BLUE JAM - President's Weekend
in Honor of Black History Month
February 13-15, 2010

Dear Friends and Community Members,

In honor of Black History Month the Big Picture Theater & Café in Waitsfield, VT is proud to present Delta Groove Music blues/roots legend Bill Sims Jr. and harmonica virtuoso Mark Lavoie on Sat. Feb. 13th at 9pm.

Help us celebrate the history of the blues with this distinctive American blues/roots duo.

Bill Sims Jr. learned his lessons well while majoring in music and having the privilege to play with many great Blues Legends that performed at the University: Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Freddy King, the Ojays, Jerry Butler and many more. He is currently considered one of the best musicians in the New York Blues scene. He tours both domestic and internationally and was music technical advisor on the set of "Cadillac Records", a movie about Leonard Chess and the artist on the Chess Label, birth of the Chicago blues. He taught actor Jeffery Wright (who played Muddy Waters) how to play in the blues style that Muddy was playing when Alan Lomax discovered him in 1940. Bill also performed all the acoustic soundtrack work on the film.

Mark Lavoie has been performing for crowds both large and small for more than 30 years. His passion and commitment to blues harmonica, is admired by the many musicians who have played with him. Mark enjoys spreading the word about harmonica music and is an active member of national groups working to preserve and promote the harmonica as an accessible, inexpensive instrument.

Mark had the opportunity to travel and perform with Sonny Terry, harmonica virtuoso and half of the popular duo Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, during the ‘70s. Mark has recorded with many Vermont musicians, from John Gailmor to Big Joe Burrell. He is part of a duo, Cooper and Lavoie, who play regularly at special events, clubs, and ski areas throughout Vermont.

Bill & Mark have most recently played in Paris together (Heritage Blues Orchestra) and have toured many clubs and festivals around the world over the past three years and were just invited to play the prestigious Mississippi Valley Blues Festival this July.

As part of the event the Big Picture Theater will screen the last episode of a PBS documentary "An American Love Story" based on the story of Bill Sims and Karen Wilson -- a black man and white woman who have struggled for 30 years against the racial stereotypes and societal prejudices that have tried -- sometimes viciously -- to divide them.

We are delighted to share this special event to honor the strength and legacy of Black history and music and are coming to you, our community and business leaders, asking for help to cover the costs in bringing together this important and poignant event.

$8 for "An American Love Story" screening
(6pm followed by Q&A w Bill Sims Jr.)
$12 for blues show with Bill Sims Jr. & Mark Lavoie (9pm)
$18 for both screening & show

Sponsorship packages have been designed to help facilitate your contribution, (see below) show your support for the artists and cause, as well as promote your business. Any sort of donation is greatly appreciated. Gain business exposure, support a good cause, and come enjoy the history of Blues!

Checks can be made out to The Big Picture Theater and sent to:
PO Box 815, Waitsfield, VT 05673

For immediate questions please contact: Claudia Becker at 802.279.0054 or cbecker007@yahoo.com

For more information on the Big Picture Theater & Café please visit: http://www.bigpicturetheater.info/ or call 802.496.8994.

Several other events happening as part of BLUE JAM Weekend:

* Sat. Feb. 13th we will have a silent art auction featuring student and professional artwork as a fundraiser for Haiti. Proceeds of the sales will go to AMURTEL. Bidding will be from 5:30-7:30pm.

* Sun. Feb. 14th, we will have a Valentine's Day Brunch featuring live jazz with Damian Paone and friends from 11-2pm.

* Sun. Feb. 14th, Valentine Skate Date
$1 off Saktium ALL DAY with Big Pic coupon. Bring a Saktium coupon for a FREE donut with purchase of any one of our Big Pic specialty hot chocolate drinks.

• Monday, Feb 15, Grace for Haiti: Waitsfield's own Grace Potter will perform a rare solo set at the Big Picture Theater. All proceeds for the event will be donated to Amurtel's disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Local favorites “The Eames Brothers” will open the show and feature Matthew Burr, drummer for Grace Potter and the Nocturnal. Doors open 7pm, show 8pm.

Tickets are the following:
$50 (general)
$75 (w/ an autographed poster)
$100 (includes a meet and greet with Grace Potter)

BLUE JAM Sponsor: $500

BLUE JAM Supporter: $300

BLUE JAM Friend: $150

Festival Friend: $50

Well Meaning Friend: $50