Riverhead Blues Festival and Johnny Winter

The Riverhead Blues Festival is a yearly tradition for me. This year being able to see Johnny Winter was a special treat. Part of the appeal is the fantastic blues and party music and the other part is the people watching. Every year, I see familiar faces and sometimes there are newbies who are interesting to watch. This year, it was the parrots who caught my attention.  They were very friendly with everyone who visited them and smiles widened on every face that walked by.

There were the regulars, too. I made up names for my favorites. Cigar Guy, Bikini Lady, Rockin’ Grandma, Cute Dancing Couple and my favorite Amarillo Slim are always fun to watch.

The music was awesome on the day we chose to go. Usually we go for the whole weekend but this year we went on Sunday. When we arrived Joplin’s Pearl was rocking the stage and wow could that girl sing! I was lucky enough to run into her later for a good photo opportunity.

We walked up the riverfront checking out the powerboats, families and dogs that hang out by the water. There is a great Turkish restaurant – Turkuaz – right on the river ( next to Atlantis Marine World) and we sat outside enjoying our fantastic gyros and blessedly cold water.

Walking back to the festival we passed the children’s carnival rides and the vendors selling their ware under tents and in food trucks. This part of the festival is free to the public. To get into the stage area and the (lovely air conditioned) Vail-Leavitt Music Hall there was a $15 entrance fee.

We visited the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s Beer Garden to try some of their ales. The summer ale was pleasant, thirst-quenching and very good, although, I absolutely fell in love with the Harbor Ale, which was a bit heavier and satisfying. Now, I need to get out to Greenport again for a growler or two. The pouring ladies were knowledgeable and friendly and spoke to me about the Brewery.

We enjoyed our beer and bopped along to Frank Latorre and the King Bees on the main stage. We’ve been fortunate to have seen this band a few times before and they are a real crowd pleaser. The harmonica riffs are awesome!  We also went inside the Vail-Leavitt to check out Ari Eisinger who picked away with perfection!

The Who Dat Loungers were up next and they were fantastic and fun. The lead singers together were something special. I was fascinated by Dawnette Darden (a Long Islander). Her range and speed were truly impressive and the whole band was super.

Then it was time for Johnny Winter to grace the stage. This was an exciting moment for the Riverhead Blues Festival. If you don’t know Johnny Winter, I really think you should look him up. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards once wrote a song for him.

Johnny Winter and his band put on an incredible show. His voice cut through the crowd and I was in awe! Bluesmen make me happy! Now Riverhead has the Mojo Boogie, too!

Look for me next year!