By Skip Sheffield
This is a weekend overflowing with entertainment choices.
In Delray Beach we have the 12th annual Garlic Fest Friday through Sunday at Old School Square. Amateur and professional chefs have the opportunity to be creative with garlic-infused recipes in the garlic Chef Stadium.
On the big outdoor stage are local and national music acts, including one of the best Grateful Dead tribute bands, Dark Star
Janiva Magness sings the blues
Orchestra on Friday; one of the biggest names in blues, Buddy Guy on Saturday, and local darling and now Nashville recording artist Amber Leigh on Sunday.
The music begins Friday with Texas Party Killers from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by Delray’s own Fabulous Fleetwoods 6-7:30 p.m. and Dark Star Orchestra 7:30-11 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup begins early with saxophonist Billy Bones and his son Justin 2:30-3:30 p.m.; The Republik 4-5:30 p.m.; Outside the Box 6:30-8 p.m. and Buddy Guy and his band 8-10:30 p.m.
On Sunday Garlic Chef semi-finals begin at 11 a.m. Andy Childs leads off music 12:30-1:30 followed by Amber Leigh 2-3:30 p.m.; Outside the Box 4-5 p.m. and Led Hed 5:30-7 p.m.
Here is the best part: admission is just $10, regardless of the day. Call 561-279-0907 or visit
Riverwalk Blues Festival
Speaking of Buddy Guy, he was the headliner at the first Riverwalk Blues Festival in 1987. Back then, the festival was held in the parking lot of the now-defunct Musicians Exchange.
Now, the 22nd annual Riverwalk Blues Festival is set in the lovely Riverwalk area of Fort Lauderdale on the New River at Andrews Avenue Friday through Sunday. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday with Big Poppa E and the E Band followed by Blues Dragon at 8:30 p.m. and the John Nemeth band at 10 p.m.
Big City Blues Band leads the action at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Headliners are Janiva Magness at 6:30 p.m. and Robert Randolph and the Family Band at 8:30 p.m.
Gates open at 11 a.m. Sunday. Headliners are Superchikan and the Fighting Cocks at 6:30 p.m. and Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers at 8:30 p.m.
There is a lot more than this going on. Go to the web site at www.riverwalkbluesfestival.homestead to check it out.
Singer Janiva Magness is also playing Boston’s in Delray Beach at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 as part of Frank Ward’s Blue Tuesday.
Lovely Janiva is a real blues survivor of the suicide of both her parents when she was just 16; an early pregnancy and the trauma of giving her infant up for adoption and homelessness before she found her focus in the blues. She is now one of the shining stars at Alligator Records, the world’s largest blues label, having won the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Blues Music Award in 2009. Her latest CD is “The Devil is an Angel Too.”
“I am very grateful,” said Magness in a telephone interview. “I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. I get to do what I love to do and it is transcendent. I feel we need live music more now than ever before.”
As with all Blue Tuesdays at Boston’s, admission is free.
Dance at FAU
Clarence Brooks, assistant professor and director of dance at FAU and Susan Fulks, formerly of the Charleston Ballet and the Nashville Ballet, present the 2011 Repertory Dance Theatre Ensemble at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at FAU Theatre. Tickets are $20 at the door. Call 800-564-9539.
Classic Guitar at Spanish River Library Sunday.
Classical and flamenco guitarist Howard Greenblatt performs a free recital at 3 p.m. Sunday at Spanish River Library. The concert is sponsored by Friends of the Boca Raton Library. No reservations are required. First come, first served. See www.bocalibraryfriends.org.