Abundance of treats on offer for blues buffs

FEELING BLUE: Platinum award-winning Hollie Smith will perform in Rotorua in May. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua blues fans will once again have the chance to see seasoned international, national and local blues performers, including platinum award winning artist Hollie Smith.

Bay of Plenty Blues Club president Shay Dender said its annual Blues Festival would start on May 27 and continue over Queen's Birthday weekend on Eat Streat.

It was a great opportunity to see some talented young musicians, as well as established musicians perform, he added.

"It is a great family-friendly event. People travel from all over the country to come to it.

"We advertise it in Auckland and Hamilton.

"We will showcase quite a few bands in the Bay of Plenty, it is an opportunity to see young talent."

Blues musicians will perform at the Thursday Night Market as well as at venues along Eat Streat.

The event, which is in its ninth year, also features the Blues Cruise, which gives people an opportunity to sail on the Lakeland Queen while listening to performers, Mr Dender says.

The festival has a strong focus on youth with international blues artists Isaiah Brunt and Andy Phillips holding youth workshops as well as performing.

Smith is set to perform on the Saturday night of the weekend.

He said the weekend was expected to pull a large crowd, and was another exciting event on the calendar of New Zealand's music scene.

"In previous years, some of the restaurants and pubs on Eat Streat reported it was the highest weekend of earnings they had all year, it's been a very successful weekend."

-Visit www.facebook.com/bopblues or contact Shay Dender at info@bopblues.com or (027) 5508 7444 for more information.