This Saturday’s market held in Old Munichburg will be a bit livelier than usual as three bands are set to take the stage and bring summer blues to the area.
The Lorie Anne Hall Smith Blues Festival will be held noon-6 p.m. Saturday on the 100 block of Dunklin Street with bands Buddha Blue, BagLunch Blues Band and the Kingdom Brothers performing. The festival occurs in conjunction with the Old Munichburg Saturday Market, starting at 9 a.m.
The festival is named in remembrance of Lorie Ann Hall Smith, who was executive director of the MO Blues Association and owned Vines on Broadway. Smith died in December following complications from a heart procedure, and Vines on Broadway, once an eclectic gathering place for local musicians and residents, officially closed Jan. 31.
“This (festival) is something that (Smith) had planned to do last year, and then we had to cancel it because of COVID. Then, she passed away in December,” said Rebecca Frederickson, president of the MO Blues Association. “We thought we should do it in her honor.”
Initially, the festival was planned earlier in the month, but Frederickson said MO Blues decided to reach out to the Old Munichburg Association, since the event would be in the area regardless.
“They have done a lot in helping us get this event planned, as have many local businesses in supporting the event,” Frederickson said. And, it’s been helpful to share some of the responsibilities.
Admission to both events — the market and the following festival — is free, but donations for the MO Blues Association are accepted. Donations will go to fund MO Blues programs, including Blues in the Schools, an educational program about the origins and continued relevance of blues music.
Due to COVID-19, Frederickson said the nonprofit didn’t have the chance to host the program during the last academic year. If they can make it happen — and they’re hopeful they can — a virtual program will be held in October, she said. Still, they’re taking it “day by day.”
The donations and the program, Frederickson said, are important because music and the arts are often underfunded in schools.
“Those are the things that they cut (first), so when we are able to go into the schools and expose these local kids to blues music, it’s frequently the first time they have ever heard of it,” she said.
In addition to donations, MO Blues will be selling T-shirts and a selection of hats with the organization name and logo.
Buddha Blue will take the stage from noon-2 p.m., with BagLunch Blues Band following from 2-4 p.m. and Kingdom Brothers closing the afternoon of blues from 4-6 p.m. The stage will be set up at the intersection of Madison and Dunklin streets.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair. Food and drink vendors will be set up around Old Munichburg, including The Tavern, selling drinks outside of their 130 E. Dunklin St. location, and MO Blues, which will have soda, water and wine available, Frederickson said. Jamaican Jerk Hut is also set to be at the event.
Frederickson said she hopes “everybody can just come out and enjoy the music and have a nice afternoon.”
“I want this to be a thing for people in this community to enjoy themselves and enjoy a little music at the same time — and hopefully raise a little money for our organization,” she said.
Following the blues festival, Eastside Tavern will be hosting a “Retro Dance Party Night” at 7 p.m. at The Tavern. More information about the festival, including weather-related updates, can be found at bit.ly/2T1omz1.