Topic: EBA Bluesweek

[dpopple]

Another year has passed and it's that time again!

28th July to 2nd August, Northampton University.

John Miller, Ari Eisinger, Rick Franklin, Joe Filisko, Michael Messer, Scott Ainslie, Mark Graham, Diz Watson and, not least, Michael Roach.

Satisfyingly familiar but suitably refreshed too I think.

www.euroblues.co.uk

but there's a taster too:

John Miller & Ari Eisinger are playing at the Palace Theatre, Newark, Notts from 7.30pm on Saturday 27th July

A rare treat for UK audiences, I think you'll agree.

It'd be great to see you there!

[Johnm]

I'm looking forward to BluesWeek and the concert, David, and it will be great to see you there, along with a lot of other friends.  It's coming right up!
All best,
Johnm

[jostber]

Any web site and plans coming up for the 2014 week?

[Norfolk Slim]

Last news I heard on it was via Michael Messer's website.  Michael said the following a while back:

There will be a Blues Week in 2014 at Northampton University. The dates are from Sunday afternoon 27th July through to Friday 1st/Saurday morning 2nd August.

It is no longer being run by Euro Blues Promotions, there is a new company currently being set up by David Popple. We have a database of everyone who was at Blues Week 2013, so everyone will be contacted by David in due course. I am closely involved in helping David set this up, so I should be able to provide any information you need to know. Meanwhile, it will go quiet until sometime in January/February, because David is setting everything up and getting organised with this new venture.

[Norfolk Slim]

From Michael Messer's site and Facebook:

The new Blues Week is finally up & running!

Official press release >>

We're nearly there! Make sure the dates are in your diary: Sunday 27th July to Saturday 2nd August. Final line-up, a new website, prices and details of early bird discount to be announced in Newsletter No 2.

For over 14 years Blues Week in the UK has been run by Michael Roach under the auspices of EuroBlues Promotions. After another successful event in 2013, Michael returned to Washington DC. But there?s no doubt how important it is that Blues Week should continue! Remember, Blues Week is a rare opportunity to see and hear in the UK, some of the great names in acoustic blues music.

Finding great musicians that are also great teachers isn't easy. It's important to retain the reliable contribution of the best from previous years, as well as introduce new talent. We're delighted to welcome back Joe Filisko from Chicago on harmonica; Rick Franklin from Washington on guitar; Michael Messer from Buckinghamshire on slide guitar; Phil Wiggins from Washington on harmonica and Tom Feldmann from Minneapolis on guitar. There will be more names added to the tutors list over the next few weeks. There will also be some special guests and one-day visitors to perform, as well as lead a workshop.
David Popple - Director, Blues Week 2014

Read more: http://michaelmesser.proboards.com/thread/6949/blues-week-2014?page=1&scrollTo=53189#ixzz2rdAutD96

[Norfolk Slim]

Having re-posted the above press release, I feel pretty much obliged now to follow it up for fear of unwittingly misleading people.

It is almost April, and no further information appears to be available at all.  The only reference to it anywhere on the internet now seems to be a holder page, with a box to subscribe to a potential newsletter.  The Euroblues Promotions website (which ran the event until last year) links that page and says this:

"We have received several emails and inquiries with regard to details for Blues Week 2014. Yes, Euroblues is still involved in the programme and the dates are from the 27th July to 2nd August. However, Blues Week will be administered by Dave Popple who has been the coordinator for the past two years. David has set-up a new website and all interested parties should sign up to receive further details. Here is a link: http://bluesweek.co.uk/"

I am aware from the "European Blues Associates" Facebook group that people have emailed to find out what is happening, so far to no avail. 

It must be an incredibly difficult task setting up a week like this and I assume that the relevant people are concentrating on sorting everything out and can't do anymore publicity or answer queries until things are finalised.  However, many people (me included) are now at the point of finalising summer plans, time off and spending so the position is problematic.  Has anyone else heard anything they are able to share publically?

Edited to add that Michael Messer (on his forum) has confirmed that the message he originally put out (a couple of posts up this thread) is no longer salient.  He is in the same position as everyone else and has no idea what is happening.

