DAVIE — Grammy-nominated blues artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd will headline the second annual South Florida International Blues Festival hosted by Nova Southeastern University.
The event runs from Nov. 7 to Nov 9. More than 4,000 people attended last year’s inaugural festival, and organizers promise that this year’s festival will be bigger and much better.
“The festival encourages participation from a variety of constituents wanting to give back to the community and supporting the performing musical arts,’’ said Bob Sellani, associate professor at NSU and director of the festival. “It’s the reason producer Dean Randy Pohlman, myself, and many others make this happen every year.”
Sellani, who is also a drummer for the Darrell Rains band, said he is passionate about providing a venue that promotes a wide range of blues music to all generations of people in South Florida and beyond.
The free, three-day festival will feature more than 30 acts on NSU’s main campus. The festivities will take place in front of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center at 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd in Davie.
Kicking off at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, the festival will begin with performances by the winners of a blues band contest that included students in grades 12 and under.
The Delta Guitar Slingers featuring Michael Burks, Sherman Robertson and Carl Weathersby will headline the evening with a performance from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
The music will continue on Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. with Shepherd, who has had four albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard blues chart and continues to make tremendous strides in the blues music genre. He is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. following Southern rocker Anthony Gomes, who is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m.
The festival will close on Sunday with performances by Jason Ricci, winner of the Sonny Boy Blues Society Contest, the Mars Music National Harmonica Contest and the Muddy Waters Award, among others.
A selection committee formed to ensure a fresh new group of performers each year helps maintain the festival’s quality and excitement.
“You’ll expect to see the best the country has to offer in terms of blues talent. The people who are going to be performing on this stage truly deserve to be there, and all of it is happening right in front of one of Broward County’s most beautiful campuses,” Sellani said.
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Photo: Kenny Wayne Shepard
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The South Florida International Blues Festival.
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University’s main campus in Davie in front of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. in Davie.
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 9.
COST: FREE
CONTACT: For a complete schedule of events, artist performance times and event information, visit www.huizenga.nova.edu/bluesfest or www.southfloridainternationalbluesfestival.com
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