Arts & Entertainment
Dozens of Businesses Come Together to Support Upcoming Bradenton Blues Fest
The Bradenton Blues Festival returns to downtown Bradenton's Riverwalk, December 7, 2013.
The 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival will unite, on stage, some of the nation’s most popular blues artists. But it’s also uniting area-based businesses to form common cause with one of the area's most important economic multipliers—the regional arts and cultural industry. Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organization powering the Bradenton Blues Festival, recently announced that the event has now garnered 70 area businesses, organizations and media outlets to support the event.
“We’re overjoyed to have this strong show of collaboration from our local community,” says Isham. "These forward-thinking companies and organizations join us in celebrating Manatee County’s cultural distinctiveness. As savvy business people, they understand that the arts and cultural industry is big business and that events like the Bradenton Blues Festival are a major part of how we promote our region to the world."
Isham says that BMO Harris Bank returned this year as Presenting Sponsor of the second annual Bradenton Blues Festival.
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Dave Maraman, regional president at BMO Harris Bank, says he's both a fan of the blues and a strong supporter of regional growth. "We're honored to support Realize Bradenton and its mission to transform downtown Bradenton intoa vibrant riverfront destination," he says. "A large part of our mission at BMO Harris Bank is to encourage and support cultural efforts and initiatives. The Bradenton Blues Festival not only enhances the lives of those of us who live and work here—but it also unites area-based businesses to form common cause with one of the area's most important economic multipliers—the regional arts and cultural industry."
Tom Seguin, chairman of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and owner of Suncoast Gems, also recognizes the festival's positive economic and cultural impact on Bradenton. "BMO Harris Bank and all of the dozens of other festival supporters are enlightened leaders who recognize the importance of creating events like this one that draw attention to our area. As a business sponsor I'm happy to contribute because I know that this type of event adds to the sense of place-making in Bradenton that sparks interest in the continued redevelopment of our downtown."
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Isham says that other major sponsors include Florida Blue, Urology Partners, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Manatee Printers, Inc., LA Events, and Coastal Orthopedics. A full list is at the end of this release and on the festival website.
The Bradenton Blues Festival returns to downtown Bradenton's Riverwalk, December 7, 2013. The 2013 lineup includes the acclaimed young vocalist Shemekia Copeland; the celebrated Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang; musical siblings Danielle, Kris and Nick Schnebelen of the critically acclaimedTrampled Under Foot; guitarist, singer, and songwriter Anthony Gomes; rising blues star John Nemeth; Mississippi soul-blues man Johnny Rawls; Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling band; and soulful, rising blues star, Albert Castiglia.
Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 at the gate; $25 per person for groups of 10 or more; $20 for students; and $10 for children, ages 5-12. Children four and under will be admitted free. Festival merchandise, including 2013 festival posters, t-shirts, baseball caps and a handful of last year's iconic limited-edition poster, are on sale at Keeton's Office and Art Supply, 817 Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton, and online at a site hosted by Manatee Apparel Graphics atwww.manateeapparel.com/realizebradenton/home. Shirts and hats are $20 each, or $35 for both. 2012 posters are $50. The 2013 festival posters, in a limited-edition of 200 and signed by the artist, are on sale now. Proceeds from the festival support Realize Bradenton’s downtown music and art programs.
For more information or to buy tickets, visitwww.BradentonBluesFestival.org.
The 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor
BMO Harris Bank
Hosting Sponsors
Realize Bradenton
Blues Music Magazine
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Downtown Development Authority
City of Bradenton
Blues Kings
Florida Blue
Manatee Memorial Hospital
LA Events
Manatee Printers Inc.
Pier 22
Mary GrandPré
ArteFact Design
Sarasota Magazine
SEE Magazine
Biz (941)
Urology Partners
Bryan Gordon Design
Bradenton Herald
Bright House Networks
ABC 7
Cool Cats
Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar
Coastal Orthopedics
New Orleans
Tropicana
Jeffcoat Blueprint
Mojoe Productions
Callaghan Tire
PepsiCo
SRQ Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Halfway Bar
Where Will We Go Tonight
Turner Tree & Landscape
Suncoast Gems
NDC Construction Company
Manatee Apparel Graphics
Gold Coast Eagle
Dr. Mark T. Elfervig, DDS
Duncan Real Estate, Inc.
Hampton Inn & Suites Bradenton Downtown Historic District
Andersen Racepark
Fawley Bryant Architecture
Bealls Inc.
Chicago Blues
Manatee Sarasota Eye Clinic
Courtyard Marriott Bradenton
Iaboni Real Estate Inc.
Manson Roofing Inc.
Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists
Zamikoff, Klement, Jungman, Varga, DDS
Air & Energy
Goodwill Manasota
USA Fence
FPL
Planned Parenthood
Sandbar Seafood & Spirits
Stewart Engineering Consultants
WUSF Public Media
The Eye Depot
Tidy Coast Event Services
Suncoast Blues Society
Fetch Pet Care Bradenton
Hillstrom Facial Plastic Surgery
Michael & Christy Messer
AutoNation Ford Bradenton
1st Quadrant Asset Management
Blues Bar Buzz
Ocean Blues Bar & Grill
Cork’s Cigar Bar
The Blue Rooster
Ace’s Live
Flying Dog Cafe
About Realize Bradenton
Realize Bradenton is a non-profit organization that builds community and promotes economic development through collaborative events, strategic partnerships, and interactive strategies. We help make downtown Bradenton one of the best riverfront communities in the country. For more information, visit: www.RealizeBradenton.com.
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