PAC In Conversation with George Shoenstein, PAL Blues Festival Organizer, V.P. of Golden Gate Blues Society, V.P. of Police Activities League (PAL), Founder of the RWC Blues Jam AND Band Member of Madison Blues Band.
PAC supporters will be happy to know that after a seven month hiatus, the Little Fox of Redwood City will be reopening in association with the Police Activities League (PAL) Blues Festival July 23-24. It is anticipated that new owners, Eric and Lori Lochtefeld, will open the larger FOX theatre in September. For more on the interview with George and to find out who the secret special guest is on opening night, read on!
PAC: How did you get selected to be the band for the reopening of the Little Fox?
G.S.: The new owners approached me and asked for referrals for bands to perform at their soft opening at the PAL Blues Festival. I had recommended the supremely talented Kenny Neal, winner of the 2009 Montery Bay Blues Festival Artist of the Year(M.O.B.B.A.Y.) Award. After much deliberation and the fact that the new liquor license has not yet been secured, the owners asked me do the honors and restart the Madison Blues Band, a blues band that had performed together for five years, but was currently on hiatus. I agreed, but really wanted our friend Kenny Neal to be a part of the reopening. Kenny graciously agreed and will appear as our Special Guest (A PAC exclusive SCOOP!)
PAC: What style of blues does the Madison Blues Band play?
G.S. The Madison Blues Band, featuring Kerry Daly on vocals, is a six piece Chicago and Texas style shuffling blues band mixing upbeat dance tunes with soft torch ballads. The band has shared the stage with such notable blues legends as Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Louisiana Red, Kenny Neal, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, and Lazy Lester and has performed throughout Northern California. Listen for yourself.
http://www.madisonbluesband.com/clips.html
PAC: The Little Fox reopening is in conjunction with the 5th Annual PAL Blues and Art Festival How many attendees are you anticipating and what can attendees expect from this year’s festival?
G.S.: The festival grows every year. This year over the course of the 2-day event, we expect 8,000 - 10,000 people will attend. The soft opening of the Little Fox on Friday night, July 23rd is expected to be at capacity at 240 people. Fans will be able to see all the new improvements made since the Fox and Little Fox closed last December. New features include: new TV screens, furnishings, lights and a new sound system.
PAC: Proceeds from this festival benefit the PAL activities league. Since admission is free, how is this a fundraiser for PAL?
G.S.: We are fortunate to have generous support from corporations, organizations and private sponsors that ensure that this annual music and arts fundraiser helps PAL be a self-funding organization. We’ll also be seeking donations at the event and through the sale of raffle tickets and T-shirts. One of the exciting special raffle prizes will be a blues guitar signed by Kenny Neal worth over $300 and unique festival T-shirts that say “Blues Best by Government Test” and “Get Your Blues On”.
PAC: What are the main objectives of PAL and how many people does it serve?
G.S.: Redwood City PAL is a non-profit community based organization that was founded in 1995. PAL provides intervention, prevention, and alternative programs to at-risk and economically challenged youth in Redwood City. The purpose is to help youth assimilate honest values, assets, and skills. The PAL, The Redwood City Police Department, The Redwood City School District, Redwood City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, The Redwood City community and the City of Redwood City have formed a unique public and private partnership, which is critical to provide effective delinquency outreach and prevention programs. While open to all, with low fees and financial assistance to make participation possible for more than 25,000 youth since its inception, PAL currently serves over 3,500 juveniles and their families each year in Redwood City.
Redwood City PAL Community Center 3399 Bay Road Redwood City, CA. 94063
(650) 556-1650
A D D I T I O N A L L I N K S
Madison Blues Band http://www.madisonbluesband.com/
Kenny Neal http://www.kennyneal.net/
PAL Blues Festival http://www.palbluesfestival.com/
Golden Gate Music Society http://www.tggbs.org/home.cfm
Redwood City Events http://www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us/events/
Article-Fox Theatre to Reopen Its Doors
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Redwood-Citys-Fox-Theatre-prepares-to-reopen-doors-93851889.html
New Fox Theatre Website http://www.foxrwc.com/
Art on the Square http://www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us/events/Art_on_the_Square.html
Where to Hear Live Music in San Mateo County
FOR BLUES BEYOND THE COUNTY
SF Blues Festival
To all our fans and supporters:
We regret to announce that after 36 consecutive years, the SFBF has discontinued its annual three-day festival due to economic conditions. The SFBF, however, will continue on in other capacities. Please continue to check our website for information and updates. You can help support the SFBF by purchasing past posters and other items listed on our website. Our posters are ideal for collectors, blues clubs and organizations.
Thank you very much.
Tom Mazzolini
Producer
Written by Julie Fellers, Peninsula Arts Council