The 2nd Annual Reading Blues Fest arrives in Berks County on Friday, November 16, 2018. Presented by Berks Arts Council, the weekend long fest is the council’s newest programs. It joins local art and music programs which include Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, Concerts in the Park, and FastLane Art, to name a few.
On Friday, attend the Reading Blues Fest kickoff luncheon at The Peanut Bar. The Bluesmasters play the show. Tickets are not required, but reservations are suggested. The Arts Council recommends advanced seating for all the More Blues at DoubleTree and Downtown Venues concerts due to the size limitations of the various locations.
All of the main concerts will be held at the Reading Blues Fest’s host hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading. A welcome concert with Craig Thatcher Band and guest G.E. Smith start the festival’s main performances. Purchase a general admission ticket at the door for $59. The ticket acts as an all-day pass and provides access to the two concerts that follow the welcome show. At 8:00 pm catch A Night of Soulful Bliss with Booker T. Jones, Ruthie Foster and featuring the Doxa Gospel Ensemble. You can call it a night after the 11:30 show – Blue Jams hosted by Craig Thatcher Band and G.E. Smith.
Don’t miss a minute of the entertainment on Saturday, November 17. Purchase a General Admission/all-day pass and head to Guitar Conversations with Craig Thatcher Band and G.E. Smith in the DoubleTree’s Amphitheatre. The afternoon offers performances by Blind Boy Paxton, Chicago Plays the Stones featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks, Billy Branch, and Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperial. End the day with Tommy Castri & the Painkillers, and Blue Jam hosted by Vanessa Collier.
The Blues Fest ends on Sunday with an all-star grand finale. Enjoy the talents of Shemeka Copeland, John Nemeth and The Blue Dreamers, Clarence Spady, Nick Colionne, and Vanessa Collier. What a way to bring the fest to an end.
More details about Reading Blues Fest, show times, and artist profiles.