The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival
August 11 - 13, 2018 Bloomington, Indiana
The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival - known as Bloomington Boogies - features acclaimed piano players, dancers, food and beverages. With free and ticketed performances at multiple venues and free educational components, the 2016 festival was voted one of the top 10 festivals in Indiana!
Our mission is to present piano players in ticketed and free performances and to present free educational programs, so that young people and young pianists are exposed to world-class artists in Bloomington, Indiana.
In 2018 the festival expanded to three days of events:
- On Aug. 11, in partnership with Media Sponsor WFHB, we presented a free preview with standing room only, live on WFHB's "Saturday's Child," at the Monroe County History Center, with Cynthia Girtley, Alfred "Uganda" Roberts, Craig Brenner, Joe Donnelly and Lori Brenner.
- On Aug. 12, activities were outside and inside the Ivy Tech Waldron Arts Center, with free performances throughout the afternoon and ticketed concerts in the Whikehart Auditorium at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- More free performances began at 8 p.m. at Bloomington Boogies After Hours at Malibu Grill.
- On Aug. 13, we presented concerts at Fairview and Templeton Elementary Schools and at Tri-North Middle School, and free piano workshops at the schools.
In 2017, we presented public performances on August 13 and school concerts and workshops on Aug. 14; and we partnered with The Ryder Magazine and Film Series in screening I AM THE BLUES, a film of interest to blues and boogie woogie lovers, with free admission for those with festival tickets.
Bloomington Boogies has presented some of the best blues and boogie woogie pianists in the world, outstanding Zydeco accordionists, Gospel pianists, world-class percussionists, and professional dancers. Artists include Bob Seeley, Henry Butler, Marcia Ball, Carl Sonny Leyland, C. J. Chenier, Rob Rio, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Bill Sims, Jr., Mark Braun - aka Mr. B, Josh Paxton, Cynthia Girtley, Ricky Nye, Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes, Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues, Katharina Alber, Cassidy Gephart, David Barry, Mike Lucas, Craig Brenner, Ross Martinie Eiler, and Michelle Brentano. Our rhythm section has included Alfred "Uganda" Roberts/congas, Gordon Bonham/guitar, Joe Donnelly/sax, Ron Kadish/bass, and Dan Hosteler/drums.
Explore our website and click below for photos and videos from past festivals.
