22nd Annual Sarasota Blues and Music Festival Announces Lineup

In addition to big-name artists, new VIP fan experience takes 2012 festivalto next level

 The organizers of the Sarasota Blues and MusicFestival (Twitter hashtag #SBMF) proudly announced the much-anticipated artist lineup for the 22nd annual festival on Sept. 29.

This year’s festival at in Sarasota, will feature an unprecedented gathering of blues artists including headliner and two-time Grammy Award winner Delbert McClinton and supporting acts Royal Southern Brotherhood, Ana Popovic, Curtis Salgado, Paul Thorn and prodigy act, Pett Crow. The entire day’s lineup of national acts is bigger than ever before, and strikes a chord with its blues roots while offering festivalattendees a taste of country, rock and top 40. Tickets are on sale now.

Festival producer Three Zebras Entertainment will turn Ed Smith Stadium intoblues central for the huge one-day music celebration. Drawing fans from across central Florida, the Sarasota Blues and Music Fest will once again establish the city as a weekend destination with this longstanding tradition of music, fun and family-friendly entertainment.

This year’s festival will offer VIP ticket buyers food and beverage service, upgraded beer and wine and a separate restroom area, all of which will be in close proximity to the artists on stage. To make this year’s festival more family friendly, fans with kids can try out The Family Fun Zone, a kids’ area with amusement rides and games. The whole family can come out and enjoy the day (and night) with entertainment for everyone!

“Ensuring families have a great time from the moment they enter the gates is a big part of how we approached the festival this year,” said Bill Haggett, General Manager of the Sarasota Blues and Music Fest. “And continuing the tradition of bringing the best of the blues to Sarasota is apparent in the all-star lineup this year. We can’t wait for September 29^th!”

Tickets to the 22nd Annual Sarasota Blues and Music Festival are on sale now and are available at sarasotabluesfest.com. Gates open at 11 am September 29, with musical talent starting at noon and lasting until the festival’s end at 10 pm. Advance sale general admission tickets are $22 and children under the age of 14 are free with paid adult admission. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $75.

About The Sarasota Blues and Music Festival

The festival actually started as the Sarasota Blues Fest in 1991 by the SarasotaBlues Society as a way to celebrate the blues in the Sarasota community. Thefestival has a rich history of finding and showcasing young talent while also bringing accomplished musicians to the community. Numerous Grammy® Award winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have graced the stages over the years and the festival seeks to continue that tradition as the Sarasota Blues and MusicFestival. Partial proceeds from the event have always been earmarked for charity, and the All Faiths Food Bank Backpack Program will be the 2012 recipient.

About Three Zebras Entertainment:

As the entertainment division of event ticket company ExtremeTix, Three Zebras Entertainment services the arena, venue and festival communities with a complete range of production, entertainment, event management, booking, programming and consultation services. More information can be found at www.threezebras.com.

Festival Website: www.sarasotabluesfest.com

Festival Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SarasotaBluesFest

Festival Twitter Feed: @SarasotaBlues

Festival Hashtag: #SBMF