Berks Arts Opens 7th Annual Reading Blues Fest on Friday, Nov. 22 at DoubleTree
Berks Arts is excited to open the 7th annual Reading Blues Fest on Friday, Nov. 22 for three days of concerts, most of them held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Hotel.
Berks Arts’ tribute to one of America’s greatest art forms has become a popular destination for fans of blues and its many related genres, with performances by artists representing the best of Georgia, Texas, Memphis and Chicago, as well as the East Coast.
“Berks Arts is looking forward to presenting another great blues fest,” said Tish Davis, Berks Arts executive director. “The all-star lineup will provide our fans the opportunity to enjoy the diverse styles of blues music.”
Blues fans who want to get an early start can attend a community concert presented by the Mount Penn Preserve Partnership and Dave Kline Productions, hosted by the Reading Liederkranz, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, beginning at 6 p.m. with Busker Incognito and The SHOW, and headliner The Trudy Lynn Blues Band at 8 p.m.
After the traditional kickoff lunch at the Peanut Bar at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 22 with Berks County’s own Bluesmasters, opening night of the Blues Fest will feature singer/pianist/songwriter Victor Wainwright and his band, bringing high-octane roots music to the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom. Also performing that night on the same stage will be the amazing singer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Vanessa Collier and her powerful mix of funk, soul, rock and blues.
Though his career began over a decade ago with genuine rock n’ roll honky-tonk, Wainwright has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of the roots music world – entertaining his loyal fans and making new fans everywhere he performs.
"If you wanna boogie, you need to get aboard the train,” said Wainwright. “Get yourself a ticket and enjoy the ride.”
Saturday will be, as always, a busy day, with young guitar phenoms Ally Venable and Solomon Hicks headlining in the Grand Ballroom at 1 p.m.
Venable, a native of Kilgore, Texas, brings her blues/rock songs and super guitar skills to Reading, along with her band, which has supported Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. In 2022, Guitar World Magazine named Venable #2 on the list of “top 15 Young Guns Making the Gibson Les Paul Cool Again,” and she received the Road Warrior award from the Independent Blues Music Awards.
Harlem-born Hicks is known for his dazzling riffs on guitar, as well as his skills as a vocalist and songwriter. Solomon won the 2021 Blues Music Awards for Best Emerging Artist for his 2020 album, “Harlem,” and he was WXPN’s “Artist To Watch” for August 2020. He has shared stages with Buddy Guy, Samantha Fish, Tony Bennett, Mavis Staples and many others.
At 8 p.m. that evening, Alexis P Suter and her band will raise the roof of the Grand Ballroom with her explosive, soul-baring songs. The six-piece APSB skillfully combines blues, soul and rock. Suter is a three-time nominee for a BMA and accolades pour in for the band, which broke through as regular performers at Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY. Levon was captured by what he called Alexis’ “wonderful spirit” and had the band open for him nearly 100 times.
Along with Suter, Southern Avenue, the first Memphis band signed to Stax Records in four decades, will bring their high energy to the concert. They won the 2018 BMA for “Best Emerging Artist Album” for their eponymous debut album, and they earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Blues Album for 2019’s “Keep On.” They have performed in 15 countries on three continents and have become a must-see band at countless venues and festivals.
Sunday morning brunch will be served for ticketholders at 10:30 in the Grand Ballroom, followed by a concert featuring bluesman Bernard Allison, for the grand finale of the festival.
Allison performs on the same guitar as his late father, Luther, and has been influenced by the same classic blues greats. At 13, he played on one of his father’s live recordings, and after honing his chops as lead guitarist for Koko Taylor, he has become a force on his own. The Blues Reincarnation Project will open the brunch show.
Also on the schedule will be popular Reading Blues Fest regulars Dave Keyes with Carly Harvey, and the Dave Mell Blues Band. And the Reading Musical Foundation will sponsor a guitar workshop, hosted by Dave Kline, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the DoubleTree Amphitheater.
For more information, including a complete schedule and artist bios, and to purchase tickets, visit www.readingbluesfest.com.