3rd International Blues & Arts Fiesta
SATURDAY MARCH 28th at the San Felipe Baseball Stadium

Blues and Arts Fiesta Raises over $65,000
The community of San Felipe and Sonshine Hacienda Children’s Home Benifit
by Robin Waters

On a sun-washed day, the last Saturday in March, on the shores of the Sea of Cortez, lay a small Mexican fishing village, San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. But that day was extraordinary; because the Lions Club of San Felipe and Mexico Living put on the largest event the community had ever seen, the 3rd Annual Blues and Arts Fiesta.

The stage was a behemoth of technology, soaring into the azure skies with a breathtaking mountain backdrop that looks like a picture postcard. About 2,000 people came from all over Mexico and the U.S. to hear great bands and cool music. As you entered San Felipe’s Baseball Field, a wonderful aroma from food vendors was wafting around the incoming crowd of spectators. Tortillas, enchiladas, empanadas, hamburgers, pizza, Bar-B-Que, fish tacos and fresh shrimp made your mouth water. Artisan booths went on and on around the perimeter with a dazzling array of paintings, sculpture, pottery, metal crafts and jewelry, including handcrafts from the indigenous Pai-Pai and Huichol Indians of Mexico.

The bands were introduced by MC Denny “Moondog” Flannigan and Co-Promoter John Pack. The bands included many award-winning groups starting with Chet and the Committee, San Diego Music Awards Best Blues Band nominee, 2007 and 2008. Second in line was Vatos Locos, 2008 Mexico Living Readers Poll winner for San Felipe Best Entertainment. Mofo Party Band kept the party going with Chicago Blues and West Coast Jump. Then the Backwater Blues Band came on strong and never stopped.

Next was Lisa Cee—and what a performance! Then as the sun was fading, Agave Blues took stage and performed one of their best ever—incredible! Shelle entertained the audience with her upbeat and sultry rhythm and blues sounds, and the audience ate it up! Back for the third year, Michele Lundeen & Blue Streak, once again, “laid it down” with their hot rockin’ roadhouse blues, classic R&B and funky soul. As the show was winding down to a close, Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys sent the die-hards home with their raw soul and groove that doesn’t quit.

The Grand Marshal for this year was none other than Sal Fish, CEO of SCORE International. For over 40 years the Score Baja 1000, 500 and 250 off-road races have attracted professional racers, movie stars and celebrities that are legendary in the Baja, and Sal Fish is the legend maker. It was a natural fit of sand, sea, music, food, arts and a caring community.

The reason for all this community effort is to help fund the health and medical projects of the San Felipe B.C. Lions Club, which includes a special Lions project, Sonshine Hacienda, a home for abused or abandoned children. Currently children, whose parents are in crisis, are bussed 125 miles away to Mexicali, where there is little room for them, and a frightening experience to be so far from their homes. The new two-story facility will house 50 children and will hopefully be completed by year end.

None of it would have been possible without the 150 volunteers from the Lions Club, Mexico Living and the San Felipe community.

If you missed it, don’t let it happen again!
Find the Blues and Arts Fiesta 2010 information at www.BluesandArts.com.
San Felipe BC Lions Club can be reached at SanFelipeBCLlionsClub@gmail.com.
Sonshine Hacienda, call (686) 577-0795 or email missionaries2@yahoo.com.

Denny 'Moondogg' Flannigan
Denny 'Moondogg' Flannigan MC for the 3rd Annual Blues & Art Fiesta 2009. Denny has appeared onstage and in concert with over 250 major acts including the Doobie Brothers, the Beach Boys, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, The BeeGee's, Tommy James and the Shondells, B.B. King and many more. He has performed in every state in the continental US. Check out Denny's new CD "Don't need no reason to Party!"
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Agave Blues
A talented group of players with a mix of original and favorites, delivered with polish and style. San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. Meet the Band: Bill Maine-Keyboards & Vocals, Jim Moore-Drums & vocals, Arturo Esquivias-Lead Guitar & Vocals, & new addtion Isaac "Page" Diaz-Bass & Vocals. Watch a Video                           

Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys
It’s not often that you get to hear a good blues band – one that has a signature sound - let alone one that continues to grow. Raw soul, a groove that doesn’t quit and dynamic echoes of the traditional blues – Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys will take you on a ride through all kinds of emotions, and you’ll like it.
Watch a Video

The Backwater Blues Band
The Backwater Blues Band is one of San Diego’s premiere Blues Bands. Special guest w/ BWBB In the World Famous Charles Burton IBC San Deigo winner! The new line up Tom Stewart Jeff Swaim Steve Welles Charles Burton Lance Deikmen. Read More...
Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak
Dubbed the "The Queen of Steam," this dynamic entertainer and her band lay down hot rockin’ roadhouse blues, classic R&B and funky soul to get you all worked up. Multiple San Diego Music Awards "Blues Blues" Nominees. Formed in 1998, Michele Lundeen and her San Diego based band Blues Streak have quickly become one of the most popular and respected Blues bands in Southern California. Watch a Video



Shelle Blue
Shelle has entertained in the San Diego area for over 15 years with her upbeat and sultry rhythm and blues sounds. She’ll get the party rolling and keep it going all night long...

"A singer's singer who surrounds her blues with a lusty voice...Musically, she is compact and muscular...She works right to an audience, doesn't miss a person in the house....It can get personal." Dave Good - Music Critic, San Diego Reader


Mofo Party Band
Old-school Chicago Blues and West Coast Jump. The MoFo Party Band is known for its energetic live performances, dynamic stage presence and loyal fan base. The band's performance almost always translates to full houses. Music aficionados everywhere have taken notice. Watch a Video
Lisa Cee
Rockin’ Blues with a funky edge. Lisa Cee’s vocals and soul keep her audience tuned in and turned on until the very last note is played. Lisa recent sang with the remaining members of the Doors at the Sundace Flim Feastival and is 2008 Star Music Award Winner for Best Blues Artist. She believes that soul is the core of music. "Many people can "sing",but to feel the music and the words and convey that to people is all SOUL".
Watch a Video

Vatos Locos
A San Felipe rockin' blues trio are veterans of all past three fiesta's and winners of the 2008 Mexico Readers poll. 




Chet and The Committee
Chet and The Committee were nominated Best Blues Band 2007 and again for 2008 by San Diego Music Awards Association. Thanks for voting us as San Diego's blues band! We've been playing the blues as The Committee around San Diego since the summer of 2001. . . I'm happy to say we've had the opportunity to share a stage with some very talented musicians.
Watch a Video

* Not in order of appearance.