News Archive

2009 News Releases

2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival raises food, funds to help fight hunger
Final tally exceeds goal
PORTLAND, Ore. – Stellar performances, enthusiastic volunteers committed sponsors and generous blues fans helped make the 22nd Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, a success.

Blues fans donated more than $479,343 at the gate. This year, the festival also offered blues fans new ways to increase their donations by buying special passes. Special passes purchased online added $65,295 to festival coffers, enabling the Oregon Food Bank to exceed its $500,000 goal with total donations of $544,638. Read more >

Keb' Mo' to headline opening night, July 2
Etta James cancels West Coat tour due to illness
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 27, 2009) – The 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is pleased to announce that Grammy Award-winning Keb' Mo' will headline opening night, Thursday, July 2, of the 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union. He will replace Etta James, who has canceled her entire West Coast tour due to illness. Read more >

Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival named one of Greatest Outdoor Music Festivals in North America
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 29, 2009) –Fortunately for Oregonians, the pilgrimage is short to the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, selected this month as one of the 15 Greatest Outdoor Music Festivals in North America by Outside magazine. Read more >

Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival offers optional passes
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 29, 2009) –Select your 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival pass and enjoy the blues with ease. Read more >

Festival to feature after-concert events
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 29, 2009) - Can’t get enough of the blues? The 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, offers a variety of after-concert events for the late-night crowd. Late-night DME Blues Cruises are sold out. But tickets are still available for two Wildhorse Resort and Casino Super Jams at the Marriott. Or visit University Place Hotel or Hotel Fifty. The music goes until 1 a.m.
Read more >  

Festival to feature 5 DME Blues Cruises
An intimate way to enjoy the big festival
PORTLAND, Ore. (May 28, 2009) – Sit back and relax or get up and boogie. Cruise the beautiful Willamette River and hear the blues in an intimate setting on the three decks of the Portland Spirit. Read more >

Festival benefits fight against hunger
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 3, 2009)— All Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival entry donations directly benefit Oregon Food Bank's work to eliminate hunger and its root causes … because no one should be hungry. Read more >

Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival July 4 fireworks
largest diplay in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 4, 2009) – The 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, will celebrate July 4th with a spectacular, display of fireworks, the largest display in Oregon. Read more >

Bring the family!
Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival fun for kids
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 4, 2009) – In addition to offering more than 120 stellar blues performances, the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, is a powerful family tradition with fun activities for kids. Read more >

Festival to feature Delta Music Experience Louisiana Pavilion and French Quarter Market
PORTLAND, Ore., (June 4, 2009) — New Orleans Northwest? The Louisiana Pavilion at Portland’s 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 2 through 5, can take you there. Read more >  

Ettiquette and Essentials
From festival hours to what to leave at home, learn about ways to make the make the festival enjoyable for everyone. Read more >

Buy Empty Bowls to help people who are hungry
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 4, 2009) — Blues fans will find more than music at the 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 2 to 5. They’ll also find beautiful, hand-crafted pottery at the Empty Bowls booth, coordinated by Oregon Potters Association. Read more >

Free health screenings at Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 4, 2009) — How’s your hearing? Your blood pressure? Get free health screenings at the 2009 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union. Visit the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Pavilion while at the festival. Read more >

About Oregon Food Bank
The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is Oregon Food Bank's largest fundraiser. Read more >

2008 News Releases

OFB thanks community for successful 2008 Waterfront Blues Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 8, 2008) – Perfect festival weather, great music, enthusiastic volunteers, committed sponsors and generous blues fans helped make the 21st annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, a rousing success.

Blues fans donated $538,000 at the gate, making the 2008 Waterfront Blues Festival the second highest for gate donations in the festival’s 21-year history. In addition, blues fans donated an estimated 91,192 pounds of food.

Join blues fans at the 2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. -- World-class music. Gorgeous setting. Great cause. What could be better? Join blues fans from throughout the world at the 21st annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, July 3 to 6, 2008. Read more.

2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival to feature five Delta Music Experience Blues Crusies
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Tickets are now available for the 2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival Delta Music Experience Blues Cruises through Tickets Oregon, a new ticketing venue created by musician Patrick Lamb. Read more.

2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival passes now available
PORTLAND, Ore. -- In addition to its popular Four-Day Festival Grounds Pass, the 2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, will offer a special Blues Buddy Pass, an exclusive Blues Benefactor Pass and a Boat Pass. Read more.

Festival to feature spectacular fireworks display, July 4
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 9, 2008) – The 2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival will celebrate July 4th with a spectacular, “feel-the-thunder” display of fireworks, twice as large as any display in Oregon, at 10:05 p.m. after the evening’s final performance and the National Anthem. Read more.

FedEx Workshop stage offfers rich learning experience
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –It’s intimate. It’s dynamic. It’s the little gem of the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, July 3 to 6, 2008. Read more.

2008 Festival etiquette and essentials
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –A few guidelines to make the festival more enjoyable for everyone. Read more.

