Every Labor Day weekend, Hot Springs gets a big case of the Blues. No, not because summer is coming to an end. The Spa City Blues Society brings its Hot Springs Blues Festival to town for a weekend filled with local and nationally recognized Blues artists.
The 17th Annual Hot Springs Blues Festival will be Aug. 30-Sep. 1, 2013, but “unofficial” events start Wed., Aug. 28. The Hump Night Blues Jam will start at 8pm at the Ohio Club. Thursday, Aug. 29, kicks off the pre-party event at 9pm with Samantha Fish at the Ohio Club. Friday’s “Official Kick-off Parties” will be held at Big Chill, Ohio Club, Fat Jack’s, and Classics Bar & Grill. Gates and shows open at 2:30pm on Saturday at Hill Wheatley Plaza (on Central Ave.
one block south of Bathhouse Row), and the last band starts at 8:30pm. After-Parties begin at 9:00pm at Big Chill, Ohio Club, Fat Jack’s, and 3 B’s Bar. The music starts again on Sunday at 1:30pm and the last band takes the stage at 8:30pm, but the after-parties will once again keep the music going starting at 9pm.
Weekend workshops will be held at STAR Gallery, 610A Central Ave., on both days. Food and beverage will be available on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as artists selling jewelry, artwork, and Spa City Blues Society merchandise. Weekend passes to the festival are only $15 per person, and single day passes are $10. Hot Springs lodging will be difficult to find on Labor Day weekend, so make your reservations now while rooms are still available!