Issue 100 - April 4, 2007

From Your Director ...

This year's Bluesfest is really taking shape. This past week we signed on two new corporate sponsors, WBBJ-TV and Thomas Media. They join P&G/Pringles, Central Distributors/Budweiser, The Jackson Sun and Pepsi, longtime corporate sponsors. These two new media sponsors bring a lot of talent expertise and a potential outreach for the festival we didn't have before. They are great partners, and we welcome them to the Bluesfest Family.

We expect a huge crowd this year and are gearing up for a great two day festival. There will be five bands each night, six food vendors and of course barbeque all day long, both days. We expect it to be our best event, ever. Russell Clarkston, Honorary Chair, will be on hand to meet and great everyone. Local DJ's and radio and TV celebs will be MC's for the shows.

So mark your calendars for June 1st and 2nd and plan on attending the 16th Annual Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival. You'll be glad you did!!!

Musicologist Dr. David Evans to Speak at Library

Get into the Shannon Street Bluesfest frame of mind and plan on attending a special program at the Jackson - Madison County Library on Monday, April 16th, at
6:00 p.m. Hear University of Memphis Musicologist Dr. David Evans present a program on the West Tennessee Blues Tradition.

Although known mostly as a blues scholar,
Dr. Evans is a skilled vocalist and guitarist and has been performing traditional country blues since 1962, having learned directly from many of the old-time blues musicians. Dr. Evans is Professor of Music at The University of Memphis, where he directs a PhD program in ethnomusicology with a specialization in the regional music of the southern United States. His visit is co-sponsored by the library and the Jackson Downtown Development Corporation. For more information you can call 425.8600.

First Friday Forum to be held on Friday, April 13th

First Friday Forum, traditionally held on the first Friday each month, has been rescheduled in April to the second Friday in respect of Good Friday which falls on the 6th this year. So, on Friday the 13th, your lucky day, plan on attending First Friday Forum which should prove to be very informative, educational and interesting. All six mayoral candidates have accepted our invitation to sit on a panel to share their responses to a series of prepared questions in a debate type format.

First Friday Forum will be held from noon until
1:00 p.m., in the gymnasium of the First United Methodist Church, 200 South Church Street and is sponsored by First United Methodist Church and Jackson Downtown Development Corporation. A $5.00 lunch is available.

For more information you can call 427.7573.

Jackson Symphony to perform at the Civic Center on April 14th

Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. on the 14th the Jackson Symphony will present the Black & Decker Pops "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy".

The performers are an alternative to retro. They're high-octane, nitro jive, loud, wild, with total edge.

You get the picture? Come hear America's hottest "big band" perform their modern version of swing.

For more information you can call 427.6440.

Best of the West Music Showcase at the Ned on the 7th

The spotlight will shine on artists from West Tennessee who have made their mark on the music scene in this area and beyond. Many of West Tennessee's most popular performers have been invited to play, and there will be a special hot house band. The show is headed up by Ashley Bowers and Johnny Melton, Marty Slayton, Doug Bartholomew and Jonathan Singleton. Performers will perform in the round telling stories behind their music and careers. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from these talented performers.

For more information you can call the 425.8587.

"Clifford the Big Red Dog Live" at the Civic Center

On Sunday, April 22nd two shows will take place, at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the Carl Perkins Civic Center featuring a brand new story. Clifford The Big Red Dog LIVE! bringing the well loved characters from Birdwell Island - including Emily Elizabeth, Cleo, T-Bone, Jetta, Charlie, and of course Clifford. This will be a fun-filled spectacle for the whole family. The "Big Ideas" that were introduced in the Clifford animated series airing on PBS KIDS will also take center stage.

For more information you can call 217.2603.

Business After Hours to happen in April at Aeneas

Aeneas Internet & Telephone, 300 North Cumberland Street, will host the April Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on Thursday, April 26th, at the Aeneas Building from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This is becoming an annual event for Aeneas. Creative Catering will provide their customary delicious fare, and there will be music and a great opportunity for networking. Both the inside and courtyard sound system will be cranked up. This is always a very neat downtown event, and the Aeneas facilities are great. For more information you can call 423.2200.