The idea behind the Winter Carnival Blues Festival, set for Friday at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, was to keep the event fun and inexpensive.
“The price point was critical,” says event organizer Steve Heckler. “We did not want to have a ticket priced over $20, especially in this economy. We wanted it to be affordable.”
Holding the event indoors was also key. “First of all, it’s very hard to find musicians who would play outside,” Heckler said with a laugh. “We all wanted heat!”
As such, expect to see the Roy Wilkins dressed up some to mask its barren arena aura. Heckler, who also heads up the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, said the plan is to give the audience room to stretch and, ideally, dance.
“There will be a dance floor and tables and chairs so people can sit down if they like,” he said. “We’re trying to make it a very fun experience and a party-style event.”
The festival will feature a main stage with Chicago guitarist Maurice John Vaughn and Mississippi saxophone player Eddie Shaw alongside local favorites Big George Jackson and the Winter Carnival’s own Klondike Kates. A second acoustic stage will host Spider John Koerner, BC III and Nikki and the RueMates.
— Ross Raihala
What: Winter Carnival Blues Festival
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Roy Wilkins Auditorium, West Fifth Street between Washington and West Seventh streets, St. Paul
Tickets: $15
Call: 651-989-5151
Copyright 2009 Pioneer Press.