Blue’s Festival To Hit Camden This Summer 29th May – 5th June For a truly soulful experience, head to The Blues Kitchen in Camden for their hugely popular week long Blue’s Festival taking place on Sunday 29th May until Sunday 5th June. The Blues Kitchen will kick-off each evening with a stellar line-up of rhythm and blues talent, served alongside a menu of soul food and a fantastic collection of American whiskies, bourbons and ryes. There’s even the chance to learn how to play the harmonica and to swing dance. Line-Up Drop in to the festival to hear a whole host of emerging and established music talent including Mud Morganfield (the son of the legendary Muddy Waters), Mark Flanegan (widely known as Jools Holland’s guitarist and has played with Paul Weller, Amy Winehouse and Eric Clapton), Ian Siegal (award-winning blues artists) and Jack Rabbit Slim (the UK’s top Rockabilly outfit) amongst many others. On the final day (Sunday 5th June), a selection of the festival’s top performers will return for The Sunday Blues Jam and Festival Closing Party. Food & Drink Hit the Blues Kitchen any evening during the Festival and experience a real taste of the Deep South with their taster paddle. As well as featuring a paddle of six rye whiskies including the full-bodied Pikesville Supreme Rye Whiskey and the aptly named Jacquin’s Rock and Rye infused with rock candy and oranges, there’s a finger-licking sharing plate for two, piled high with sweet potato wedges, buffalo wings, BBQ ribs, padron peppers, delicious homemade chilli, dips and tortilla chips (£12 per person). Bespoke cocktails inspired by the evening’s line-up will be on offer throughout the festival. Try the ‘Mudslide’ (Mud Morganfield), the distinctive ‘Split Hog’ (The Groundhogs) or the refreshing ‘Hillbilly Rock’ (Jack Rabbit Slim). For those looking for a great deal, head to The Blues Kitchen early doors and enjoy a starter, main and any cocktail for just £10 per person between 6 – 8pm. Typical dishes include Cajun blackened shrimp, seafood jambalaya and their famous New Orleans gumbo - a generous dish of chicken, smoked sausage, sweet potato, tomato, beans and pepper, topped with a grilled king prawn and served with Cajun rice. Free Harmonica or Swing Dance Lesson - 31st May & 4th June And for those looking to pick up a new skill, there’s a free harmonica lesson at 4.30pm on the May Bank Holiday with professional teacher Captain Bliss. Or why not get your 50’s swing on by treating yourself to a Blues & Swing Dance session by Swing Patrol on Saturday 4th June at 4.30pm. Forget portaloos and those muddy wellies this year, and come and sample the very best in live blues and soul food in the heart of Camden. The Blues Kitchen, 111-113 Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JN. T: 020 7387 5277 [email protected] www.theblueskitchen.com twitter.com/TheBluesKitchen www.facebook.com/The-Blues-Kitchen For more information or images, please contact Stuart Singer or Francesca Smalley at Roche Communications on [email protected] or [email protected] T: 020 7436 1111 Notes to editors: The Blues Festival will run from Sunday 29th May to Sunday 5th June. For the full festival line-up please visit www.theblueskitchen.com/whats-on or find enclosed. The full rye taster paddle cost £12 per person and includes - Pikesville Supreme Rye Whiskey, Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Wild Turkey Rye, Rittenhouse 100 Straight Rye, Jim Beam Rye, Jacquin’s Rock and Rye as well as a food sharing plate. The Blues Festival Line-up Festival Day 1 - Sunday 29th May MUD MORGANFIELD (Muddy Water’s eldest son) Mud does not make it over to play in the UK very often, this is his first London appearance since he last played the UK two years ago. Mud is more than a pastiche, he is a genuine artist who happens to sound like his legendary father! THE CAEZARS - The UK’s freshest new Rockabilly band. These young teenage upstarts are not just part of the UK’s Rock ‘n’ Roll / Rockabilly scene, they are also attracting a large amount of attention from the mainstream. This special Bank Holiday show sees them back in London after touring with the UK’s hottest new act - The Vaccines. Festival Day 2 - Bank Holiday Monday 30th May BIG JO LOUS & HIS BLUES KINGS Festival Day 3 - Tuesday 31st May MARK FLANEGAN Widely known as Jools Holland’s guitarist and right-hand man, Mark has played with everyone from Paul Weller, Amy Winehouse, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. A rare opportunity to see this fantastic guitarist do his own thing for one night! 7pm - Midnight - Free Entry Festival Day 4 - Wednesday 1st June IAN SIEGAL Ian played the Blues Kitchen Festival last year and was so popular that he was asked back. For this show Ian will begin with a solo set and then be joined by The Blues Kitchen very own band for a full-on electric performance. Siegal is one of the finest blues men in the UK right now with influences ranging from Howlin’ Wolf and The Band. Festival Day 5 - Thursday 2nd June THE GROUNDHOGS This is a very special London Show for the Groundhogs, with an original line-up featuring guitarist Tony McPhee. Expect to here classics from their Split album. As well as having a wealth of fantastic material of their own, The Groundhogs were also recruited as John Lee Hookers band back in 1964. They also backed Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and Champion Jack Dupree Festival Day 6 - Friday 3rd June GUMBO RUMBLE w/ SLIMS CYDER CO / CHARLIE HANGDOG & THE LOWDOWN HIGHS / ANNA THE HULAGAN (Fire Eater) Another installment of Gumbo Rumble, a monthly revue show at The Blues Kitchen - Vintage Tunes, Flamin’ Hot Mamas & Shakin’ Booze action! “Don’t just sit there and Grumble, come to the Gumbo Rumble”. Festival Day 7 - Saturday 4th June JACK RABBIT SLIM Widely thought of as the finest Rockabilly outfit in the UK - expect a scorching show from JRS. Festival Closing Party - Sunday 5th June .