Baja Blues Fest: A Great Way to Feel Good and Help Kids

Baja Blues Fest: A Great Way to Feel Good and Help Kids

Aug. 23 to 25 Event at the Rosarito Beach Hotel & Resort

By Ron Raposa

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Some say listening to the blues is a great way to lift the spirits --- and the second annual Baja Blues Festival from Aug. 23rd to 25th will provide plenty of proof.

Not only will the three-day weekend festival at the Rosarito Beach Hotel & Resort feature some of the best blues music anywhere, proceeds will benefit five local children’s charities.
“It’s the perfect way to have a great time while helping great causes,” said Baja Blues Fest board president Jackie Alameda.

The oceanfront festival will be headlined by John Nemeth, from Nashville, who will be joined by San Diego’s Backwater Blues Band, plus seven other outstanding California and Mexican blues bands. Forty-five vendors will offer food, drink, artwork, crafts and concert memorabilia.

Friday’s pre-concert party will be followed by a day of individual performances on Saturday and a jam session on Sunday. Tickets, schedule and more information are available atwww.bajabluesfest.org, at Baja’s Click-on.com or at supported charities.

Three-day tickets are $35; Saturday, $25 (or $20 in advance), Friday night only or Sunday only, $10 each. Comfortable and convenient bus shuttles from the border are available with advance reservations.
The Baja Blues Fest will benefit La Mision Children’s Fund, BECA, Friends of the Library, Los Angelitos Orphanage and the Baja Scholarship Foundation. Major sponsors include the Rosarito Beach Hotel and Lark Engineering/Filtros Electronics.
Below are some additional highlights of the festival:
•The Baja Blues Shuttle from San Ysidro Border Station Parking, to the Rosarito Beach Hotel – Round trip $39 on a comfortable, full-sized, air-conditioned bus with amenities. Baja Motion Tours -http://bajabluesfest.org/index.php/travel/bus-transporation

•Eight great blues bands with headliner John Németh, all the way from Nashville. A rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity accompanied by The Backwater Blues Band

•Seven other acts including five from San Diego: Backwater Blues Band, Scotty Blinn & Black Market III, Annette da Bomb & D’Bomb Squad, The Fremonts, Wyatt Lowe & the Youngbloods, from Tijuana: Pachuco Blues and from Ensenada: Deja Blues.


•See Jorge Luna’s electric crystal guitar being played by guest players during the three-day event, including Chuy from Ensenada.

•Tom Stewart of the renowned Backwater Blues Band and “Baja Joe” Greg Reddick, will share the stage as MCs for the Baja Blues Fest.

•Win two all-day event tickets and a room for two nights at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Listen to the Walrus, 105.7 FM in August for your chance to win.

•Blues for sale! CDs will be recorded of the Saturday event and presold on-line and at the event.

•Great raffle prizes: collectable signed posters and memorabilia, rooms in vacation resorts, spa packages, the Baja Graffiti Surfboard and more.

•45 Artists and Vendors – Art, photography, jewelry, clothing, food, wine, desserts, information booths and more

•Tickets on sale now at www.bajabluesfest.org and Baja’s Click-on.com or arranged through one of this year’s supported charities.


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