2017 BLUES PARTY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST

Saturday Oct 212017 Blues Party
Doors at 5 pm / Music at 7:30 / $20 admission

Friday Oct 20
Free Pre-Party with Howard “Guitar” Luedtke
Doors at 5 pm / Music from 7-10 pm

The historic Silver Dome Ballroom is pleased to present its seventh annual Blues Party, so named in honor of the late, great Hubert Sumlin, the legendary Howlin’ Wolf guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, who was booked to play the inaugural Blues Party in 2011.  Sadly, Hubert was hospitalized a couple of days before that show and never played again, passing away a few months later.  Blues Party was the name of Hubert’s first solo recording following Howlin’ Wolf’s death and we’ve kept the name to honor Hubert’s memory.  This year’s party features the following outstanding artists:

LIL ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS – Descended from Blues royalty (JB Hutto was Ed’s uncle) and arguably the finest Chicago Blues Band in the world, bar none, period.  Ed has had the same band for 30 years now and, during that time, has cranked out 11 albums chock full of great Blues originals.  Guitar Player Magazine calls them “a snarling boogie-blues machine.”  Always a blast and sure to fill the dance floor.

STUDEBAKER JOHN & THE HAWKS – A highly regarded singer-songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player, John grew up playing in the famous Maxwell Street area of Chicago and has since released 18 albums of mostly original Blues and Blues-Rock music.  He sometimes works as bandleader and featured sideman for Muddy Waters’ son, Mud Morganfield, and some of his songs have appeared in film and television soundtracks, including the hit TV show, “24.”  Another high-octane set sure to fill the dancefloor.

CRANKSHAFT – Alex “Crankshaft” Larson is a Mpls./St. Paul-based singer-songwriter and guitarist who plays a brand of Roots-Rock and Blues that he simply describes as “Original Music from Anoka County, Minnesota.”  He often plays with his band, The Gear-Grinders, but for this show, he will be performing his “one-man-band” routine, simultaneously playing guitar and drums/percussion, from on top of our “cooler stage,” located behind and above the Silver Dome’s circular bar.  Our “cooler stage” has become a popular way to start any evening of music, offering a great visual as well as musical experience, and Alex is always a great party-starter.

HOWARD “GUITAR” LUEDTKE – Chippewa Falls resident, Howard Luedtke, is widely regarded as one of Wisconsin’s finest Blues guitarists, singer-songwriters and performers.  Howard will open the festivities on Friday, October 20th, with a free, solo performance from about 7 – 10 pm, also from high atop our “cooler stage.”  Again, the “cooler stage” offers a tremendous visual as well as musical experience and did we mention that this pre-party was FREE, FREE, FREE?!

Also serving food and drinks.  Free camping in the surrounding lot.