GrooveFEST: Blues Brews & BBQ is making a splash in downtown Cambridge in 2017. A new expanded menu of events and offerings will be featured throughout the afternoon into the night. Held at 447 Race Street for special events and during the free street festival along the 500 block of Poplar / 400 block of Race Streets on Saturday, September 16th.
In the afternoon between 12pm – 2pm interviews with street festival musicians facilitated by WHCP Blues program emcees Paul Clipper and Dr. Donna Flaggs followed by a 3pm guided walking tour of the people and places that inspired the name “Groove City” facilitated by Eastern Shore Network for Change. At 3pm join us for a “Mojo 101” Regional Blues Styles interactive presentation by Chris “Catdaddy” Palistrant and Adam “Deacon Blues” Nixon of the band Uphill.
The free street festival featuring Blues, Brews & BBQs takes place between 5pm – 10pm. Performances by The Young Senators Reloaded, Carolina Swampland Blues group Uphill, Baltimore based soul, funk, and blues group SoulTET, and the “real deal” blues icon Chris English performing with son Grayson English. Performances by the CSD Jazz band will also take place. All musical entertainment is FREE!
A fun kids activity is planned, a live podcast by Big Timing Comedy, and special art exhibit by RAR Brewing illustrator BJ Wheatley will also be featured during the free street festival. The wacky relay race called the Main Street Mile, sponsored by IRONMAN MARYLAND, will also make a come back!
A BBQ tasting competition will also take place including Low & Slow BBQ, Bistro Poplar, Rubba Ya Cambridge Spice Company, Stoked and more. Taste chicken, pork and beef dishes and pick your favorite dish of the day in this relaxed tasting competition. Tickets $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Tastings last from 5pm – 8:30pm. Winners will be announced that night!
The night ends with a fun POP UP After Party at 447 Race Street. Sponsored by Cabin Creek Animal Hospital and Novo Properties the event will feature a Memphis inspired food and drink menu, including specialty cocktails by Cambridge eateries. Musical performance by Fire on the Bay featuring local musician Kentavious Jones. Tickets available at $20 per person will get you food, 1 drink ticket, and live music and benefits Cambridge Main Street.
Individual tickets available for the Mojo 101 workshop, BBQ tasting, and the After Party… or pick up the VIP Ticket which gets you everything including the musician interviews & guided walking tour plus entry into the entertainers lounge and MORE…for only $55.
Tickets Available ONLINE or visit the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce at 528 Poplar Street in Downtown Cambridge.
Thank you to our lead sponsors:
