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Doesn't it seem as if there are a hundred music festivals coming our way this summer?

Here's another one:

The South Sound Blues Association will embed its Back to Beale Street Blues 2011 competition into Gig Harbor's annual Maritime Gig Festival, which will be held June 5 in downtown Gig Harbor. We posted the press release after the break:

Come be a part of the fun! This is the one Gig Harbor event you definitely don't want to miss. The Maritime Gig Festival activities will take place downtown along Harborview Drive, between Pioneer and Rosedale, and along the waterfront near Jerisich Dock and Skansie Brother's Park. From SR 16, take the "City Center" exit, and travel downhill on Pioneer Way. Harborview Drive between Pioneer and Rosedale will be closed to traffic on the day of the festival, and parking will be limited close to the festival site, so look for parking as you come down Pioneer Way. Get ready for fun... Gig Harbor Style!  This is an all age family event. www.maritimegig.com

The Back to Beale Street Blues 2011 event is a judged competition in which musicians perform in front of a panel of three judges.  The acts are judged based on an established set of criteria; Blues Content, Talent, Vocals, Originality and Stage Presence. The top four bands from Maritime Gig Festivalwill advance to the finals that will be held at the Tacoma Freedom Fair and Air Show on July 4th on the Duke's Chowder House Blues Stage.  The winner of the final band competition will compete at the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee, in February 2011.  Over a hundred bands from around the world will compete in Beale Street clubs.  The top ten bands will square off at the famous Orpheum Theatre on February 5, 2011.

The Maritime Gig Festival Back to Beale Street 2011 Schedule:

BACK TO BEALE STREET BLUES 2011 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION

3:00 - 3:25 PM       The Al Earick Band

3:40 - 4:05PM        The Chester Dennis Jones Band

4:20 - 4:45 PM         The Michal Miller Band

5:00 - 5:25 PM         Sea-Town Rhythm and Blues Players

5:40 - 6:05 PM          Cold Shot

6:20 - 6:45 PM          The Herbert Friendly Trio

7:00 - 7:25 PM         The Randy Oxford Band

7:40 - 8:05 PM         The Cody Rentas Band

8:20 - 8:45 PM         The Stacy Jones Band

9:00 - 9:25 PM         Tanita Stone Band

9:40 - 10:05 PM       The Mike Wright Band