New blues festival slated for Dec. 7, 2024

The 12-year run of the Bradenton Blues Festival came to an end when a nonprofit was
no longer able to fund the event. But the former festival’s artistic director formed a new
promotion alliance in nearby Lakewood Ranch to produce a new blues festival on the same
weekend. The inaugural Lakewood Blues Festival will take place on December 7, 2024 from
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Waterside Park in Lakewood Ranch.

Entertainment company Independent Jones, whose president is Morgan Bettes Angell,
and Paul E. Benjamin will partner on the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival. Benjamin was the
artistic director of the Bradenton Blues Festival that was produced by nonprofit organization
Realize Bradenton, whose founding director Johnette Isham died last year.

Blues artists for the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest will include Danielle Nichole
Band (Kansas City), Vanessa Collier (Dallas), Monster Mike Welch (Boston), Kat Riggins
(Miami), Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s (Brooklyn), Dylan Triplett (St. Louis), Melody Angel
(Chicago). Advance tickets are $75 each.

lakewoodranchbluesfestival.com