FEATURE 

MUNSTER BLUES & JAZZ FEST RETURNS BY POPULAR DEMAND FROM REGION FANS

 by Bill Paige 

After a year hiatus, the Munster Blues, Jazz, and Fine Arts Festival is back on this summer.  The free musical happening returns the weekend of July 10-11 on the grounds of the Munster Town Hall.    

One difference with the event is that along with the financial assistance of the Munster Civic Foundation, a not-for-profit arm of the town, the Muster Parks and Recreation Department is running the festival this year.  The Munster Chamber of Commerce had organized the show in the past.    

“The experience has been interesting so far and we are looking forward to a great weekend and lots of fun, said Chuck Gardiner, Director of Parks and Recreation.  “Our staff is great and we have many volunteers and businesses calling to lend a hand.”     

Headlining this year’s show on Saturday (July 10) is high voltage, hard rocking blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis.

Tinsley Ellis.com

Sunday’s (July 11) headliner will be the diverse blues sounds and driving guitar of Anthony Gomes.

AnthonyGomes.com     

With a good blend of Blues and Jazz, the following bands will also be playing: The Steepwater Band, Fruteland Jackson, Zyanya y Su Orquesta, Northcoast Jazz, the Garrison-Flemming Jazz Quartet, and The Mix.    

“We had a fair amount of feedback from the community that the previous fests here were heavy on the Blues side and that people wanted to hear a little more Jazz,” said Bob O’Shaughnessy, Director of Recreation.  “We wanted to have an even amount of Blues and Jazz.”    

“But we are not experimenting too much with the musical side of things, being the first year that we are doing this.  We are not changing a whole lot to the set-up from the previous years,” added O’Shaughnessy.    

Another change in the event is the name itself.  The title used to be The Munster Blues, Jazz, and Arts on the Ridge.  The wording was tweaked to incorporate Fine Arts.    

“We are showcasing Fine Art at this event and getting away from the crafts.  The festival will exhibit paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photographs,” said Gardiner.    

There will be 25 to 30 food vendors serving a wide range of tastes.  In addition, there will be a kids/family area with games and enjoyment for everyone.    

“The kids area will have more activity, it will be more interactive than in the past,” said Gardiner.    

The Munster Town Hall Grounds are located at: 1005 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana   The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday (July 10) and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday (July 11).  The music is FREE!     

For additional information the Munster Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at (219) 836-7275.