Downtown Carnival Wednesday – Monday Rotorua restaurant precinct
Showcasing blues musicians from our region and around NZ – plus our very special guests, the 2009 Sydney Blues Society Performer of the year Ali Penny and Sydney based singer/songwriter/guitarist Dean Haitani. Ali and Dean will make their first appearance in Rotorua on Wednesday 2 June at the BOP Blues Club/Jam night at the Belgian Bar in Arawa St.   Partake of the hospitality of Rotorua’s cafes and bars while being enjoying a variety of music from jazzy-blues to classic blues, and everything in between. Bands will play continuously throughout the weekend in ‘Eat Streat’ and nearby locations, including Rotorua’s ‘home of the blues’, The Belgian Bar. ROTORUA NIGHT MARKET    In the Heart of Tutanekai Street between Haupapa and Pukuatua Streets a unique boutique style market every Thursday night from 5.00 p.m. On Thursday the 3rd June from 5.30 p.m. the Night Market is delighted to be hosting Ali Penney and Dean Haitani, who will be heading the line up for the annual Bluesfest in Rotorua this Queens Birthday weekend.  Ali and Dean will be supported by local Bluesmen and NZ festival favourites, The Mike Garner Band. The Rotorua Night Market website: www.rotoruanightmarket.co.nz
Hot Club Concert Saturday 5 June 6 – 9pm Novotel Rotorua Quintette du Hot Club de France was a jazz group founded in France in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Regarded as one of the earliest and most significant continental jazz groups in Europe, the band remained active in one form or another until 1948. The Quintette was described as "one of the most original bands in the history of recorded jazz." Their most famous lineup featured Reinhardt, Grappelli, bassist Louis Vola and rhythm guitarists Roger Chaput and Joseph Reinhardt (Django's brother).
Hot Club Sandwich began in 1992 at a Radio NZ recording session at which pianist Terry Crayford and singer/guitarist Andrew London collaborated for the first time. Lots of jazz standards were recorded in a continental ‘Hot Cub’ style and such a splendid time was had that it was decided to do some gigs with a third party invited to be the Sandwich ‘filling’.
Over the past 15 years, HCS have played well over 1,000 live gigs with guitarists, violinists, sax players, bass players and harmonica players making up the ‘sandwich’. They have played Arts and jazz festivals throughout New Zealand and ventured overseas to Australia and Norfolk Island. Humour plays a large part in their live shows and everyone has a good time! Tickets $30 from Ticketmaster. A ‘Hot Club’ menu and bar facilities available. Novotel Rotorua, Saturday 5 June, 6-9pm. poster
Blues Cruise on the Lakeland Queen Sunday 6 June, 3 - 5pm Enjoy a leisurely two hour cruise aboard Rotorua’s very own Lakeland Queen. The ‘Queen is modelled on the Mississippi river boats, which are shallow draft, stern driven paddle steamers designed for shallow rivers, making the boat ideal for Lake Rotorua with its shallow lakebed. Her background also makes it fitting that she be host to the genre of music so prevalent on the Mississippi.
	Indulge in some delicious treats especially prepared by the Lakeland Queen’s own chef and a glass of wine (or two) while BluesFest headliner Ali Penney does her best to rock the boat with her own brand of blues, soul and boogie. Ali is a well-known piano player, vocalist and writer of considerable regard and her experience in the blues is extensive. In 2009, she won The Sydney Blues Society Performer of the Year. She is a professional musician who has been performing, recording, and composing music in bands for over 15 years.
Tickets from the Lakeland Queen, Lakefront Drive, Rotorua. Phone 0800-LQCRUISE (0800-572784) or book direct from the website: www.lakelandqueen.com $35 includes cruise, show, nibbles and a glass of bubbles on arrival. Earlybird price $29, available until 31 May 2010. poster
Rockshop Youth Guitar Workshop & Competition Sunday 6 June
New to the festival this year, the Rockshop Youth Guitar competition has been introduced to encourage and showcase our young guns! Some of NZ’s best musicians have been discovered through competitions such as this. Open to contestants aged between 13 and 20, there will be some great prizes for the successful finalists.  First prize is a Marshall MG15FX amp. Entry fee $25 Download entry form Contact: Heather Vail   blues@paradise.net.nz press release poster press release 2
Targa ‘Streat’ Party Saturday 5 June, 4.30pm Eat Streat Meanwhile, the original reason for how Bluesfest came into being is the Targa Rally and once again it is back in town and the cars will be coming into the city on Saturday evening for their annual show off at the ‘Show n Shine’ Event. It’s a great chance to talk to the drivers and learn more about the rally. The ‘Targa Streat Party’ runs from 4 – 6pm and features Hamilton’s rockabilly band, ‘Johnny Stash’.
	Righteous Roots Music played like it used to be with hot guitar, smokin' drums and upright double bass."Johnny Stash" offer a bouncy time with their own brand of Jump Blues and Rockabilly. Their swinging style is heavily influenced by music of the 1940's and 50 's Including Louis Jordan, Roy Brown, Fats Waller and Willie Dixon but there are also elements of 80's New Wave, Reggae and R'n'B.
Bluesfest HQ is at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside The hotel is only minutes from the city centre, cafés, restaurants, Rotorua Convention Centre, Energy Events Centre, and major tourist attractions including water activities on the lake, a golf course, museum, and thermal reserves
ENQUIRIES:   Sally Garner, Festival Organiser.   Phone 027 273 8881    Email:  click here
Accommodation providers:
Novotel Rotorua Regent of Rotorua