The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) regrets to announce that due to financial challenges, the 2015 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, planned for LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa, September 5 and 6, has been cancelled. The MVBS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, had started the festival over 30 years ago to create a live music festival to expose the regional area to the native art form of blues-related music, and to raise awareness and funds for blues education programs. Since then, MVBS has presented over 1,000 local, regional, and nationally known acts, and has become an award winning, top Blues festivals in the country.
According to MVBS President Steve Heston, "We are not able to proceed with a major event this year, so we will instead concentrate on continuing our existing programs, look to build funding, and possibly hold a festival in 2016."
Some of the current programs of the MVBS include an active Blues in the Schools educational program that reaches over 7,500 students annually, as well as our Concert Series that brings live blues to the Quad Cities, and our radio shows on KALA. The MVBS has one of the most active Blues Education programs of any Blues Society in the country. Each year, the Blues Society plans and coordinates 4-9 weeks of Blues in the Schools programming. This includes 4-5 week-long artist residencies and one month-long summer residency. Performances are free, and expose a wide segment of our community to blues-related music and the rich history and heritage of that music.
"We are saddened to have to make this decision; however, if we take this opportunity to re-group and are able to gain some financial support, we can come back next year with some world-class musicians playing the blues."
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