival’s evening DME Blues Cruises.

• Tuesday, July 3, the DME Hoodoo Moon Blues Cruise will feature Lurrie Bell, Pinetop Perkins, John Boutte, the Hot 8 Brass Band, Mark Lemhouse, and The Insomniacs.
• Thursday, July 5, the DME Backwater Juke Cruise will feature J.J. Grey and Mofro, Watermelon Slim and the Workers, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Hillstomp.
• Friday, July 6, the DME Moonlight Shanghai Cruise will feature Savoy Brown, Kim Simmonds, Brian Auger and Oblivion Express, Monti Amundson, Lloyd Jones, Josh Fulero and Boyd Small.
• Saturday, July 7, the DME Midnight Mambo Cruise will feature Marcia Ball, Buddy Flett and the Bluebirds, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone with Parkis Slim, and Nathan James and Ben Hernandez.

Evening cruises are for those 21 and older. Cruises board at 10:15 p.m. and return to dock at 1:15 a.m.

DME Blues Cruise tickets purchased in advance are $25 plus a convenience fee. To purchase tickets, call TicketsWest at 503-224-8499 or 1-800-992-8499 or visit www.ticketswest.com and search under “blues cruise.”

The Marriott will host special, late-night jam sessions, from Wednesday, July 4, to Sunday, July 8, in its second-floor Champions Lounge, across the street from the festival site. A core band, hosted by a changing roster of all-stars, including Duffy Bishop, Reggie Houston and Lloyd Jones, will host special guests from the festival’s main stage. Look for Teresa James, Charmaine Neville, Sean Carney, J.W. Jones, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone and more, plus surprise appearances by other blues legends. Marriott After Hours Allstars are from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A portion of the $8 cover charge will benefit Oregon Food Bank. Visit www.waterfrontbluesfest.com for the complete lineup.

About Oregon Food Bank: Oregon Food Bank is a nonprofit, charitable organization. It is the hub of the Oregon Food Bank Network, a statewide network of 20 regional food banks and 884 hunger-relief agencies serving Oregon and Clark County, Wash. Last year, OFB distributed more than 34.3-million pounds of food across Oregon and Clark Count, Wash.

About festival sponsors. The 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is presented by First Tech Credit Union. Major sponsors are iQ Credit Union, The Oregonian A&E, KINK.fm, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, PacificSource Health Plans, FedEx Freight, DaimlerChrysler Truck Financial, Miller Brewing, Delta Music Experience and Land Rover.

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