South Orange Blues Festival

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South Orange Blues Festival Northern NJ’s most popular Blues Festival brand! MIKE GRIOT PRESENTS 15 years of world-class talent. What a ride!!

It has been over three years since I first envisioned a blues festival in my hometown of South Orange, NJ – that epiphany happened on a typical day having coffee at Starbucks, and sitting downtown soaking up the morning sun. Traveling the globe as a professional musician, I’d had the great privilege of performing at some of the greatest festivals and exotic locations in the world, and it seemed to

me at that moment that South Orange was equally beautiful – and worthy of its’ own major blues event. The obvious obstacle was the economy… and I knew full well it wouldn’t be easy: I needed help…

Armed with the spiritual support of a few visionary South Orange residents, we embarked together on a mission of love and purpose. The reception was PHENOMENAL; everyone we met agreed that it was an idea who’s time had come. The next two years were spent clearing the way legally and administratively…the Village worked with us closely to ensure a certain level of compliance, while we began the very necessary work of bringing on sponsors and strategic partners to “pay the bills” – after all, I always meant this event to be FREE TO THE PUBLIC. The festival is now proudly supported by Essex County Executive Joseph Divincenzo and the Department of Parks & Recreation. Today, we proudly present to you THE BLUES -- our great American art form, and hope you will explore all of the history and creativity this music has to offer. Thank you again for participating in this historic event!! Musically Yours,

MIKE GRIOT
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
THE SOUTH ORANGE INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL

BLUES People: We’re making a (very quick) LOCAL APPEARANCE in SOUTH ORANGE ON SUNDAY@2pm!!South Orange Downtown is turni...
29/05/2025

BLUES People: We’re making a (very quick) LOCAL APPEARANCE in SOUTH ORANGE ON SUNDAY@2pm!!

South Orange Downtown is turning up the volume on Sunday, June 1, 12–8 PM at the Sloan Street Parking Lot (12 Sloan St, South Orange, NJ) for Under Cover Music Fest 2025 — a full day of epic cover band performances. From The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac to Erykah Badu and the Grateful Dead, eight phenomenal bands will bring legendary hits to life and get the whole town dancing.

This free, outdoor festival is open to all. Come hungry and thirsty — food from local favorites and drinks from the South Orange Downtown Beer Garden, featuring craft brews and hard seltzers, will be available for purchase. Families can stop by the Y-Zone, sponsored by South Mountain YMCA, from 2–7 PM for free kid-friendly games, crafts, and activities. Plus, explore exclusive promotions, pop-up experiences, and festive activities from downtown businesses joining in the celebration — perfect for making a day of it.

For more info, visit southorangedowntown.org/ucmf-2025. Sunday, June 1, 12–8 PM.
Kelton Cooper
Mike Griot
Mark Bowers
Tony Lewis

Another festival filled with epic moments, music and memories…
11/03/2025

Another festival filled with epic moments, music and memories…

https://www.njarts.net/140848
18/02/2025

https://www.njarts.net/140848

Check out this article from recapping SOPAC’s International Blues Fest 👀

Thank you to Event Producer and Music Curator , and all of the artists for an unforgettable night!

Over 18 years after sharing stages around the world, Sue Foley and Mike Griot reunite outside of NYC for an epic musical...
11/02/2025

Over 18 years after sharing stages around the world, Sue Foley and Mike Griot reunite outside of NYC for an epic musical reunion!

Over 18 years after sharing stages around the world, Sue Foley and Mike Griot reunite outside of NYC for an epic musical reunion!

TECHNICALLY…we’re sold out.Since there are typically people who can’t make it at the last minute… stopping by the box of...
22/01/2024

TECHNICALLY…we’re sold out.
Since there are typically people who can’t make it at the last minute… stopping by the box office and inquiring about a waitlist may be an option. No guarantees… but it may be worth a shot.😑🤞🏽

For the folks that have their tickets: GET READY FOR A HISTORIC SHOW!!🥰🤘🏽🎶🔥
http://sopacnow.org

I’ve got to admit: as a career bassist and bandleader, I’m totally looking forward to my return to my global blues famil...
23/12/2023

I’ve got to admit: as a career bassist and bandleader, I’m totally looking forward to my return to my global blues family in January at the International Blues Challenge (The Blues Foundation) in MEMPHIS.

From Michael Hill to Joanne Shaw Taylor…from Sue Foley to Candice Caleb (Candy Kane)…from Laura Chavez to Deborah Coleman (and many others)— I have been extremely blessed and honored to make great blues music around the world with these tremendous talents.

Upon the sudden death of my mother in 2008, I left global touring to help my father navigate the future he never envisioned. Shortly after, a messy divorce was added to my set of challenges… but the music still continued.

That decade included the founding and production of a major blues festival in the NY/NJ area… and the purchase of a live music venue. Unfortunately, both came to a predictable halt as COVID gripped the planet.

TODAY: I am proud to present BLUES People — an original four-piece blues group. This I hope to be my legacy project…🙏🏽🎶❤️

Featuring my musical comrades Kelton Cooper on lead vocals and guitar, Gene Lake on drums, Ron Thompson on organ/keys and myself on bass… we are ready to share our unique NY/NJ blues stories with the judges at the IBC — and the world.

Here is a recent interview with North Jersey Blues Society President Cristy Bacon Benvenutti chatting about what led me here… a what hopefully lies ahead.

Hope to see you all in Memphis!🥰🎶
https://blues.org/international-blues-challenge/

❤️🎶

https://youtu.be/i2O-SpE07U8?si=7SBAt3UZ1F8Z2zYg

North Jersey Blues Society president, Cristy Benvenutti, interviews Mike Griot from BLUES People Band. BLUES People won the NJBS local competition and will ...

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