If you ever thought about what it would be like to hold an all-night three-day blues festival inside your home, and around your entire property, then head to the 20th annual Dusk-til-Dawn blues festival set for Labor Day Weekend, September 3-5 in Rentiesville.
One truly unique event, 30 bands, some 200 musicians, Friday thru Sunday from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. will perform, rain or shine, on two outdoor and one indoor stage. Dusk-til-Dawn is not your usual corporate-sponsored, glossy kind of gathering, which is a good thing. After all, we are in a town that has a lot of history with the blues and life in general as it was one of the first all-black communities in the Sooner state.
“Keeping D.C.’s dreams alive” is the theme this year. To help folks get a break from the stress in all of our lives, Selby Minner continues to helm the event that her and late husband (who died May 6, 2008 at age 73) D.C. Minner started back in 1990. “"He left quite a musical legacy," Selby said, "and it is an honor to have people wanting to keep it going. D.C. always said the guitar sounds better around 4:00 a.m.—something about the night air—and this is your chance to check that out for yourself, in Rentiesville over Labor Day Weekend. D.C. called it the world's biggest backyard party. It is laid-back, considering the caliber of artists we have. You are going to find someone you like if you just make the trip."
“Children will parade across the field in costumes and with painted faces, they will get to be in drum circles and take home a harmonica with a book and a lesson. The Kid’s Village keeps them busy throughout the event. However, they do not go into the timeworn Juke Joint!” First opened by D.C.’s Grandmother Lura in 1936 when he was one, and re-opened some 20 years after her death as the Down Home Blues Club, Selby said, “this is fun, funky, and very much alive with some of the best blues, jazz, gutbucket and soul music you would ever want to hear.”
Oklahoma blues legend D.C. Minner moved back to his birthplace and home in Rentiesville after 32 years on the road touring, and created a huge legacy of music there. The rural community will rock all night long to the sweet sounds of the blues during the long holiday weekend. Admission is a mere $15 at the gate or $10 if purchase in advance. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Food, beverages, both adult and otherwise, as well as arts and crafts and merchandise will all be a plenty on the festival grounds. Those looking to watch their money, like most of us these days, should get their hand stamped for re-entry. This allows one to visit their RV, camper or vehicle for food and drinks, suntan lotion, a change of clothing or to take a break or a nap. Someone in your group will really want to do this at some point. Trust Currentland on this.
Performers on the bill include Bernard Allison, Leon Blue, Little Joe McLerran, Cecil Gray, Jimmy Ellis, Dorothy “Miss Blues” Ellis, Tony Mathews, Lightnin’ Lee, Slick Willie & the Right Cats with Poochie, Selby Minner & Blues on the Move, Rudy Scott, Pat Moss, Blue Fire Foley, Homer Johnson & Bear, Checotah High School Jazz Band, Smilin’ Bob, Bucky Young and many more. Then the headliners, who have garnered international awards lately—Zora Young, “DVD Blues Handy of the Year” and Johnny Rawls with “Blues Handy Award Soul Album of the Year” as well as Georgia songbird E.G. Kight.
Volunteers are wanted and needed for the entire weekend. Check in at the festival gate to see what spots are open. Volunteering gets one into the festival for free as well as fed and free soda and bottled water. There are several chain hotels along U.S. 69 in Muskogee. There is also free parking with a courtesy golf cart available for those unable to walk and primitive camping across from the festival site. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged as seating is at a first-come-first-serve basis. No pets allowed other than seeing-eye dogs.
The festival is located off US 69 two exits north of I-40 and 18 miles south of Muskogee in Muskogee County. Follow the signs posted at all major intersections.
Sponsors include the Oklahoma Arts Council, VSA Artists, Love Bottling Yaffee, Budweiser, Muskogee Casino, James Hodge Ford and Griffin Foods. Friends of Rentiesville Blues Inc., Selby Minner Executive Director, produces the festival. It is one the premier events of the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame.
For more information or complete performance times and schedules and where to purchase tickets, log onto www.dcminnerblues.com or call (918) 473-2411. For those wanting a Google Map, the physical festival address is 701 D.C. Minner Street, Rentiesville, Ok, 74459.