It's showtime for Lauren Lambert-Tompkins.
Named executive director of the Baton Rouge Blues Festival & Foundation in August, she's been preparing since to run that show this weekend.
Lambert-Tompkins formerly worked as executive director of the Downtown Business Association, the nonprofit organization that produces Live After Five, the community concert series in downtown Baton Rouge. She was also the development director of STUN Design & Interactive, a local graphic design and marketing agency.
Black Joe Lewis' set at the Blues Fest begins at 7:15 p.m. Saturday.
Baton Rouge's annual celebration of the blues, begun in 1981, runs Friday to Sunday downtown. Festivalgoers are being promised "the sweetest, smokiest music this side of any juke joint." That magic will conjured up by the 30-plus national and regional blues artists performing on four stages.
As she tunes up for the big weekend, Lambert-Tompkins answers a few questions.
How prepared are you headed into your first festival as director?
I've volunteered for this festival for several years now, so I knew the lay of the land already. I also managed Live After Five for a long time, so I'm very familiar with the spaces and I know how to get everything moving and who does the moving! Also, my predecessor (Kim Neustrom) and I talk often and she has been an invaluable resource to me.
Check out former 'American Idol' finalist Jovin Webb on the Front Porch Stage at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Who are the first-time performers this year?
We have a lot of first-time performers including Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Black Joe Lewis, Jackie Venson, Janiva Magness and more.
Is anything changing as far as the setup, etc. for the fest?
Yes, we have added the Watermark Slim Harpo Stage on Third Street near the Watermark Hotel. This is an exciting addition that brings the festival into a block party among area businesses. We have also added the Urban South Beer Garden, a full bar with tented seating. This will be a great space to sit in some shade and get a cold drink. It faces the Visit Baton Rouge Swamp Blues Stage.
TheBrosFresh's performance starts at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Any tips for first-time festivalgoers?
Bring a tailgate chair, comfy shoes and some sunscreen. This is an easy, laid-back festival with a lot to do and see. Walk around and enjoy all of it.
Anything to add?
This festival wouldn't be possible without donations. We love paying musicians what they're worth, and literally keeping the stage lights on, so if you can afford to donate, please consider how much you would pay to attend a festival with this much talent. Saturday night's final concert is Black Joe Lewis and will serve as our "Rent Party." Historically, blues musicians would invite over friends and family to pass the hat and help them make rent. We'll be passing our hat [and QR code] to ask for a little help making rent.
For more info, visit brblues.org.
FESTIVAL LINEUP
FRIDAY
Visit Baton Rouge Swamp Blues Main Stage
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Kenny Neal (presenting sponsor: Live After Five)
Manship Theatre
8 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Layla Musselwhite with Jimmy Robinson (Blues Fest Encore)
SATURDAY
Visit Baton Rouge Swamp Blues Stage
Noon: Welcome
12:15 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.: Kids' Orchestra
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: GAto20
4 p.m to 5 p.m.: Jackie Venson
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite
7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Black Joe Lewis
Chris Whittington Family LA1 Stage
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Jimi "Primetime" Smith & Bob Corritore Tribute to Henry Gray
2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.: Robert Kimbrough
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Hannah PK
Front Porch Stage
1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.: Florida Street Blowhards
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Izzy & the Funky Pack
3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.: Ramble Preamble
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Jovin Webb
Watermark Slim Harpo Stage
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Michael Foster Project Tribute to Ernest Jackson & Jo Monk
3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.: Lil' Ray Neal
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Janiva Magness
WRKF Behind the Blues Interviews
12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.: Jackie Venson
1 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.: Janiva Magness
2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite
3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Black Joe Lewis
5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Lil' Ray Neal
5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Robert Kimbrough
SUNDAY
Visit Baton Rouge Swamp Blues Stage
11:30 a.m.: Welcome
Noon to 1 p.m.: Alabaster Stag
1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.: Nikki Hill
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Ally Venable
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Eli Paperboy Reed
Chris Whittington Family LA1 Stage
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Smokehouse Porter & Miss Mamie
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: TheBrosFresh (Presented by Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge's Sunday in the Park)
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
Front Porch Stage
12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Blues After School
1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.: The Circuit Breakers
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Louis Michot
3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.: Lil' Jimmy Reed
Watermark Slim Harpo Stage
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: D.K. Harrell
2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: The Chris LeBlanc Band
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Jonathon Boogie Long
WRKF Behind the Blues Interviews
12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.: TheBrosFresh
1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Curley Taylor
2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Alabaster Stag