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 acclaimed 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.
This year the festival is expanding to three days of events:
- On Aug. 11, in partnership with Media Sponsor WFHB, we will present a free preview at 11 a.m. during "Saturday's Child" at the Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St., featuring artists to be announced. Listen live on WFHB or join us at the History Center!
- On Aug. 12, activities take place outside and inside the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., with free performances outside at 1 p.m., and ticketed performances in the John Whikehart Auditorium later in the afternoon.
- More free performances begin at 8 p.m. at Bloomington Boogies After Hours at Malibu Grill, 106 N. Walnut St.
- On Aug. 13, we present concerts for students, faculty, and staff at Fairview and Templeton Elementary Schools and at Tri-North Middle School, followed by free piano workshops at the schools.
In 2017, we presented public performances on August 13 and school concerts and workshops on Aug. 14. We also partnered with The Ryder Magazine and Film Series in screening I AM THE BLUES, a film of interest to blues and boogie woogie lovers, offering free admission for anyone with a festival ticket stub.
Bloomington Boogies has presented some of the best blues and boogie woogie pianists in the world, along with outstanding Zydeco accordionists, Gospel pianists and world-class percussionists. Artists have included 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. We have also presented professional swing dancers.
Please explore our festival website to see what is in store this year - and click below for photos and videos from
