
The people came prepared! Blankets and umbrellas covered the ground as far as the eye could see. Later on, due to the overwhelming size of the crowd, the fire marshal made an appearance in attempt to regulate attendance.

The people came prepared! Blankets and umbrellas covered the ground as far as the eye could see. Later on, due to the overwhelming size of the crowd, the fire marshal made an appearance in attempt to regulate attendance.

Griffin (left) and Ivy-Wyllie booked their rooms at the Marriott last January in order to experience the Blues Fest the way they wanted to: up close and personal. Hailing from Salem, they came to see Etta James (who unfortunately canceled) and Johnny

Griffin (left) and Ivy-Wyllie booked their rooms at the Marriott last January in order to experience the Blues Fest the way they wanted to: up close and personal. Hailing from Salem, they came to see Etta James (who unfortunately canceled) and Johnny

Polly O’Keary (bass/vocals) and Tim Langford (guitar/vocals) from Too Slim and the Taildraggers work the crowd.

Polly O’Keary (bass/vocals) and Tim Langford (guitar/vocals) from Too Slim and the Taildraggers work the crowd.

Dave Fling and Claire Warings (left) and Angel Cobb and Catherine Christ get into the swing of things in front of the A&E Stage.

Dave Fling and Claire Warings (left) and Angel Cobb and Catherine Christ get into the swing of things in front of the A&E Stage.

This couple came out to see Johnny Winter and stayed for the zydeco. Obviously keeping cool was a priority.

This couple came out to see Johnny Winter and stayed for the zydeco. Obviously keeping cool was a priority.

The real trick at the blues fest was trying to find a place to hunker among the crowd, which numbered around 30,000 people per day.

The real trick at the blues fest was trying to find a place to hunker among the crowd, which numbered around 30,000 people per day.

These blues hounds from Shelton, WA, have been coming to festival every year since 1992. They were keen to see Johnny Winter and Too Slim and the Taildraggers.

These blues hounds from Shelton, WA, have been coming to festival every year since 1992. They were keen to see Johnny Winter and Too Slim and the Taildraggers.

Blues belter and raunch-rock poster gal Candye Kane does Wonder Woman proud during her set at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Fest.

Blues belter and raunch-rock poster gal Candye Kane does Wonder Woman proud during her set at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Fest.

A tasty assortment of tunes drift over miles of eager ears.

A tasty assortment of tunes drift over miles of eager ears.

What’s a festival without balloon animals?

What’s a festival without balloon animals?

A comely lass shows off her gams while dancing onstage with Pete Peterson (right) and the Porkpie Septet.

A comely lass shows off her gams while dancing onstage with Pete Peterson (right) and the Porkpie Septet.

Merlin may look serious but looks can be deceiving. A 22-year veteran of the blues fest, he not only sports a passel of beads, he also throws them at the crowds. Merlin’s necklaces come direct from New Orleans and people react to his bead throwi

Merlin may look serious but looks can be deceiving. A 22-year veteran of the blues fest, he not only sports a passel of beads, he also throws them at the crowds. Merlin’s necklaces come direct from New Orleans and people react to his bead throwi

Evan Caleb drums up some support for his beloved mother, the iconic Candye Kane.

Evan Caleb drums up some support for his beloved mother, the iconic Candye Kane.

’Scuse me while I kiss the sky. Classically trained chef Ritchie Rodgers has been cruising the blues fest decked out as Jimi Hendrix for the last 3 years. “I always looked like Jimi in the ’60s and ’70s,” he says. For a nominal fee,

’Scuse me while I kiss the sky. Classically trained chef Ritchie Rodgers has been cruising the blues fest decked out as Jimi Hendrix for the last 3 years. “I always looked like Jimi in the ’60s and ’70s,” he says. For a nominal fee,

A little more than a week ago the very busy Storm Large canceled her blues fest appearance with Pete Peterson and the Porkpie Septet due to fatigue, so local showbiz veteran Ellen Whyte (right) stepped in. "This is not a bad thing," says Tom

A little more than a week ago the very busy Storm Large canceled her blues fest appearance with Pete Peterson and the Porkpie Septet due to fatigue, so local showbiz veteran Ellen Whyte (right) stepped in. "This is not a bad thing," says Tom

Zydeco star Gino Delafose and his band French Rockin’ Boogie compel feet to move. Resistance is futile.

Zydeco star Gino Delafose and his band French Rockin’ Boogie compel feet to move. Resistance is futile.
The 22nd Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival (July 2–5) began with a bang–a scintillating set by Robert Johnson acolyte ‘Keb ‘Mo. The rest of the performers were as hot as the 90 degree weather; the sultry testifying of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Johnny Winter’s Hendrix-like rendition of “Red House,” and the irresistible rhythmic pull of Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie were among the fest’s more memorable moments.
The four-day soiree saw nearly 30 performances…
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