24th Ojai Bowlful of Blues

A celebration of the blues and community will take place on Saturday, September 16, when Bowlful of Blues rolls and rocks into Ojai’s Libbey Bowl. Headlining the festival’s 24th edition, direct from Lafayette, Louisiana in an exclusive West Coast appearance, is nationally acclaimed Zydeco blues band, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas. Performances at the afternoon and evening affair include the downhome, Chicago-style harmonica and vocal sounds of Morganfield Burnett & Da Blues; the seminal soul/funk/R&B group, Raw Silk; Ventura mainstays, the Gypsy Blues Band with special guest Bill Flores; L.A./Austin recording artist, Cody LePow; and special guest emcee, comedienne Denise Carter.

Ojai’s hometown American roots music festival, founded in 1983, will take place from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. A variety of food and spirits will be on hand as well as arts, crafts and blues music booths. Picnicking on the lawn is welcome.

General admission tickets for festival seating are $40 in advance and $45 at the gate and can be purchased online at bowlfulofblues.org or at a number of ticket outlets throughout the area. A limited number of reserved seating $100 VIP tickets are also available. Children 6 and under are free and youth prices (ages 7-15) are $20 at the gate only. Not allowed on entry are glass containers, alcohol, and pets.

Ticket outlets include, in Ojai: Ojai Creates!, Cardinali Brothers Music, Studio Sauvageau, and Attitude Adjustment Shoppe; in Ventura: Salzer’s Records, Coastal Postal and Video, and Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery; Thousand Oaks: Instrumental Music; Carpinteria: Island Outfitters on Linden; and in Santa Barbara, Jensen’s Guitars and Music Co.

Bowlful of Blues is presented by the Community Advocacy Coalition of Ventura County (the-cac.org) and their affiliate FM and internet radio station, Rhythm of the Coast (rhythmofthecoast.com), in association with the Kaufer Brothers, longtime producers of the event. In 2016, proceeds from Bowlful of Blues purchased instruments and amplifiers for the Ojai Recreation Center, enough to equip an entire blues-rock band. Similar donations are planned this year with hopes of adding roots music workshops and assemblies in Ventura County schools.

For tickets and information visit www.bowlfulofblues.org.