Sure, the headliners get most of the attention.
But the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival wouldn't be a summertime staple for Portland-area residents if it weren't for the many workshops, small stages, cruises and after-hours events that fill out the lineup.
Here's a look at what this year offers alongside the main events. (You can download this handy pdf schedule.)
Cruises
For the first time this year, action on the water kicks off before the festival proper with the Delta Music Experience Hoodoo Moon Blues Cruise, featuring Blues Hall of Famer Joe Louis Walker, Tad Robinson Band with Alex Schultz, Too Slim, the Hell Hounds and Ellen Whyte Sextet. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. 21 and older.
This year there are three cruises in the afternoon, giving families plenty of options to hear music on the water. The Rollin' on the River Dance Cruise features the Dusty 45s, Worth, Ray Bonneville and Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes with Randy Chortkoff. 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4. All ages.
The Driftin' Cruise brings Portland luminaries such as the Reggie Houston Trio with Janice Scroggins together with Long Beach, Calif.'s Mighty Mojo Prophets, Backyard Blues Boys and Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps. 2 p.m. Friday, July 5. All ages.
A favorite that grew out of the Between Friends showcases at previous blues festivals, the Sail on Sister Cruise, features blueswomen from the Northwest such as Lady Kat, Sonny Hess, Linda Hornbuckle, Lisa Mann and Lady A. Also on the bill: Kelly's Lot, Mary Flower and Arthur Migliazza. 2 p.m. Saturday, July 6. All ages.
And as always, there are a few options for folks who want to party far into the night. New Orleans' Hot 8 Brass Band and Blind Boy Paxton lead the lineup for the Midnight Shanghai Cruise, which also includes such high-energy acts as Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs, Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme, Lauren Sheehan, and the Boyd Small Band with Josh Fulero and Lydia Warren. 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 5. 21 and older.
The Rock the Boat Dance Cruise has "Southern fireball" Nikki Hill leading a bill that includes St. Louis vocalist Kim Massie, backed by Seattle's Solomon Douglas Quartet. Also adding their flair to the dance party: John Primer and the Real Deal, David Vest, Alan Hager and Dave Fleschner. 10:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6. 21 and older.
Tickets for afternoon cruises are $25 in advance, $30 at the dock. Tickets for nighttime cruises are $35 in advance, $40 at the dock. Proceeds benefit the food bank.
All cruises board from the seawall at the foot of S.W. Salmon Street and Naito Parkway.
After-hours jams
You'll hear a lot about the main stage acts during the blues fest, but if you're looking for gigs with a loose, party-like vibe, don't miss the late-night jams off site.
Portlanders know these are some hot tickets -- the second and third nights this year, featuring Robert Randolph and the Family Band, North Mississippi Allstars, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Allen Stone -- are already sold out.
But you can still boogie the night away on Independence Day with saxophonist Patrick Lamb and special guests, including guitarists Tim "Too Slim" Langford and Jennifer Batten, and big-voiced vocalists Duffy Bishop and Tad Robinson. 10:30 p.m. July 4, Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. 21 and older.
Just a stone's throw away at the Hotel Fifty, Soul Cookin' -- seasoned blues players Carlton Jackson, Chris Carlson, Dover Weinberg and Dave Kahl -- host what they're calling a "blues potluck" but sounds more like an old-fashioned jam session each night of the festival. Guests will vary, but Franck "Paris Slim" Goldwasser, guitarist for the Mannish Boys, joins the action on July 5, and Bishop lends her vocal chops to the group on July 7. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. July 4-6, 8 p.m.-midnight July 7, Hotel Fifty. 21 and older.
Workshops, activities and more
It's the Fourth of July weekend, so of course you want to know about the fireworks. Yes, pyrotechnics will light the waterfront Thursday night, following the national anthem performed by Linda Hornbuckle. It's the largest fireworks display in Oregon, so get there early to grab a good vantage point. 10 p.m. July 4, Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
For blues practitioners, the FedEx Crossroads Stage offers workshops with artists such as Joe Louis Walker teaching blues guitar, and Earl "Washboard" Sally demonstrating zydeco rub-board techniques.
Year in and year out, the infectious sound of zydeco music has been a favorite for families. The Zydeco Swamp Romp runs Saturday afternoon and evening and continues at midday Sunday. Among the acts on tap are zydeco stars Chubby Carrier and Horace Trahan with their respective bands. Between sets the blues fest offers zydeco dance lessons and demonstrations.
And because this is all for a good cause, we can't neglect to mention the food bank's Freedom from Hunger Center, a way for kids to learn about hunger issues in Oregon while participating in fun activities and winning prizes.
Also in the good-for-you category is the Health Net Pavilion, which offers free health screenings during the festival, including vision, hearing, blood pressure and diabetes tests. Should you want them, you can also pick up earplugs.
-- Jillian Cohan Martin
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