- March 12, 2025
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Naples' Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton's Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
Photo by Jay HeaterFans have the opportunity to take up-close photos when blues artist Dylan Triplett ventures into the crowd during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Photo by Jay HeaterMatt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch shows off his considerable ability on the harmonica during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Place.
Photo by Jay HeaterPalmer Ranch's Jeff Hoffman, who always attended the Bradenton Blues Festival before it folded last year, says he likes the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival venue at Waterside Place better.
Photo by Jay HeaterMitch Woods tickles the keyboards during his set of the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch Blues Festival Producer Paul Benjamin dresses the part during the event Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
Photo by Jay HeaterBlues artist Dylan Triplett gets into his work during his set at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Place.
Photo by Jay HeaterCo-producers Mogan Bettes-Angell and Paul Benjamin kick off the first Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
Photo by Jay HeaterBlues artist Dylan Triplett gets up close and personal with the fans during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Photo by Jay HeaterRyan Marquez launches into a solo on the keyboards as he performs with Dylan Triplett.
Photo by Jay Heater
St. Petersburg's Ellen Brown dances nonstop near the stage during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Photo by Jay HeaterParrish's Patty Beck says the talent was unbelievable. "I can't believe the lineup."
Photo by Jay HeaterMelody Angel says, "It was fun because I didn't know what to expect. You catch the vibe and the energy is the thing. The energy from the crowd was there."
Photo by Jay HeaterMelody Angel had the task of injecting energy into the crowd at 10 a.m. when the first band kicked off at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Photo by Jay HeaterBy the time Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s took the stage at midday, the area in front of the stage was packed. It was the third of seven bands to perform.
Photo by Jay HeaterSouth Pasadena's Linda Laplante shows off the autographs she collects as she travels the country to see top blues artists.
Photo by Jay HeaterMatt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch brought energy to the event, playing with Dylan Triplett.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch Blues Festival Producer Paul Benjamin introduces Melody Angel to the crowd to kick off the event.
Photo by Jay HeaterGuitarist Gary Davenport accompanies Melody Angels during the first set of the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Photo by Jay HeaterIt was a quiet, cool morning Dec. 7 at Waterside Place, as music fans crossed the footbridge onto the Waterside Park island for the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Then, with the very first note, Chicago blues artist Melody Angel burned through the opening set with a flamethrower of selections, injecting energy into a sleepy morning crowd to set the tone. The small crowd was up and dancing to Angel's "Say It Ain't So" before she took it up another notch with the Jimi Hendrix version of "Hey Joe."
"It was fun because I didn't know what to expect," Angel said. "You catch the vibe and the energy is the thing. The energy from the crowd was there."
That energy, and the size of the crowd, continued to build throughout the day. About 750 fans attended the inaugural event.
South Pasadena's Linda Laplante travels to blue events around the country and she was impressed.
"I'm happy to see such top-name acts," she said. "This is a nice venue and it is different in a positive way. Of course, it's nice to be outside and to be able to see the water. Then you are sitting on grass instead of dirt."
Palmer Ranch's Jeff Hoffman said he used to attend the Bradenton Blues Festival, which folded after last year's final event. Producer Paul Benjamin basically took the festival to Lakewood Ranch.
"It would be a shame if we didn't have this blues festival," Hoffman said. "And I like it better here. This is top notch."
Event Co-Producer Morgan Bettes-Angell said she was dealing with the usual inaugural event hiccups, but that she was "super pleased."
Will there be a second Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival?
"Absolutely," she said. "This will be an annual event."
