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Blues at the Arch Festival

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Experience Blues at the Arch like never before, Aug. 12-14

North Gateway

Gateway Arch Park Foundation is pleased to host our seventh annual Blues at the Arch, this year reimagined as a destination festival, taking place Aug. 12-14!  After the last two years of virtual concerts, we're especially thrilled to announce the *in-person* return of this tradition.

This popular end-of-summer celebration pays tribute to St. Louis' storied blues history and showcases the talents of national and local artists.

Produced in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, this free festival is the only one of its kind to take place on national park grounds. And for the first time, our 2022 Blues at the Arch Festival will feature food trucks, a market, a poster contest, after-parties and more!

Mark your calendars and plan to join us at the Arch on Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 14, for an incredible St. Louis weekend.

Poster Contest: Calling all St. Louis Artists

Gateway Arch Park Foundation (GAPF) and National Blues Museum (NBM) are seeking artwork from a diverse group of artists for a festival poster to be used for our Blues at the Arch Festival, held on the grounds of America’s 60th national park. We want to feature not only local musicians, but local artists, too! GAPF and NBM intend to commission one individual artist to create the festival poster. Learn more and apply by June 1!

Friday, August 12

Schedule

5:00 – 5:15 p.m.: House music
5:15 – 6:15 p.m.: Annika Chambers
6:15 – 6:45 p.m.: Announcements / House music
6:45 – 8:00 p.m.: Marcia Ball

Marcia Ball

“Fifty years have passed in a flash,” says Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist, songwriter and vocalist Marcia Ball of her long and storied career. Ball, the 2018 Texas State Musician Of The Year, has won worldwide fame and countless fans for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she takes the stage. 

Read More at http://marciaball.com/

Annika Chambers

ANNIKA CHAMBERS, like so many powerful vocal artists, can trace her love of music back to early childhood. “I grew up singing in the church,” she says. Not that she had to tell us. Citing the gospel influences of Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples and Whitney Houston, you can’t help but feel the Spirit moving through the entire room when Annika throws herself into the heart of a song.

Read More at https://www.annikachambers.com/

Saturday, August 13

Schedule

12:00 – 12:15 p.m.: House music
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: House music
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.: Ms. Hy-C
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Announcements / House music (stage break)
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Circus Harmony
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.: Line dancing (crowd participation)
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Jeremiah Johnson
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.: House music
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Keesha Pratt Band
6:30 – 7:00 p.m.: Announcements / House music
7:00 – 8:15 p.m.: Selwyn

Matt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch

Born in 1997 in St. Louis Missouri., Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch started playing guitar at the age of 11 and started out playing mostly rock and hard rock.  By the age of 12 he took a serious interest in blues and started studying the masters such as Albert King, B.B. King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.  At the age of 16 he was taken in and mentored by local blues legend Big George Brock and quickly became Big George’s lead guitar player.  

Read more at https://mattrattlesnakelesch.com/home

Ms. Hy-C

Ms. Hy-C & Fresh Start, led by Saint Louis born, Jacinta Branch-Griffin, exudes a high-energy, soulful, blues entertainment experience with powerful vocals that gets the crowd up on their feet dancing. With a rich history connecting back to Mississippi born Blues legends and pioneers of Rock and Roll such as Chuck Berry, Albert King, Johnnie Johnson, Barbara Carr, Jerry and the Soulful Fly, Buddy Eights, Ike Turner, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters. 

This well seasoned band encompasses Chicago blues, Rhythm and Soul Blues. Ms. Hy-C & Fresh Start are Foyo Entertainment’s 2016 Best Blues Band winners. St. Louis Blues Society's Road to Memphis Winner and First Place Band Winner of the 2019 International Blues Challenge. Their latest single, I’m Going to Memphis, shows their love of the “Real Blues” and determination to follow their dreams.

Circus Harmony

Hurry, hurry, hurry step right up!! The circus is coming! Circus Harmony’s St. Louis Arches will amaze, entertain, and inspire you with their fabulous feats of skill and daring. This show is brought to you thanks to the support of the Regional Arts Commission and the Mayor’s Downtown Engagement and Public Safety Initiative. The show will feature daring feats by Circus Harmony’s St. Louis Arches. To learn more about Circus Harmony and how your child (or you!) can run away and join the circus bit still be home in time for dinner, visit: www.circusharmony.org. Bring your cameras and #WatchOutForFlyingChildren

Read more at https://circusharmony.org/

Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson is a 2022 Blues Music Award Nominee for best Blues Rock Album. 

Five Time TOP TEN BILLBOARD BLUES ARTIST.

“Named one of the 75 Modern Blues & Blues Rock Artists You Must Hear 2021” --Rock & Blues Muse

“One of the hottest prospects on the blues scene over the last decade.” --Rock & Blues Muse

Jeremiah Johnson blends the sounds of the south, with Mississippi River blues and a touch of country flair. Emotionally charged southern blues rock, powered by the common man’s passion for life and all the struggles in-between. Songs with meaning, a powerfully persuasive voice and master class musicianship. “Unemployed Highly Annoyed” has caught lightning in a bottle with this masterful snapshot of these difficult times and is truly a testament to his talent. Possibly the best record of Johnsons career, born from the most challenging time in his life as a musician.

Read more at https://www.jeremiahjohnsonband.com/

Keesha Pratt Band

Singing since the age of six, Keeshea Pratt has shared the stage with several notable national figures including bluesman Bobby Rush, Eddie Cotton, opera singer Grace Bumbry, soul singer Musiq Soulchild, and gospel icon the late Reverend James Moore.

Pratt has accomplished what few Mississippi based singers before her has ever achieved: The ability to attract fans from all walks of life without ever straying from the intricate roots that nurtured her awarding winning voice in the first place.

Read more at https://keesheapratt.com/

Selwyn Birchwood

Groundbreaking young blues visionary Selwyn Birchwood released his highly anticipated third Alligator album, Living In A Burning House, on Friday, January 29, 2021. The rising guitar and lap steel player calls his original music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” defined by raw and soulful musicianship played with fire-and-brimstone fervor. His gritty, unvarnished vocals draw his audience deep inside his unforgettable tales of love, passion, pain and pleasure. No other band on the current blues scene is built quite like Birchwood’s. In addition to Selwyn’s electrifying guitar and lap steel playing, the other featured instrument is Regi Oliver’s driving baritone sax. The group is rounded out by bass, drums and, for the first time, keyboards.

Read more at https://www.selwynbirchwood.com/

Sunday, August 14

Blues Brunch

Join us for a Blues Brunch at 612North, right next door at Laclede's Landing, with a magnificent view overlooking Gateway Arch National Park.

This event is ticketed, and space is limited. A portion of Blues Brunch proceeds will support future Blues at the Arch festivals and programming. Stay tuned for more information about how to purchase brunch tickets.

Other Activities

Guests are encouraged to explore the National Blues Museum and Gateway Arch National Park! Peruse the free Museum at the Arch, watch the "Monument to the Dream" documentary film or take a tram ride to the top to see the breathtaking views.

Sponsors

Produced by

Gateway Arch Park Foundation

In Partnership with

National Blues Museum
National Park Service

Fan Sponsor

Greater St. Louis Inc.

Supporter of the Blues