Blues and Brews raises funds for River’s Edge Trail
Published: August 31, 2009
The River’s Edge Trail, a 30-mile trail system that wends along the Missouri River, benefits from the 14th annual Blues and Brews, 5:30 p.m.-midnight Sept. 11 at Mansfield Convention Center and Margaret Park in Great Falls.
Support the trail while enjoying a selection of delicious foods by area restaurants, a variety of thirst-quenching microbrews and other beverages, and top-notch entertainment.
This year’s headliner is the Tommy Castro Band, led by the high-energy and charismatic guitar player, vocalist and songwriter from the Bay Area. Castro and company explore the boundaries of American blues with a mesmerizing blend of rock, blues and Memphis soul.
The line-up also includes The Insomniacs from Portland, Ore., whose energetic blend of blues, swing, jump and roots rock earned them a nomination for a national Blues Music Award in 2008. They play vintage instruments and channel a blues style from the 1950s, but there is a distinct new cyberspace bent to the quartet. These musicians who have quickly jumped into the top tier of clubs tour endless highways in a beat up van, babying a gut-string upright, the 1951 Fender “Nocaster” guitar, the 1964 Framus Star Bass and their Magnatone and Ampeg tube amps. Local favorites The 49th Street Blues Project also perform.
Tickets are $25; call 455-8514.
In the last 13 years, Blues and Brews has raised well over $300,000 to help match state and federal grants, design and construct new segments and improve existing portions of the Rivers Edge Trail. Call 788-6197 or visit www.thetrail.org for details.