[Laura]

Thanks for the update Simon.  It's a real shame about all this..I had to book my flights by this week to get over to the UK (the prices on everything go crazy in July due to it being school holidays) so even if it does go ahead, I'll have to miss out this year
I do hope something does get put together but I would have thought the tutors/uni booking would need to have been made by now for it to go ahead?
Anyone interested in starting a Bristol gathering in the autumn or something? Euroweenie MK2?

[Gumbo]

Ireland can be lovely that time of year

[Norfolk Slim]

Confirmation of the fate of the UK blues week this year, from Michael Messer's forum. Some encouraging news for next year though...


Hi everyone, especially Blues Weekers,

I want to update you and seek your support for a similar event in 2015.

You may recall at Blues Week 2013, hearing some discussion about Michael Roach's imminent departure to the USA with his family. At the meeting of a group of 'regulars' held during the week, there was support for David Popple, who offered to take on the organisation of Blues Week 2014 with Michael Roach's blessing.

Michael Roach had successfully organised this event for 14 years, during which time many people had benefitted from the teaching and playing skills of a wide range of tutors, and from Michael Roach's infectious enthusiasm for acoustic blues. It is a tribute to Michael Roach that so many attendees wanted the event to continue after his departure.

This morning, David Popple contacted the tutors booked for this year, to inform them of his decision to cancel Blues Week 2014, for financial reasons. We were aware of the difficulties of the last seven months, and as time went by, of the likelihood that the event would not take place this year.

We believe that the desire expressed last year by so many people to continue the event, remains, and therefore we are about to begin planning a 2015 event. Should you want to become involved in either the organisation of the week, or assist in some way during the week, please get in touch and let us know in what way you would like to help. Even if you do not wish to be involved in this way, we would still appreciate any suggestions you wish to make as to how the week can be improved. Please send these emails to dennisrigg@me.com by May 31st 2014.

We will keep you informed with our progress as things develop. All updates will be announced on this forum. We will also update via my Facebook page at - https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMesserMusic

Northampton University has been booked by us from Sunday 26th July to Saturday 1st August 2015, so please put these dates in your diary. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible there, and making up for missing the 2014 event.

We share the disappointment that many of you will feel on receiving news of the cancellation of this year's Blues Week, but we're determined that with your support, the 2015 event will be the first of many that build on all the hard work and vision of Michael Roach over the past 14 years to promote acoustic blues in Europe.

Shine On,

Michael Messer & Dennis Rigg

[blueshome]

Not a surprise. Such a shame but it will happen next year.

[Prof Scratchy]

Shame that this isn't going ahead this year. I haven't been, but those that do go give it very good reports. Meanwhile, if you happen to be in or near Edinburgh on June 29th, don't forget that John Miller is giving a workshop on EAEGBE and DGDGBE tunings! More info on John's website johnmillerguitar.com/teaching

[Prof Scratchy]

Suddenly it's June. Still time to book your weekend away in Edinburgh at the end of the month, with John Miller's workshop as a bonus on 29th June. Go to John's website for details:
johnmillerguitar.com/teaching

[Norfolk Slim]

Just a heads up for Weenies who are interested in this but don't frequent Michael Messer's forum.

Michael and Dennis Rigg had been working on a Blues Week 2015 (as per the comments / posts above).  However, Michael Roach (who has run all the previous Blues Weeks) is apparently back in the Uk and has said he will be organising a blues week instead.

It seems that Michael and Dennis will no longer be working on it, and that the work they had done on it to date is to be shelved.  More details over on Michael M's forum for those who are interested.  The long and short, however, is that the details put out previously by Michael M are no longer valid and people will have to wait for news from Michael Roach on what he is planning in due course.

 

[Prof Scratchy]

Sounds a bit messy?

Sent from my HUAWEI MT1-U06 using Tapatalk

[harvey]

Very frustrating, I don?t know the full back ground, but for those who have attended for many years it is very disconcerting.  Michael Messer (and Dennis) had an excellent teaching line up booked for 2015 and it has now gone. Some of which were also booked for the 2014 week that never took place.

I was really looking forward to a refreshed format to the week as well.