The weekend of gallery receptions and free concerts, dubbed “Ladies Sing the Blues,” went off without a hitch as the soggy weather patterns continued.
Audiences were treated to a mix of original, classic and contemporary blues performed by some of Long Island’s top female singers and musicians. Local musicians Kim Kuperschmid and Diane Hoffman joined a lineup that included Sweet Suzi and the Blues Project, Pamela Betti, Gail Storm and the Pat Hunter Project, who performed at the library throughout the weekend.
The festival, which is hosted by Artists in Partnership and the library, opened with an art and photography exhibit on June 24 at the library. Two days later, Evers Place at 949 W. Beech Street hosted a second exhibit. The theme of both was simply “blues.”
“People were enthusiastic,” said Program Producer Johanna Mathieson-Ellmer. “They stopped me to say how much they enjoyed the event and to say thank you for bringing the “blues to the barrier beach.”
Mathieson said she pulled the exhibits together simply by working with other Long Beach art groups. Putting together the concert series, however, proved more
challenging.
She applied for a grant with the Long Island Arts Council and the New York State Arts Council, and secured $1,500. To raise more funds, she recruited other local contributors, including the library and local merchants.
“Cooperation and enthusiasm were truly in evidence, enough so that plans are already in the works for the 2nd annual Blues event for 2010,” Mathieson said.
