CdA to launch first winter blues festival

Those suffering from the winter blues may find relief by getting even bluer.

A first-ever Coeur d’Alene Winter Blues Festival is heading to town Feb.16-18 and one organizer said it will help fill a gap in community festivals during the snowy season.

“The Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce has wanted to create a winter kind of event, and a blues festival was really right up that alley,” said Bill Reagan with the Coeur d’Alene Resort, which is hosting most of the music acts.

“Coeur d’Alene is really developing itself as an arts community and this is just one more expansion on that theme.”

Several out-of-town music acts will be playing on four different stages in the resort, including Nicole Fournier & Her 3-lb. Universe, Lloyd Jones Struggle and Too Slim and the Taildraggers.

The event is coordinated with the 9th Annual MARTi Gras Benefit, put on by the Art on the Edge program in Coeur d’Alene.

During Saturday night’s Cajun Cook-off, diners can sample southern dishes from five different restaurants and participate in New Orleans culture with beads, masks and live music.

“To combine the MARTi Gras with music, it’s really exciting,” Reagan said.

The idea for the blues festival came from watching how tiny Ritzville, Wash., held its own summer festival. Since then, organizers have been crafting an event for Coeur d’Alene, which will include Paul deLay’s Blues Cocktail Cruise on the lake Friday night and a gospel choir Sunday brunch.

Children will also be busy on Saturday as they participate in a Kid’s Carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tickets are selling well, Reagan said, possibly because the event takes place during the three-day Presidents Day weekend, and most activities are indoors.

“The weather’s not going to hurt us either way,” he said.

Some of the saxophone players on various downtown street corners may hope for some warmer temperatures, though, he said.