Hicks won the BMA for Best Emerging Artist for his 2021 CD release, Harlem <\/em>on Provogue Records.<\/p>\n New to the festival this year is Bruce Katz<\/strong> <\/a>who continues to have a distinguished career spanning over five decades. He has toured the world with a Who\u2019s Who of legendary artists including, Ronnie Earl, Gregg Allman, Delbert McClinton, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, among others. Currently Bruce performs non- stop with The Bruce Katz Band, as a power trio with Bruce on keyboards, Aaron Lieberman on guitar, and Ray Hangen on drums.<\/p>\n Also making his debut this year is Dave Keller<\/strong> <\/a>from Montpelier, Vermont who has been influenced by the likes of Mighty Sam McClain, Ronnie Earl, Robert Ward, Johnny Rawls, and Otis Clay. A tireless performer and prolific songwriter, Dave Keller is someone to watch closely as he continues to advance his career with his award nominated \u201csoul drenched\u201d work and infectious personality.<\/p>\n Also, on the line-up this year are the following:<\/p>\n In addition to Shemekia, Solomon and the above-mentioned performers, the lineup also includes Lehigh Valley favorites, including the Craig Thatcher Band with Special Guest, Mike Guldin, The BC Combo, Pentley Holmes, the Mississippi Pig Farmers, Norman Taylor, and Tavern Tan.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAfter 15 months of Covid related \u201cworkarounds\u201d in all aspects of our work, we are ecstatic to be able to present the 13th<\/sup> Annual Allentown Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival this summer. Working with our partners \u2013 the city, our board, volunteers, and other downtown stakeholders \u2013 we will produce this high- caliber Blues music festival with a wide range of musical talent. That\u2019s what people have come to expect from us and that\u2019s what they\u2019ll get on July 31st<\/sup>!\u201d Miriam Huertas is the producer of the festival and the senior vice president for the Allentown Chamber.<\/p>\n Now in its 13th<\/sup> year, Allentown is proud to host this community event which also features delicious barbecue and a variety of other specialties, including, Mr. BBQ 911, Grumpy\u2019s BBQ, the Allentown Bull & Bear restaurant, to name a few. Other vendors include, Chocolate Moonshine specialty chocolates, Habby Fruit salsa and barbecue sauces, and blues fest favorite, Funtastic Faces & Body Art face painting and henna.<\/p>\n Blues Fest also features alcoholic drinks \u2013 domestic and craft brews (Allentown BrewWorks), mead from the Colony Meadery, and new this year, cocktails from Allentown distiller and the main sponsor, Mishka Premium Vodka.<\/p>\n This event is open to the public free of charge.<\/p>\n The musical lineup is complete, our bricks and mortar businesses and vendors are ready to host you \u2013 make plans to join us for a fantastic day of live music and great food and drink in Downtown Allentown.<\/p>\n For more information on what to expect, check out DowntownAllentown.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: <\/strong>Saturday, July 31, 2021<\/p>\n Time: <\/strong>12 Noon \u2013 10 p.m.<\/p>\n Where: <\/strong>Hamilton Street from 6th<\/sup> to 8th<\/sup> streets and 7th<\/sup> Street north and south<\/p>\n What: <\/strong>Music and food festival, featuring Blues music and all styles of barbecue, plus great crafters, and non-food vendors.<\/p>\n Presenting Sponsor \u2013 City of Allentown<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021 sponsors <\/strong>include, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Air Products, Alvin H. Butz, Bell Hall, blended by Br\u00fc Daddy\u2019s, Br\u00fc Daddy\u2019s, City Center Allentown, The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Mishka Premium Vodka, The Morning Call, PPL Center, PPL, PSECU, and RCN. (Effective June 18, 2021.)<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n About the Chamber: <\/em><\/strong>The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Allentown, PA \u2013 June 18, 2021 After a one-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance in partnership with the Allentown Chamber of Commerce and … Continue reading ALLENTOWN ANNUAL BLUES, BREWS & BARBECUE FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 13TH YEAR ON SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2021!<\/span> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/4984ShemekiaCopeland_0408_byMikeWhite-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>Headlining this year\u2019s festival is multiple award-winning Blues superstar, Shemekia Copeland<\/strong><\/a>. Shemekia has grown to become one of the must-see artists on the Blues and Roots music scene in the world today. With a recording career that dates to 1998, she proved she is on top on Sunday, June 6, 2021 in Memphis, TN at the Blues Music Awards (BMA). Shemekia was the evening\u2019s big winner with three awards, including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer of The Year award, the Contemporary Female Artist of The Year award, and Album of the Year award. \u201cShemekia Copeland is a powerhouse \u2013 a superstar. She can do no wrong.\u201d Rolling Stone Magazine<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2380-King-Solomon-Hicks-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Also, headlining this year is King Solomon Hicks<\/strong><\/a>, the 26-year-old guitar phenom from Harlem, NY. King Solomon is an American guitarist, songwriter and composer who is fast becoming a household name.<\/p>\n\n
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\nMiriam Huertas
\nSr. Vice President of Allentown Initiatives
\nGreater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
\nhttps:\/\/www.lehighvalleychamber.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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