Alameda’s favorite music festival, Blues, Brews & BBQ, returns for its 7th edition, bringing together world-class blues musicians, local craft breweries, and smoking barbecue vendors. Admission is free, and if you register online for your free tickets, you just might win a festival T-shirt or a free drinks package.
Live music throughout the day will feature top performers from the region. Here’s the schedule:
- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: The Bonafides.
- 2 to 3 p.m.: The Mighty Mules.
- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol.
- 5 to 6 p.m.: Mark Hummel.
Festival headliner, Grammy-nominated Mark Hummel, is considered one of the premier blues harmonica players of his generation. He has crafted his own trademark harmonica sound, a subtle combination of tone, phrasing, and attack combined with a strong sense of swing. Blues Review once wrote: “Mark Hummel is a Harmonica god. He is one of a handful of the best players ever on the instrument.”
A living legend, the Dynamic Miss Faye Carol is an amazing performer, vocalist, and music educator. As Jim Harrington wrote in the Mercury News, “the Berkeley vocalist earns the ‘Dynamic’ tag every time she takes the stage, delivering powerful sets of music that seamlessly blend soul, gospel, R&B and, most definitely, the blues.”
The BBQ grills will be smoking up delicious plates throughout the day. Fuel up with San Francisco-made Evergood beef hot links, smoked ribs, chicken, and bratwurst served up hot by Tante’s Catering. Tracy-based Speer Family BBQ is bringing their flavor-packed experience to the festival. Other caterers are offering delicious bites that will pair perfectly with a generous selection of local craft brews.
Attendees also can enjoy a wide selection of seasonal craft favorites from local brewers, including Alameda Brewing, Berryessa Brewing, Del Cielo Brewing, Boochcraft Organic Hard Kombucha, Drake’s Brewing Co., Faction Brewing, JuneShine, Line 51, Oakland United, Schilling Hard Cider, Sierra Nevada, and Trumer Pils. Artisanal wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available as well.
Bay Area vendors will offer locally crafted wares and kids can get crafty with Ozzy’s Music Academy and stay engaged at the Family Zone. Washington Park offers a unique festival venue with expansive green space and playgrounds—and it’s just a short stroll from the San Francisco Bay.
Check out some great pics from last year’s festival, which was a major success.
The 7th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ is sponsored by the City of Alameda, Embarc Alameda, Michael Lane Homes, Evergood Fine Foods, Brookfield Properties, Alameda Recreation & Parks Department, California Arts Council, Alameda Municipal Power, The Fireside Lounge, Trinary Events, California Draft Tech,Digifli,Ozzy’s Music Academy, STIIIZY, and Radium Presents. Festival producer West End Arts District is a 501(c)(3) community-led nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire communities and transform spaces in West Alameda through arts programming.
