Preserving the Past - Promoting the Future!

LONG BEACH BLUES SOCIETY

Blues in the Schools is a key part of realizing the Long Beach Blues Society’s mission. Programs are tailored to meet the specific educational and developmental needs of the student populations with whom we work. There are two main Blues in the Schools presentations - in a classroom setting with music students, and in a school assembly setting with the broader student population. Student participation is encouraged in both.

Blues For Vets uses the tranformational power of music and creativity to support veterans’ psychological and emotional needs by connecting professional blues artists with local veterans through workshops and performances. Veterans face many challenges in their personal lives such as depression, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, trauma, and loss.  Through the art of music, they can learn to express these feelings in a healthy way, and as a result, experience healing and positivity, and feel connected to a friendly community who is here to help them move forward in life.

Blues for Seniors provides uplifting workshops and concerts to seniors, including those with limited income and/or limited access to live entertainment.

LBBS is a co-producer of the New Blues Festival each Labor Day weekend at El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach. Attendance has grown each year, from 2000 fans in 2014 to 6000+ fans in 2017. Featuring 30+ bands over two days, the festival is the culminating event for the Management Training Program. Free festival tickets are given out at all Blues in the Schools, Blues for Vets, and Blues for Seniors presentations.

The initial LBBS program launched in 2015 is the Management Training Program, where participants learn the details of festival management, from marketing and ticket sales to event production and everything in between. Typically attracting college students interested in music, media, or nonprofit management, this program provides training and leadership experience in all aspects of festival production, including signing up sponsors, vendors, and artists. The program culminates in the annual New Blues Festival, where the whole team is on site for set up, production, sales, crowd management, and clean up. Since LBBS became a registered nonprofit, participants are also taught all aspects of nonprofit management such as fundraising, grant writing, financial controls, operations, human resources, and compliance issues. To date, 12 college students have benefited from the program.

PROGRAMS