The 2007 San Felipe Arts
and Blues Festival
The
Art portion of this year's festival was well attended
and detailed a group of artists that stretched down
a good portion of the Malecon. The mediums represented
were diverse and ran the gamut from glass to stone.
Crowds of vacationers and Spring Breakers tilted their
heads and stroked their chins at the rich selection
of work. Artists struck up conversations with interested
passersby and friends bumped into each other with the
usual regularity a small town accords.
The Blues part of the event was a mixed
experience, according to one attendee. While the music
was very satisfying, the number of ticket holding patrons
was abysmal. Between 12 and 15 was one estimate. The
cost of tickets was the reason cited. Forty dollars
to attend the two day event, or twenty five for a single
day. The four or five bands were spread out over an
eight hour period, which virtually required an audience
member to warm a bench for the whole day. Paper wrist
bands were 
provided
to indicate a single or double day participant but the
organizers apparently didn't consider what would happen
to flimsy bracelets if a two day attendee wanted to
shower after a night of dancing. Scissors and scotch
tape were not provided.
If there is another Blues event planned
for next year, perhaps two or three stages might be
assembled on-site and instruments and equipment prearranged
so the bands could play back-to-back and a person wouldn't
have to oscillate for an entire day to catch all the
music available. Or maybe three or four venues could
be used and ticket holders could roam between locations
to hear the various musicians.
Below are
Links to both the Blues and Arts
This year's (2008) Blues and Arts Festival
will be held at the Baseball Diamond. $10 advance tickets.
$20 at the door. Click HERE
for the poster. Click HERE
for the site.
