Blues In Schools: Bringing Cultural Arts Directly to the Youth

Sept. 7, 2008 - PRLog -- Durham, NC--- In an effort to encourage arts education for Durham youth, the St. Joseph's Historic Foundation has announced its Blues In the Schools residency schedule.  Every year, since 1998 the foundation has coordinated its Blues school residency with its popular Bull Durham Blues Festival.  "We see our efforts in reaching out to the young people in our community as a way to bring arts education into their classroom's," states Dianne Pledger, President and CEO of the foundation.

Prior to the Blues Festival's kick-off event, Thursday evening, September 18th at the Hayti Heritage Center's Performance Hall, Scott Ainslie & Ernie Hawkins will perform at The Durham Academy, September 15th twice. First in the classroom (9:00-9:45 am), and later that morning at a school assembly (10:15-11:00 am). September 15 & 16 and 17th,Wsir Johnson will present a "Diddley Bo Workshop" at W.G. Pearson Magnet School for their art and music classes. September 16th, Scott Ainslie & Ernie Hawkins perform at the Hayti Heritage Center for the Heritage Arts for Youth organization at 10:30 am.   Admission is $5.00 per student, teachers and chaperons admitted FREE.  Call for reservations, as space is limited.

The dynamic duo of Scott Ainslie & Ernie Hawkins make a guest appearance at the WD Hill Recreation Center, September 16th at 5:30 pm. Holt Elementary School and Durham School of the Artswill have Scott Ainslie & Ernie Hawkins entertain them on September 17th. Times to be announced. Shepard Middle School will be entertained and educated by MSG The Acoustic-Blues Trio on September 18th at 10:00 am.

During the Bull Durham Blues Festival, a KIDSZONE will be operational, September 19-20th, with Wsir Johnson entertaining the kids from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

This year marks the 21st annual Bull Durham Blues Festival, complete with a new time, new location and new website address on the Internet.  "We're excited and looking forward to partying at the DBAP (The Durham Baseball Athletic Park)!  Our line-up is awesome, with  Taj Mahal, Marcia Ball, Clarence Carter and so many others---we're ready!", says Pledger. To learn more about this year's Blues Festival, get directions, or to purchase tickets, visit  http://bulldurhamblues.org

About the Blues Festival: : The Bull Durham Blues Festival is a program of the St. Joseph's Historic Foundation, Inc. produced to serve multiple purposes; to provide an increased awareness and appreciation for the BLUES as a unique African American art form that is reflective of the African American experience; and for Durham's rich musical heritage in the BLUES, particularly as a showplace for the Piedmont/Carolina blues styles made popular in this part of the southeast; and to provide financial resources.

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