This year’s KCK Street Blues Festival features a lineup of well-known local and regional blues artists performing at the Lavender ranch on June 29.
Well-known musician Danny Cox has been named the “king” of the festival this year, and will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday at the event, according to Neil Henriksen, who is helping to promote the event.
Danny Cox
Henriksen said Cox plans to start his performance with four people on stage, then they will be joined on stage by the Vine Street Rumble, a 14-piece orchestra with a lot of brass, creating rich and powerful music.
When asked what part of the festival fans shouldn’t miss, Henriksen said, “all of it.” Fans can expect quality music throughout the festival. The festival is a tribute to the heritage of blues music in the Kansas City area.
The 13th annual KCK Street Blues Festival will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Lavender’s Circle L Ranch 3924 N. 49th Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.
Henriksen said a highlight of the event will be the presentation of a lifetime achievement award for 40 years of blues promotion to Roger Naber, to take place at 7 p.m. at the electric valley stage.
There will be two stages for the festival this year, one on a hilltop for acoustic performances and another in the valley for electric performances, he said.
The acoustic hilltop stage lineup includes Jameson and Jim Mair, national anthem, 1:30 p.m.; Ricky Dotson, James Rush and Bobby Adams, 1:45 p.m., tribute to Winston Holmes and Lottie Kimbrough, part 1, at 2:30 p.m.; Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams, 2:45 p.m.; tribute to Winston Holmes and Lottie Kimbrough, part 2, at 3:45 p.m.; and Jaisson Taylor and Brandon Hudspeth with special guest D.C. Bellamy, 4 p.m.
The electric valley stage lineup includes Danny Cox, Living Heritage Tribute Show with band leaders Joe Miquelon, Kent Rousch and Vine Street Rumble, 5 p.m.; Gayle Price, national anthem, 7 p.m. Roger Naber, lifetime achievement award for 40 years of blues promotion, 7 p.m., Priscilla Bowman tribute, 7 p.m.; Stranded in the City, with special guest Andre Reyes Sr., 7:30 p.m.; and Linda Shell’s Blues Thang featuring KC Kelsey Hill, Ron Teamer and Big John Amaro, 9:30 p.m.
New this year, according to Henriksen, is a pre-festival party from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday at the same location. It will celebrate Millage Gilbert’s 81st birthday, with his band performing on the acoustic stage. The event will include the same rules, and those attending may bring coolers and lawn chairs.
Henriksen said through the years, the event’s supporters have tried to keep it low-cost and festive, with fans bringing their own lawn chairs and coolers.
Dawayne Gilley promoted the KCK Street Blues Festival during the Ethnic Festival in April at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Gilley has worked to keep the KCK Street Blues Festival going through the years. (File photo)
Originally a true street festival, the location was changed to a site with a somewhat rural backdrop, but it still has a small street festival feel to it, according to Henriksen. It will be the fourth year the event has been held at the Lavender ranch location, where the Missouri River can be seen from the top of the hill, he added. The location is one mile west of I-635 and one mile north of Leavenworth Road.
Henriksen said Frank Lavender has made a lot of improvements to the property, including a roof above the stage and additional parking. A VIP section has been created for the event, as well, he added.
This year’s event will have many vendors, including barbecue, chicken, fish and healthy foods vendors, he said. In addition, there will be jewelry vendors, a face-painting booth and other vendors.
Tickets to the KCK Street Blues Festival on Saturday are $10 each in advance or $15 at the gate. Advance ticket sales online are scheduled to end on Thursday evening.
For more information, visit https://www.kckblues.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/KCK-Street-Blues-Fest-449797298438662/.
The Grinter Jamboree will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at the Grinter barn, 1400 S. 78th, Kansas City, Kansas.
It will be Taco Night with tacos available for $1 each. The MP3 Band will perform. Admission is $6.
Some items by Lisa Coyan that will be on display at the Second Saturday art exhibit tonight at Alcott Arts Center. Some items by Kris Coyan that will be on display at the Second Saturday art exhibit tonight at Alcott Arts Center.
The Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is holding its monthly Second Saturday Art Exhibition from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 8.
The Alcott Center is spotlighting an artistic couple whose handcrafted artwork is known for its high quality, according to a spokesman for the Alcott.
Kris and Lisa Coyan’s exhibit will be in the new Mashburn Gallery at Alcott.
Kris Coyan is a member of the Woodturners Association and has created bowls, urns, boxes and other items out of unique varieties of wood.
Lisa Coyan is a jewelry wire weaver who has designed beautiful jewelry that will be on display.
Alcott’s galleries open at 6 p.m. with a reception for the artists at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is not ADA accessible.
The Alcott Arts Center has been producing theatrical productions, classes in the arts and Second Saturday art exhibitions and performances, bringing cultural events to the urban area. Many artists were from Kansas City, Kansas, and may not otherwise have had the opportunity to display their works.
The public is invited to attend and chat with staff members to voice their support for the Alcott and to pledge sponsorships.
For more information call 913-233-2787 or visit alcottartscenter.org.
