Roots music diva Maria Muldaur adds her sultry voice to the Coeur d'Alene Blues Fest.
The Coeur d’Alene Blues Fest oozes blues March 31-April 2 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in north Idaho. Hear the best of modern blues at events ranging from the popular Blues Cruise to Saturday’s Main Event, featuring music by five bands including Maria Muldaur and Johnny Rawls.
The annual soul swingin’ weekend is a five-time winner of the Inland Empire Blues Society’s “Best Blues Festival” title, with good reason.
Music kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the resort with Diego Romero in the lobby followed from 4-7 p.m. by Doghouse Boyz at Whispers Lounge and Bubble and Squeak in the Terrace.
The Blues Cruise, featuring two bands playing on two boats, boards at 7 p.m. and includes music by Justyn Priest and Natasha’s Force of Nature ($37). The Sara Brown Band fires up the after-party from 9 p.m.-midnight.
Music starts at noon Saturday with Diego Romero at Whispers Lounge and the Rooftop Blues Party featuring Voodoo Church and Whack-a-Mole with special guests Elon C. Jones and Forest Govedare from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Saturday’s main event, from 4 p.m.-midnight in the Resort Convention Center, features non-stop music ($48.50, advance purchase only). This year’s headliners include Maria Muldaur, best known world-wide for her 1973 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations, and is enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere. But despite her considerable pop music success, her 60-year career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American roots music.
Bluesman Johnny Rawls has stacked up a host of awards and nominations, including Soul Blues Album of the Year for I’m Still Around, a 2018 release that reflects his Mississippi roots.
Also on stage Saturday night: SideStep with Max Daniels, Blood Brothers featuring Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, and Hoodoo Udu.
Top off the weekend with the Gospel Blues Brunch at Dockside Restaurant, served from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday with music by Voices 4 Praise.
Call 855-703-4648 for details or order tickets online.