The Wolfman Cometh

Even if you’re in love, you should get the blues this Valentine’s Day weekend. After undergoing mutations in its name and event location and suffering the death of its founder, the Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival celebrates its triumphant 25th anniversary all weekend, boasting a customarily robust lineup of talented singers across the blues spectrum. These include Guy Davis, the gravel-voiced acoustic bluesman and a throwback to the days of Howlin’ Wolf; Walter “Wolfman” Washington, whose brass-heavy rhythm section integrates soul, jazz, funk, and R&B; and Seth Walker, a quintessential New Orleans singer/songwriter with a gospel-tinged bent. Florida blues will be represented as well, with performances from Albert Castiglia, JP Soars & the Red Hots, Gypsy Jazz Revue, David Shelley & Bluestone, Iko-Iko, Jeff Prine, and Joey Gilmore, who will be celebrating the release of his new album, Brandon’s Blues, at his performance. The Gilmore show will take place at 9 p.m. Friday at a preparty at the Downtowner Saloon, while the rest of the performances will fill two stages at Esplanade Park, located at 400 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25 for a single-day and $45 for a two-day pass. Purchase them, and view the entire schedule, at riverwalkblues.com.
Sat., Feb. 14, 2015