Waterfront Blues Festival goes green
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, is known for its stellar blues. But this will be its greenest year ever. Read more.

What's special about the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival?
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is an anomaly in the festival world. There is no other festival like it anywhere! Read more.

Festival to benefit Oregon Food Bank
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) – All Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival admission donations directly benefit Oregon Food Bank. Read more.

Festival to feature DME Louisiana Pavilion
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) – New Orleans Northwest? The Louisiana Pavilion at Portland’s 2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 3 through 6, can take you there. Read more.

Festival offers activities for kids
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –In addition to offering more than 120 stellar blues performances, The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, is a powerful family tradition with a number of activities for children. Read more.

About Oregon Food Bank
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –OFB's mission: To eliminate hunger and its root causes ... because no one should be hungry. Read more.

Check your health at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2008) –How’s your hearing? What about your blood glucose levels? Get free health screenings at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival’s Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Pavilion. Read more.

Empty Bowls to benefit Oregon Food Bank
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 16, 2008) –Blues fans will find more than music at the 21st anniversary of the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 3 to 6. They’ll also find beautiful, pottery bowls at the Oregon Potter Association’s Empty Bowls booth at the festival. Read more.

Portland Community Media to broadcast workshops from the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Learn more about the blues before attending this year's festival. Portland Community Media will broadcast workshops from the festival's FedEx Freight Workshop Stage. Read more.

Paul de Lay Memorial Concert to kick off Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, Sunday, April 20
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Celebrate the life, music and spirit of Paul de Lay, and kick off the 2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. Read more.

2007 news releases

2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival raises funds to fights hunger
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Stellar musicians, enthusiastic volunteers, committed sponsors and thousands of blues fans helped make the 20th annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, a rousing success. Read more.

2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival goes green
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 2, 2007) --The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union is known for its stellar blues. But this year it’s adding more green to its palette. Read more.

POVA honors Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival with 2007 Rose City Award
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 2, 2007) --The Portland Oregon Visitors Association presented the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival with its Rose City Award, Thursday, June 28. The award honored the festival for making a significant, positive impact on the region's tourism industry. Read more.

Mayor proclaims Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival Week
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 27, 2007) -- Portland Mayor Tom Potter officially proclaimed  July 4 to 8, 2007, as The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival Week, at today’s Portland City Council meeting and encouraged all residents to observe the festival’s 20th anniversary. Read more.

FedEx Freight Workshop stage to offer rich learning experience
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2007) -- It’s intimate. It’s dynamic. It’s the FedEx Freight Workshop Stage, the little gem of the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, July 4 to 8, 2007.Read more.

2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival to feature 'feel-the-thunder' fireworks, July 4
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2007) -- It's a Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival tradition! The festival kicks off this year on Wednesday, July 4, with a spectacular display of fireworks at 10:05 p.m. after the evening's final performance. Read more.

Bring your mail to the 20th Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival for commemorative postmark
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2007) --Bring your letters, cards and postcards to the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, and mail them off with a special postmark authorized by the Postal Service just for this year's festival. The post mark will be available ...

International artist to make rainbow. Just bring sunshine
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2007) -- "Bring sunshine." You can't make rainbows without sunshine, and artist Fred Stern wants to make one.

Can't get enough of the blues? Stick around for after-concert events
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2007) -- After the concert ends, you'll still find lots to doing including ...

Louisiana Pavilion to feature celebrity chef, Gulf Coast Fish Shack, Loretta's New Orleans Authentic Pralines
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 18, 2007) -- The 2007 Waterfront Blues Festival will introduce the DME French Quarter Marketplace with celebrity Chef Cris Pasia, Loretta's New Orleans Authentic Pralines, Gulf Coast Fish Shack, Royalblues Art Gallery and more ...

What makes the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival so special?
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 14, 2007) -- It's an anomaly in the festival world.  Here's why ...

What's new?
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 14, 2007) -- This year's festival is packed with special features.

What's for kids?
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 14, 2007) --Bring the whole family. There's lots for kids to do.

'Where can I get one of those cool buttons?'
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 14, 2007) --“Where can I get one of those cool festival buttons?” That’s one of the most frequent questions at past Safeway Waterfront Blues Festivals.

Tickets now on sale for five-day festival pass, 9 DME Blues Cruises
PORTLAND, Ore. (Updated June 6, 2007) -- Tickets are now on sale for special five-day festival passes and an expanded schedule of nine DME Blues Cruises. Read more.

Festival etiquette and essentials
PORTLAND, Ore. (Updated June 25, 2007) -- What to bring, what to leave home, what's available on site and more. Read more.

Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, celebrating 20 years of blue, community and fighting hunger, July 4-8, 2007
PORTLAND, Ore. (Updated June 6, 2007) -- Pack your bags for beautiful Portland, Ore., this July and celebrate 20 glorious years of blues, community and fighting hunger at the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union. The five-day festival will run Wednesday, July 4, to Sunday, July 8, 2007, on the grassy banks of the Willamette River in downtown Portland.

