Eastside Kings Festival Celebrates Blues, Jazz, and Gospel Music

The 13th annual Eastside Kings Festival is taking place this weekend in Austin, featuring over 20 bands and artists across five venues. Scheduled for September 23-24, 2023, the festival not only showcases music but also aims to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of African American Blues, Jazz, and Gospel music.

Organized by the Eastside Kings Foundation, a local nonprofit, the festival’s mission is to highlight largely unknown African American musicians. The foundation aims to create opportunities for these artists to perform live and gain recognition worldwide. The festival’s name pays homage to a 1999 album by founder Eddie Stout, which captured the talent of many gifted yet lesser-known musicians.

Festival Highlights and Schedule

Wristbands for the festival are priced at $25 per day, while VIP badges are available for $100 per day. Both can be purchased at Antone’s Record Shop.

The festival kicks off on Friday, September 22, with an opening night party at Justine’s from 19:30 to 23:30. Performers include Hubby Jenkins from the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Shy Perry & Bill Perry Jr.. Tickets for this event are available online for $13.54.

On Saturday, September 23, the festival features a Living Blues Workshop at the George Washington Carver Museum starting at 13:00. Music, local vendors, and food trucks will be set up at the corner of East 12th and Chicon Streets beginning at 16:00. The lineup for Saturday includes:

– Hash Brown with Ted Roddy
– Veronika Jackson
– Damian Llanes, Gian Ortiz, Dan Walton
– Rosewood Soul with Sean McDonald, Xavier Shannon
– Shy Perry & Bill Perry Jr.
– Igor & Yuri Prado with Theo Anzelotti
– Kirk Fletcher
– Omar Coleman
– Jai Malano
– E J Mathews Band
– Hubby Jenkins
– Mel Davis & The Blues Specialists
– Moeller Brothers, Mike Archer, Nick Connolly
– Gregg Smith
– Stan Mosley
– Darrell Nulisch with Mike Law

On Sunday, September 24, the festival will follow a similar format, with vendors and food trucks opening at 16:20 and a car show from 16:30 to 19:00. Performers for Sunday include:

– Jake Friel with Willie Pipkin
– Pamela Allen & Co.
– Hoston-Tillotson Jazz Band with Ephriam Owens
– Veronika Jackson
– Igor & Yuri Prado with Gian Ortiz, Dan Walton
– Earnest “Guitar” Roy
– Omar Coleman
– Mzz Reese & The Reese’s Pieces with Joe B.
– Michael Hale Trio
– Goldie Pipes
– Orange Jefferson
– Matthew Robinson
– Mike Law/Moeller Brothers/Nick Connolly
– Darrell Nulisch
– Sean McDonald
– Kirk Fletcher

A detailed schedule and site map are available online at EastsideKingsFest.com. The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of the rich musical heritage that has shaped Austin’s cultural landscape.