How's this for traditions? Since 1992 the Phoenix Blues Society has championed blues culture and heritage with their annual live music event, the Blues Blast Festival. Historically, the festival has taken place in the city of Mesa, but this year the event will be held at theMargaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix.
According to the organization's information web page, "easy access by car and light rail all contributed to the choice of venue."
This year's lineup includes: Dave Riley and Bob Corritore, Big Daddy D and the Dynamites, George Bowman and the Baddboyz Blues Band, and the Common Ground Blues Band. Going down on Saturday, March 10, the show will be co-headlined by Phoenix blues powerhouse band, The Sugar Thieves and Rhode Island-natives Sugar Ray and the Bluetones.
The set kicks off at 11 a.m. with Common Ground Blues Band and wraps up at 6 p.m. with The Sugar Thieves. If seven hours of jamming isn't enough to quench your blues appetite you can head over to the Rhythm Room later in the evening for the official Blues Blast 2012 after-party, where your Blues Blast ticket will fetch you free admission.