Festival artists win 2007 Blues Music Awards
PORTLAND, Ore. (May 10, 2007) -- The Blues Foundation announced winners of the 2007 Blues Music Award -- the blues industry's Grammy Awards -- May 10. Hear some of the winners at this year's festival.

Carey Bell died
CHICAGO, Ill. (May 7, 2007) -- We regret that blues harmonica master Carey Bell, who was scheduled to perform a duo with his son Lurrie Bell at the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, has died. He was 70 eyars old. Lurrie will perform at the festival.

Blues world loses harmonica master Paul deLay
PORTLAND, Ore. (March 8, 2007) -- The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival lost a big friend today. Paul deLay, "the larger-than-life Portland bluesman," was known throughout the world for his soulful harmonica playing and was a beloved tradition at the Waterfront Blues Festival.

Celebrate 20 years of fabulous blues and fighting hunger, July 4-8, 2007
PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 20, 2007) -- Plan now to attend the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, July 4 to 8, 2007, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River in downtown Portland.

Reel Blues films to celebrate blues legends and more
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 12, 2007) --After the musicians leave the stages, the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival continues into the night with two special outdoor screenings on the First Tech Blues Stage.

Waterfront Blues Festival to benefit Oregon Food Bank
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 12, 2007) --All Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival admission donations directly benefit Oregon Food Bank's work to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Admission is a donation of $8 and two cans of food per person per day.

Past news releases

BLUES for KATRINA raises $125,000 for Gulf Coast hurricane relief
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 27, 2005) -- Oregonians opened their hearts and their wallets and contributed $125,000 for Gulf Coast relief at BLUES for KATRINA, presented by the Waterfront Blues Festival, Sept. 25, 2005.

BLUES for KATRINA, a benefit Gulf Coast hurricane relief
BLUES for KATRINA, a benefit for Gulf Coast hurricane relief, presented by Waterfront Blues Festival, Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 to 7 p.m., at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon.

All-day benefit concert to raise funds for Gulf Coast Hurricane disaster relief
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 23, 2005) -- Help raise $100,000 for Gulf Coast disaster relief at BLUES for KATRINA, an all-day benefit concert, presented by the Waterfront Blues Festival, Sept. 25, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Oregon Food Bank thanks community for successful Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 7, 2005) The annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, not only attracts the finest blues artists from throughout the world, it's also a major fund-raiser to sukpport OFB and its work to elimiante hunger and its root causes.

Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Shemekia Copela, Oliver Mtukudzi, the subdudes to highlight 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 1-4, 2005
The 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, includes some of the finest blues artists in the nation. read more >>

Find out who's performing on six different Blues Cruises
Cruise the Willamette River on the Portland Spirit with Charlie Musselwhite, Kenny Neal Band, Mark Lemhouse, Dufy Bishop, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Guitar Shorty, the Campbell Brothers, Doyle Brahmhall, the Vipers and many, many more. Read more

HSBC Workshop Stage highlights The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival offers a full line-up of educational workshops, performances and children’s programming. Read more.

Northwest Film Center invites blues fans to two special outdoor screenings on the Oregonian A&E Front Porch Stage at the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. Read more.

Handy Award Winners to perform at Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, Shemekia Copeland and Kenny Neal & Billy Branch all won 2005 Handy Awards at the prestigious 26th annual W.C. Handy Ceremony in May. And they all will perform at the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland in July. Read more.

Oregon Potters to create thousands of Empty Bowls
Blues fans will find more than music at the 18th annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 1 to 4. They'll also find thousands of beautiful, handcrafted bowls. read more >>

May 25, 2004--Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival 2004 announces performance schedule
May 25, 2004--2004 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival today announced the performance schedule for each of the four fabulous festival days. Headliners include Keb' Mo, Jonny Lang, Canned Heat and The Holmes Brothers and more.

Festival talent coordinator receives national Keeping the Blues Alive Award
The national Blues Foundation honored Peter Dammann, talent coordinator for the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, with the prestigious 2001 Keeping the blues Alive Award for Promoter of the Year. read more >>

June 21, 2004 --Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival to celebrate Howlin' Wolf

June 21, 2004 --Household Workshop Stage to offer more workshops for children, novices and experts

June 3, 2004 -- Northwest Film Center to present two late-night screenings: 'Hubert Sumlin: Living the Blues' and 'The Howlin'

March 10, 2004 -- Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival 2004 celebrates the blues, July 2 to July 5, 2004.

Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival and Portland Spirit to present five fabulous Blues Cruises

May 25, 2004 --Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival 2004 announces performance schedule

Portland's Genuine Blues to benefit Oregon Food Bank

June 21, 2004 --Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival to celebrate Howlin' Wolf

June 21, 2004 - Household Workshop Stage to offer more workshops for children, novices and experts

June 3, 2004 Northwest Film Center to present two late-night screenings: 'Hubert Sumlin: Living the Blues' and 'The Howlin'
Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival 2004 to feature Keb Mo and Jonny Lang