Blues Festival at NSU Now Free of Charge

Kenny Wayne Shepherd to headline festival Nov. 7-9 featuring more than 30 blues acts and two local high school blues bands

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – With current economic issues leaving many people singing the blues, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is pleased to announce that the second annual South Florida International Blues Festival being held on NSU’s main campus Nov. 7-9 is now free of charge for all three days. Grammy-nominated blues artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd will headline the festival, featuring more than 30 acts on NSU’s main campus in Davie in front of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center at 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd.

“We recognize that many people are struggling in the current economy and want to assure the community is served in tough times as well as good times,” said Randy Pohlman, Ph.D., dean of NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. “The festival will offer a great chance for people to have an escape from financial worries and enjoy some terrific national and local blues acts.”

The festival will run:

Friday, Nov. 7, from 5-11 p.m.
Highlights include: The Delta Guitar Slingers featuring Michael Burks, Sherman Robertson and Carl Weathersby.

Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon-11 p.m.
Highlights include: Southern rocker Anthony Gomes and headliner Shepherd, who has had four albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard blues chart.

Sunday, Nov. 9, from noon-6 p.m. 
Highlights include: Janiva Magness, a two-time winner of the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Female Artist of the Year and a nominee for the 2008 Blues Music Award for the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award.

In addition to the professional talent appearing throughout the weekend, the Blues Festival will also showcase the musical talents of students from two local area high schools. The University School Blues Band and Hialeah Senior High School Blues Band will open the festival on Friday evening with performances on the main stage.

The blues festival will feature two main stages outdoors on the library grounds plus performances at the Flight Deck on the first floor of NSU’s University Center, located next to the library. A complete schedule of events, artist performance times and event information is available at www.southfloridainternationalbluesfestival.com.

On Friday, middle and high school students are eligible to win a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Students can register for the scholarship drawing at www.southfloridainternationalbluesfestival.com and must be present on Nov. 7 to win. A Paul Reed Smith Mira guitar will also be given away on Friday night. Registration for the free drawing is available at www.southfloridainternationalbluesfestival.com or onsite at the blues festival. Registrants to the drawing must be present to win.

A canned food drive to benefit the Cooperative Feeding Program is being held all three days of the festival. Cans of food can be donated in exchange for tokens good for $1 off food and beverage purchases at the festival. A maximum of three cans per person per day may be exchanged for tokens, but there is no limit on how many cans can be donated.

Media Contact:
Alan Hancock, NSU Office of Public Affairs
(954) 262-5385 Office, hancocka@nova.edu

Felecia Henderson, NSU Office of Public Affairs
(954) 262-5315, fhenders@nova.edu