The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Live music returning to local venues
As the state moves forward on its re-opening, the blues are back in the entertainment scene. Be cautious when going out, be safe and confirm by a call to the club.
For those who are still concerned about attending an event, they must follow the executive order protocols. For now, gigs can only be played in the open. Venues have to open as a restaurant because bars aren’t allowed to open yet, and in addition, they have to follow social distancing regulations to do so. Tables are sectioned and apart, away from performing band. Hosts are required, at check-ins, with disposable menus, cups, condiments, etc. Masks and gloves are worn by servers, who serve you in a designated area. A mask is required if you use restrooms inside, but not at a table when you are eating and drinking.
The Brass Horse Cafe got back to its Sunday afternoon shows last week at 3 p.m. This week, it is Americana Roots and Blues.
Crystal Bees has reopened, with safety protocols in place, serving outside on their patio and a newly established parking lot/dining area. It will also be streaming shows for those who aren’t ready to go out yet. But of course,
Crystal Bees is promoting safety, with a musical, dining experience. Join Jake Kulak & The Lowdown to party on the patio, Friday.
Riverside Blues and Beyond, hosted by Slim & St. George takes place Friday at 5 p.m. at the Mattabesett Canoe Club.
Also on Friday, The Farm At Carter Hill has live music by the Screamin’ Eagle Band. Have dinner on the
Farm from 6-9 p.m. and enjoy a live acoustic night of music with Biker Mike and Dan of the Screamin’ Eagle Band. Please make sure to bring your masks to stick around when done eating.
The Note is back with Shawn Taylor and Glen Roth on Friday and Jake Kulak & the Lowdown, Saturday.
The Steak Loft has The
Menhart Sisters, listed for Wednesday; Thursday they welcome Johnny & the East Coast Rockers. Greg Piccolo has his weekly Monday visit.
On Thursday, Bill’s Seafood Restaurant brings in The Guy Zinda Band.
Saturday, the Chris Leigh Band is playing the ECPAA Jazz Festival at the Yurechiko Tree Farm in Griswold.
The Back Porch is proud to bring in some of the best musicians around for your entertainment. They have live music five times a week and there’s never a cover charge. For now, they’re only open for patio dining.
This week has some information pieces from the Blues Foundation, starting with The Blues Music Awards submission process. It will open as usual on July 1 for 2021 BMA consideration. Any fulllength CD or minimum 6-song EP, released between Nov. 1, 2019 and Oct. 31, 2020, is eligible. Watch for further emails from the Blues Foundation with details on how to submit your music, as well as important deadlines for this process.
Also, the Blues Foundation is actively considering what our 2021 International Blues Challenge might look like. We will soon be sending a survey to all affiliated Blues Societies requesting information about their plans and needs in order to help us prepare for next year’s IBC.
We will also soon be sending a survey to the leadership of each of our 175 Affiliated Blue Societies around the world to hear directly from them regarding the challenges they are facing, their plans for the 2021 International Blues Challenge, and how the Blues Foundation can help them in the midst of the global pandemic that has impacted each of us.
Charles Mitchell, president & CEO of Jus’ Blues, informed its blues family that they have rescheduled the Jus’ Blues Music Awards & Conference to July 28-Aug. 1, 2021. They plan to have an exciting line-up of entertainers and will have many reminiscing conversations about the events of 2020. Watch out for more information about the line-up and special events at: www.JusBlues.org
Gulf Coast Records placed three of their artists in the just-announced 2020 Independent Blues Awards. The nominees place in more than one category. They are guitarist Albert Castiglia; blues/soul vocalist Billy Price; and saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter. Gulf Coast co-owner Mike Zito was also nominated in several categories.
Winners were recently announced for the 2019 International Songwriting Competition. First Place went to “Great Minds Drink Alone,” written by Jeff Schroedl and performed by Altered Five Blues Band from Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Second Place was “Forgetting You,” written by Robert T. Wilson and performed by Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, Canyon Country, California.
Third Place went to Harpdog Brown’s “No Eyes For You,” written by Harpdog Brown & Mike Ross, performed by Harpdog Brown of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
ISC 2020 submissions are now open. The Early Bird deadline is June 17. Judges include: Irma Thomas, John Mayall, Joe Louis Walker, and Bruce Iglauer.
The 71 winners will share in over $150,000 worth of cash and prizes. In addition to cash and merchandise prizes, winners benefit from a multilateral promotional campaign designed to give international exposure and attention to their songwriting achievements.
As schedules and times change, it is good practice to call the club and confirm. http://bluesbeatnews.word press.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.