Eighth annual festival features world class blues, local craft beers, smokin’ BBQ
There are plenty of good reasons people love Alameda’s annual Blues, Brews & BBQ festival at Washington Park, 750 Central Avenue. The music is amazing, the food is delicious, the beverages from local craft breweries are perfect on a hot day, and there’s plenty of family-friendly fun as well. Plus, admission is free. RSVP in advance at the Blues, Brews & BBQ Eventbrite page.
There’s even a raffle. Six names will be selected randomly from the RSVP list to be the lucky winners. Winners will be notified by email the night before the festival (September 20) and prizes can be picked up on the event day from the West End Arts District booth.
Bring your blanket or lawn chairs (and sunscreen!) and enjoy a beautiful day of great music, food and drinks, and community.
Blues
This year’s main stage will be bouncing with MJ’s Brass Boppers, Lavay Smith & her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, HowellDevine, and Jinx Jones.
The swinging and singing Brass Boppers are the Bay Area’s only New Orleans-style brass band whose founding members were born and raised in New Orleans itself. Their sound fuses classic New Orleans style with funk, jazz, modern pop, and a second-line twist.
A San Francisco institution, Lavay Smith’s style is bluesy, jazzy, and a little bit brassy. She has been compared to a fusion of Dinah Washington and Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Little Esther Phillips. Be prepared to sing and dance along with Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.
Named after Joshua Howell (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Pete Devine (drums and washboard), Howell Devine is not your everyday blues band. From hill country and Delta blues to you-name-it kind of blues, this band mesmerizes audiences with its rhythms, vocals, and sheer variety of familiar and original music.
Jinx Jones Jinx has been described as a guitar virtuoso who seamlessly moves from rockabilly to jazz to twang and back again, sometimes in the same song. Get ready to sing and dance along to the Wham Bam Boogie.
Brews
Head to the beer garden sponsored by Trumark Homes for local craft beers from brewers including Faction, Alameda Brewing, Schilling Cider, Oakland United Beerworks, Berryessa Brewing, Pabst, HenHouse, Laughing Monk, Altamont Brewing Co, Headyworks, Sierra Nevada, Monster Brewing, and more. Wines, spirits, and non-alcohol options will be available for purchase also, too. Must be 21+.
BBQ
The barbecue grills will be smokin’ up delicious plates of beef hot links, smoked ribs, chicken, and bratwurst served up hot by Tante’s Catering. BBQ food trucks are bringing their flavor-packed experiences to the festival as well, and other caterers are offering delicious bites that will pair perfectly with a generous selection of local craft brews.
Family fun
In addition to the festivities, attendees can peruse locally-crafted wares from Bay Area vendors and kids can get make their own crafts—including simple musical instruments– the Family Zone hosted by Ozzy’s Music Academy.
Raffle
During the festival only–Buy Raffle Tickets for a chance to win one of 10+ Prizes (valued at over $1500)! Learn more!
After party with MJ’s Brass Boppers
As the festival closes, follow MJs Brass Boppers in a fun New Orleans-style march to the Healing Garden (1435 Webster Street) and the Fireside Lounge after party.
Kids can play the instruments they made in the Family Zone during the event. Adults only (21+) can head next door to the Fireside Lounge at 1453 Webster Street for fun DJ beats and craft beverages.
