Delta Blues Symposium celebrates 100 years of Delta culture
Cecily Kennemore
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Entertainment
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The symposium, which is scheduled to begin Thursday, April 2, consists of panel discussions, poetry readings, blues music history, scholarly paper readings and musical performances.
This year's symposium, which coincides with ASU's Centennial Celebration, is titled "Celebrating a Century of Delta Culture."
According to Symposium Director Richard Burns, the 3-day event is unique in its combination of academics and musical performances.
"It's contributed to putting ASU on the map," Burns said.
Gregory Hansen, co-coordinator for the symposium, said the event "is really something unique to this university."
"Even if you're not interested in the blues, you'll find something interesting [at the symposium]," Hansen said.
Also, blues musician Lemuel Sheppard will perform in a concert Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts building's Recital Hall.
In addition to performing music, Sheppard will talk about the heritage of the blues.
Hansen, an associate professor of English and folklore, said the concert isn't a lecture.
"It'll be a great concert for someone who is kind of new to the blues," he said.
The symposium will conclude on Saturday, April 4, outside the Student Union on the Heritage Plaza lawn with a free concert.
The concert begins at 12:30 p.m. and consists of three performances.
The first performer, Valerie June, is from Memphis, Tenn., and has been featured as part of radio station KASU's Bluegrass Monday concerts.
The second performer Saturday will be Terry "Harmonica" Bean, a blues musician from Mississippi.
The Bluesberry Jam Band, from Jackson, Tenn., will be the last group to perform.
Following this third performance, there will be an open mic/jam session.
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