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Blues music to be showcased in concert series

For the 24th year in a row, Monroe County is proud to present another great year of celebrating Black History month with its annual Blues Series events!

The events are put together every year by the Monroe County Library system. Each event consists of a concert put on by blues groups and individual artists.

The Blues Series began in 1988, whenRobert D. Jones, a popular Detroit Radio host from the show WDET’s “Blues from the Lowlands,” was asked by the Monroe County Library system to help celebrate Black History Month.

On a Friday night at the Navarre Branch Library, Jones played and narrated blues songs for about 75 people.

“We considered that a success,” said Bill Reiser, the series coordinator for the MCLS.

“So we invited Mr. Jones back in 1989 and added a local electric blues band to the event to both increase attendance and broaden the project’s view beyond the acoustic blues of Mr. Jones.”

The next year, the MCLS met Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation. Dixon’s foundation was created to keep the spirits of blues music alive and known.

Willie Dixon is a legend of the blues. One of his popular songs is “Wang Dang Doodle.”

The MCLS was ecstatic when he agreed to take part in the Blues Series event for free.

The turn-out for that year’s event was an incredible 650 music fans. Bill Reiser and the rest of the MCLS staff knew this was a start of a great thing.

Every year since, the Blues Series has accomplished Dixon’s mission to spread the word of the blues.

Next month, the Blues Series concerts will fall on every Tuesday with the theme, “Tuesdays are Bluesdays.”

All concerts are free and require no tickets. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Feb. 1 welcomes Arthur Migliazza, a pianist who will perform at the Carelton Branch Library. The show starts at 7 pm.

On Feb. 8, the Dorsch Memorial Library is hosting another concert. The information as to who is performing has not been published yet.

On Feb. 15 will be “Bluesapalooza!” the county’s largest children’s music extravaganza. Mr. Seley & The Troublemakers will be performing fun, up-beat songs for kids to enjoy. The matinees are RSVP -only performances that will be held at MCCC’s Meyer Theater.

Also on Febr. 15, later in the evening, “The Pretty Big Gig!” will perform, also at MCCC in the Meyer Theater.

“The Pretty Big Gig!” this year is starring the blues group The Starlight Six. The concert will start at 7 p.m. and seating is first-come, first-serve.

On Feb. 22, a local Blues band, The Macpodz, will be performing at the Bedford Branch Library. This show starts at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, the annual Blues Series will end on a high note with “The Big Gig!”

This will be Monroe County’s 24th annual Black History Month blues concert, starring The Holmes Brothers, The Ebony Hillbillies, and Rev. Robert B. Jones.

The mass concert will be held at MCCC’s Meyer Theater and the doors will open at 6 p.m.

Enjoy the music and be a part of celebrating Black History Month!

For more information on Monroe County’s 24th Annual Black History Month, Blues Series, check out this website: www.monroe.lib.mi.us/blues.htm.

Or call this number: (734) 241-5770.