Summer Crush Winery, widely known for their
unique venue and diverse music scene, is proud to announce the 3rd Annual
FLORIDA CIGAR BOX GUITAR FESTIVAL Februray 1st 2020 from 11-5pm. The day will include 2 of
the nation’s premier Cigar Box Guitar acts; Ben Prestage, and the Steve Arvey
band, PLUS special guests and a one-time event: The areas hottest
string band, UPROOT HOOTENANNY, playing all Cigar Box instruments for the very first time! You won’t
see that again anytime soon! The day also includes several Cigar Box instrument vendors and a free
musicians workshop with Steve Arvey!
So what is a Cigar Box Guitar? Simply put Cigar
Box instruments are literally made with old cigar boxes, but it goes deeper
than that. The first trace of such instruments dates back to 1840-1860, when
cigar manufacturers started using smaller boxes to ship about 20-50 cigars
instead of the previous larger crates that shipped hundreds. In addition to
guitars, cigar boxes were turned into all varieties of stringed instruments
including fiddles, mandolins, basses (and their cousin the Diddly Bow), by
handy folks who most often could not afford a manufactured instrument. The
cigar box guitar was integral in the rise of jug band music and even more
importantly - the blues. The great depression saw a resurgence in the home building
of these instruments, especially in the rural south, followed by a waning with
the introduction of cheaper mass produced instruments. Today
it’s not just cigar boxes that are used to make the instruments, builders often
use ammo boxes, shipping boxes, old bed pans, hub caps, and anything else that
works.
Recently,
however, there has been a revival of interest in Cigar Box instruments, called
the Great Guitar Box Revolution. It
has resulted in a growing number of talented musicians, especial those wanting
to play the Delta Blues in its purest form, as well as home builders, and
primitive luthiers.
Cigar Box Festivals have become popular
nationwide, with some of the biggest being in the Ozarks, Huntsville Alabama,
York Pennsylvania, and Clarkdale Mississippi! Now Summer Crush is proud to be
added to that map with the Florida Cigar Box Festival right here on the
Treasure Coast.
The day’s lineup includes the manager of the
American Cigar Box Association, Steve
Arvey, with his Steve Arvey Band, from Bradenton Florida. Steve is an
accomplished blues musician, even having played the Crossroads Stage in Chicago
and backing several Blues greats. He is also the director of the Florida Blues
Festival in Bradenton. Steve will be leading a free afternoon workshop for
those who wish to attend. There will be Cigar Box instrument vendors on hand
too, so you can purchase one and get a lesson from one of the greats! www.stevearvey.com
Also on stage will be Florida legend Ben Prestage. Ben, who was taught the blues by his
grandfather, a Mississippi sharecropper, grew up in rural Florida and picked up
the appreciation for the banjo from a wine making and bluegrass playing
neighbor. Ben moved to Memphis as a busker (street performer) with these skills
in his bag. Influenced by other buskers, Ben soon added drums and the
diddley-bow to get the attention of the tippers. Ben’s unique style and
seemingly impossible talent has earned him three consecutive years of top 4
finishes in the International Blues Challenge, as well as, being the only two
time champion of the Lyon/Pitchford Award for “Best Diddley-Bow Player,” and
being, "The Most Unique Performer" at "The Song- writers'
Showcase of America!” www.benprestagemusic.com
Finally, one-time only and only at Summer Crush, see hard touring kickass grass band, UPROOT HOOTENANNY, as special guests playing all Cigar Box instrument for the first time ever!. UPROOT HOOTENANNY is an
acoustic powerful, energetic, fast-paced crowd favorite wherever they play. This special one time preformance has to be seen and heard to believe. No
one knows exactly what will happen when the guys are all on Cigar Box axes, but
we do know it will be unforgettable, fast paced, and a blast! You thought you’ve
seen Uproot Hootenanny before, but none of us has ever seen this!
Steve Arvey kicks the day off at 11 am. The artists rotate
preforming throughout the day until 5pm. (11-12 and 4-5pm: Steve Arvey Band.
12-1 and 2-3pm: Ben Prestage. 1-2 and 3-4: Uproot Hootenanny). Steve Arvey
leads the workshop at 2:30-3:30pm. For great food, Creative Chef will be serving
their delicious favorites. Food is not included in the ticket price. Summer
Crush will have their popular beverages; Handcrafted Florida Wines, Wine
Slushees, Sangria, and Wine based cocktails (like Margarita, Rum Punch, Bloody
Mary, Sea Breeze & more) as well as over
30 local microbrew and select beers and ciders.
As with all our events: No off premise
coolers, food , or beverages of any kind, including water is allowed. We will
have everything you need, including free ice and water. Also, a No Tailgating
policy is strictly enforced.
There are several other fun things to do
besides listening to great music all day, like a wine tastings in the winery
tasting room and browsing the unique gift shop, and games like; 9 hole disc
golf course through the vineyard, giant lawn checkers, giant 4 in a row, lawn
shuffleboard, giant jenga, several corn hole games, hula hoops and more.
- Refunds. Our concerts are theater-level bands and like a theater cannot offer refunds, especially the day of or after. Extenuating circumstances are looked at on a case by case basis, with exchanges for equal or lesser priced show possible.
- Volume. Some bands and tributes are at rock concert volume levels. If you do not have ear plugs we will have some available for you.