Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Each year since 1995, some of the biggest names in blues music have taken the stage at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida. Blues enthusiasts from all over the world come to scenic Vinoy Park to watch good ole’ Blues music right on the waterfront. Plenty of plush grass and palm trees along Vinoy Park, makes this the perfect tropical setting for one of the world’s biggest and best blues concerts.

This event is so fitting for our first blog because we’ve been following Johnny Lang all over the place. Stevie Ray passed away just a few years before, and we were ready for a new legend to be born. When we lived in Portland, Oregon, we saw Jonny perform with BB King. I think he was only 17 at the time! Likewise, when we lived in California, we saw him at a Blues Fest on the Russian River. I have to say, Johnny is getting better with age!

Our experience begins heading to Vinoy Park at 7pm. It’s a beautiful 80-degrees, the sunset is spectacular, and it’s perfect weather for a little white dress and scarf (I love scarves). I have to mention that just twenty-four hours prior, my new pet sitter mentioned that she’s attending the Blues Fest this year. If it wasn’t for her, we would have missed it! So grateful my husband is flexible and we’re off to this rockin’ event. 

Parking was easier than we expected - we found a free spot along 5^th Ave., just a few blocks from the gate. But it can run as high as $20 for all day. Although, parking one’s favorite two-wheeled ride at the park’s entrance is the best way to go. Man, I wish I didn’t sell me motorcycle in times like these. I guess it’s the call of the wild for me when I see one beauty lined up after another like that.  Similarly, at the ticket booth, the guy gave us a discount and sold us our tix for $50 for the pair. Tell me where you can see any concert for $25 these days and at such an amazing venue? We continue through all the vendors and the smells are driving us crazy from bbq pulled pork, Cuban sausages, honey glazed chicken. But our tummies have decided for us and we find our favorite “blues grub”, crab cakes on a bed of salad with a light yogurt dressing, not bad for $10 each. Next stop, Booth of Big Bad Margaritas. Their premier margarita is called the Big Blues Margarita, how practical, because we’re thirsty. It’s perfect, cold and refreshing.

As the sky goes into a twilight glow, the park seems half full, and some people are leaving after their long day of blues and sun. It’s 8pm, we find a place to sit in the grass and eat our grub (remind me to bring beach chairs next time). After we downed our Big Blues, we mingle are way up closer to the stage. Johnny and his hot guitar are all light up. He also brought four friends from all over the states, all equally talented. We look for a group in the crowd, who like to dance (I remembered why I didn’t bring my chair). I can’t watch Johnny Lang sitting on my behind.  Johnny is in good form, he even seems to have matured a bit (style-wise) taking his time with the song and letting us (his fans) enjoy the ride a bit more.

http://www.tampabaybluesfest.com/

 Johnny Lang

Blues Fest at Vinoy Park

Vinoy Park along Tampa Bay

(these boats get to enjoy the music for free)

Paula Deen's Crabcakes

Prep Time:20 min

Cook Time:18 min

Level:Easy

Serves:4 to 6 servings

 Ingredients

• 1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells
• 1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)
• 3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Dash cayenne pepper
• Flour, for dusting
• 1/2 cup peanut oil
• Favorite dipping sauce, for serving

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce.

Dante's Margarita Recipe

Prep Time:10 min

Level:Easy

Serves:8

"Rose's Lime, 100% Blue Agave and Grand Marnier with a fresh squeeze of lime juice. It goes down fast on a hot day and hard to have just one of these."

Ingredients 1 cup Rose's Lime Concentrate 1 cup Grand Marnier® 2 cups 100% Blue Agave Tequila

3 cups lime juice 2 limes, quartered splash of orange juice on top for color

Directions

Fill chilled and salt-rimmed glasses with ice. Combine the tequila, Rose's sweetened lime juice, more lime juice -- and pour this into each glass.  Just save a little room to finish it off with a shot of Grand Marnier and a splash of OJ. Top it off with a lime wedge.