Blues magic this weekend at Rotorua Blues Festival

Jimmy Murray will perform at the Blues Festival asamember of Hammer On with Peri Grant. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Looking for some musical magic? Check out the upcoming Rotorua Blues Festival.

The two-day festival, run by Bay of Plenty Blues Club, involves 26 international and local bands and soloists playing at Rotorua venues.

The artists will play non-stop from midday Saturday June 3 until late Sunday June 4.

Venues include Ambrosia Restaurant and Bar, Brew Craft Beer Pub on Eat Streat, Lakeland Queen, Novotel Rotorua Lakeside and Lakeside Cafe. The festival wasn't held last year for the first time since it started in 2007 because of funding constraints.

Local performer Jimmy Murray, part of Hammer On with Peri Grant, says this will be the band's seventh year at the festival.

"It's just an amazing thing we have for Queen's Birthday Weekend. I think it attracts a lot of tourists as well."

Jimmy has been playing guitar since he was five and loves it.

He finds music therapeutic and enjoys inspiring people. Jimmy believes he and Peri complement each other. They will perform at Brew, Ambrosia and the Eat Streat Party.

"It's going to be awesome. Come along when you have the time."

Organiser Cheryl Campbell says people come from out of town and the festival is a great way to showcase Rotorua's amazing local talent.

Australian singer and guitarist Rion Lydon will lead a youth guitar workshop at Novotel Rotorua Lakeside on June 2, from 2pm to 4pm.

Cheryl says about 50 local high school students are chosen to be tutored at this workshop. Lydon will perform at Brew on June 3 from midday to 12.45pm and at the Lakeside Cafe on June 4 between 5pm to 5.45pm.

The festival will also feature American singer-guitarist Chris Cain, who is touring New Zealand. He will play at the Novotel on June 4 from 7pm to 9pm in the gala show, which will feature opening act Feenix.

Three blues items, including an original Debbie Stuart painting, a cigar box guitar blues club member Mike McMillan made and an old gramophone from club stalwart Noel Lamberton will be auctioned at the gala show.

Rotorua's Jono Breakwell will headline the Lakeland Queen Blues Cruise on June 4 from 3pm to 5pm, with support act Hammer On. Australians Dave Nicholls and Mark Porter will perform at Ambrosia and Brew over the two days.

Other performers include Mike Garner, B Side Band,Macka (Lindsay McKenzie) and Friends, Harley Cruz, Lloyd Ackroyd, Contraband and Keith and Lyndsey.

Another highlight is a three-hour concert on Eat Streat, from 2pm to 5pm on June 3 featuring Running Mint, Hammer On, Bay City Ramblers and Recliner Rockers. The festival ends with Kiwi artist Larry Morris and band at the Lakeside Cafe from 9pm to 10.30pm.

There's a monster open jam and VIP meet and greet afterwards.

Cheryl encourages people to attend as much of the entertainment is free and with performances from top-quality blues entertainers.

"Something magic seems to happen when people are enjoying music. There's just a magic
atmosphere."

Some events cost - including the Chris Cain and Feenix concert, the Blues Cruise on the Lakeland Queen and the final show with Larry Morris and band.

- For more information visit www.eventfinda.co.nz and www.bopblues.com

Shauni James is the Rotorua Weekender reporter.