The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Berlin Fair welcomes blues artists this weekend
This weekend the Berlin Fair returns for its 69th year. Presented by the Berlin Lions Club, the 2017 edition promises to be more fun and exciting than ever. Blues fans will have plenty of chances to see some true talent.
Friday, it is Chris Ruest Trio with Gene Taylor from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Pavilion Stage. They are followed at 4:30 p.m. by Easy Baby.
Gene Taylor is an extraordinary blues pianoplayer and singer. At the age of 8, he came under the influence of a family of blues and boogie-woogie players who moved in next door to his house. After starting out with the drums, he switched to the piano and the guitar at age 10. He started finding local work with such L.A.based blues legends as Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, and PeeWee Crayton. During this period, he met both James Harman and Phil and Dave Alvin, who later formed The Blasters. He toured with the late Rick Nelson, between Blasters engagements. Taylor was asked to join Canned Heat giving him his first international exposure.
Chris Ruest is a Bristol native who transplanted to Texas. He belongs to an impressive young class of serious Texas blues guitarists, and has quietly built a reputation of excellence that is spreading beyond his Dallas home base. A veteran with nearly two decades’ experience on the bandstand, Ruest’s passion for classic blues comes through in an original voice that combines immediacy and authenticity. His interest in guitar was encouraged by his father and his uncle, jazz musician Louis Mastrobattisto.
Saturday, Pavilion Stage has Tommy Whalen and the Ragged Edge 1 to 4 p.m., with The Mike Crandall Band coming on at 4:30 p.m. The Dizzy River Band will be there; Sunday, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Also on Sunday, Jeff Pitchell presents a Legends Show featuring Michael Allman, Tyrone Vaughan, and Claudette King at 3 p.m.
Best of all, you also an opportunity to give back, as many of Connecticut’s charitable organizations benefit from money raised at the Berlin Fair.
Later Friday evening, Chris Ruest will be at Community benefit at Black-Eyed Sally’s: If you cannot make the benefit and would like to make a donation, go to: Sportys, and Saturday he will be at Black-Eyed Sally’s.
Black-Eyed Sally’s is also hosting a community benefit concert to help a blues friend, fan, and photographer, Bruce Rieder, who’s facing a battle with cancer and has been unable to work. The benefit will be held on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Shaka & The Soul Shakers and friends will open the show followed by The Balkun Brothers, who are hustling back from Nashville to join in with their support. During the last hour, the stage will open up for folks wishing to join in a jam.
Friday, Scott Sharrard & the Brickyard Band are at Sally’s. On Saturday at the Powder Mill Barn in Enfield is the Spyda Murphy Blues Bash. The entertainment include Easy Baby, Spyda Murphy and the Allstars, and the Delta Generators The show goes from 12:30-6 p.m. All proceeds are going towards the Connecticut Blues Society Challenge winner, Easy Baby, to help them travel to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge. There will be food vendors around, but you’re welcome to bring your own cooler.
Some other regional events are also taking placethis weekend. Just across the border in West Springfield is The Big-E. In The Connecticut Tent on Saturday will have Shawn Taylor at 4:30 p.m., and he returns Sunday at 10 a.m.
Time for the 10th Olde Mistick Village Annual Garlic Festival. Over 50 farmers, vendors, bakers and restaurants will be there both days. It is a terrific free family event.
Saturday, Ms Marci and The Lovesickhounds play from 12 to 3 p.m. Elsewhere on Saturday, is Sue Menhart and Don from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
The Polish Legion of American Veterans in Meriden are hosting its club picnic on Saturday with Blues Alley from 12-7 p.m. It should be fun and filling with a pig roast and plenty of other picnic goodies.
While the weather is good some of the outdoor venues continue with early blues. Saturday, at The Bassette Farm in South Glastonbury, it is Dan Stevens. Sunday, Stevens plays Le Chateau Gary Winery at 3 pm. The Glastonbury Farmers Market on Wednesday has Shawn Taylor at 4 p.m.
Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort has a Saturday show with Eran Troy Danner playing solo acoustic from 6 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, it is a Record Journal Party in Meriden with Jake Kulak and Braiden Sunshine going on at 1 p.m.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center has two weekend shows, with Friday featuring C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Then Saturday, The Dylan Doyle Band with Tom “The Suit” Forst plays. On Friday, the Cobalt Rhythm Kings are at The Stand Roadside BBQ & Market in Branford.