Sharde Thomas and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band play under the main stage in front of the empty chairs and tables at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in Clarksdale, 8/11/12
Clarksdale MS
The New (Elite) Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival
Despite almost perfect weather, this year’s Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival seemed extremely small compared to previous years, with only one stage of performances, and that blocked by a new fenced-in compound with tables and chairs presumably reserved for wealthy donors or paying ticket-holders. Since the compound was nearly-empty, performers got the dubious pleasure of performing to the empty tables in front of the stage, since the crowd was in the free area to the east closer to the Blues Museum.
The Sunflower Blues and Gospel Festival 2012
Follow this link for complete info about this year’s Sunflower Blues and Gospel Festival in Clarksdale, MS including travel information and a comprehensive schedule of performances.
This is a big weekend in Clarksdale, MS. The Sunflower River Blues Festival starts tonight and continues through Sunday, August 12. It’s not too late to get down there, and while hotel rooms are probably gone in Clarksdale, there are plenty in nearby Tunica.
This is a big weekend in Clarksdale, MS. The Sunflower River Blues Festival starts tonight and continues through Sunday, August 12. It’s not too late to get down there, and while hotel rooms are probably gone in Clarksdale, there are plenty in nearby Tunica.
This is a big weekend in Clarksdale, MS. The Sunflower River Blues Festival starts tonight and continues through Sunday, August 12. It’s not too late to get down there, and while hotel rooms are probably gone in Clarksdale, there are plenty in nearby Tunica.
Roosevelt Robinson at DJ Hype’s Rhythm & Blues #jukejointfest 2012
I ended my Juke Joint Fest 2012 at DJ Hype’s Rhythm and Blues, a venue in North Clarksdale, far removed from the downtown area. The Roosevelt Robinson Blues Band from Jackson was on stage, performing for a small crowd that included some folks from Sweden.
Louis “Gearshifter” Youngblood at Club 2000 #jukejointfest 2012
Louis “Gearshifter” Youngblood performing at Club 2000, Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale, MS, 4/14/12
Eddie C. Campbell Performing at #jukejointfest 2012
Eddie C. Campbell performing at The Bank, Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale MS, 4/14/12
The Baby Blues drumline was still on Desoto Avenue when I walked back downtown, with a large crowd gathered around as they played cadences. The funk beats brought competitive dancers out of the crowd into the circle, where they faced off against each other, Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale MS, 4/14/12