Louisville, KY (September 18, 2019) – In 2016, Garvin Gates Blues Festival and Kentuckiana Blues Society launched Blues In The Schools, a youth music education program. Blues In The Schools aims to educate elementary school students about the blues music genre, focusing on blues music and performers who have Louisville roots or influences. Sponsored by the Kentuckiana Blues Society, Facilities Management Services, Garvin Gate Blues Festival and Down In The Alley Records, this year’s Blues In The Schools presenters are Mark “Big Poppa” Stampley and Gino Simpson.

Building on past successes, Blues In The Schools 2019 strives to teach students that music is not difficult to learn and can be understood at any age or by anyone. Students will learn how Blues music has influenced other music genres, such as Rock & Roll, Punk Rock, Rap, and Hip Hop. The program will also illustrate the importance of the harmonica and guitar in Blues music through a live music presentation by Mark “Big Poppa” Stampley and Gino Simpson, followed by a lesson on how to write a simple blues song and play the harmonica.

2019’s Blues In The Schools Schedule:

Bloom Elementary – Tuesday, September 24; 9:00 a.m.
J.B. Atkinson Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Thursday, October 3; 9:30 a.m.
Hite Elementary – Thursday, October 10; Time TBD
Carter Traditional Elementary – Date and Time TBD
Goldsmith Lane Elementary – Date and Time TBD
Roberta Tully Elementary  – Date and Time TBD

Garvin Gate Blues Festival returns to “The Gate” for its 25th year on Friday, October 11 & Saturday, October 12. Known as the largest free street music festival in Louisville, Garvin Gate Blues Festival celebrates blues, the arts and culture. National and local recording artists headlining the 2019 festival, include Billy Flynn Blues Review featuring Wille Buck & Wallace Coleman, Studebaker John & The Hawks, Screamin’ John & TD Lind, Hazel Miller Band, Sheryl Rouse & The Bluez Brothers, Mike Wheeler Band, Laurie Jane & the 45s. To see the full 2019 lineup, click here. In addition to continuous live entertainment from some of the best blues bands, this two-day music festival will have an array of food and drink vendors, as well as over 50 artisan and craft booths.

With the festival run entirely by volunteers, proceeds from donations, sponsorships and vendor sales benefit The Garvin Gate Neighborhood Association, the historic Old Louisville preservation district neighborhood, the Kentuckiana Blues Society, and charities in and surrounding our neighborhood, chosen each year. In order to continue its philanthropic support, and to keep the festival free, Garvin Gate Blues Festival has launched a gofundme campaign with a goal of raising $2,500 before the 2019 festival. To donate to Garvin Gate Blues Festival's gofundme click here.