First-Ever Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival Launches With Jonny Lang and Other Top Performers

Grammy-award winning musician and Midwest native?Jonny Lang, along with an exciting lineup of musical talent, will launch the first ever Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival in?Prior Lake, Minn.?on?Saturday, July 10.

The Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival is the brainchild of the Prior Lake Rotary and is presented by Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be introducing this exciting event with such high caliber talent as Jonny Lang,” said Shaun Naya, Event Co-Chair and Fundraising Chair for the Prior Lake Rotary. “The Prior Lake Rotary has been working hard to bring this festival to fruition and we have been extremely pleased by the support of local businesses and organizations that have stepped forward to help make this event a success.”

The day-long festival will start at 1 p.m. with a variety of well known jazz and blues artists and culminate with Jonny Lang’s live performance. Food and beverages along with a kids’ activity area sponsored by Girl Scouts of America will also be part of the activities provided at Lakefront Park.

“From the very beginning it was our goal to create a free, family-friendly musical event, while showcasing our beautiful city, and raising money to continue the philanthropic missions supported by our club,” said Event Co-Chair Dave Card.

In addition to Lang, other performers scheduled to entertain festival guests include:

• Urban jazz headliner Nick Colionne, who dazzles audiences with his captivating live guitar performances and colorful costumes that have tagged him “the best dressed man in jazz.”
• Popular guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Joyce Cooling, who is recognized as one of the most dynamic contemporary jazz guitarists in the world for her vibrant, body-moving sound.
• Blues giant Lil’ Ed Williams, a talented guitarist, soulful vocalist and member of the popular band The Blues Imperials, which has been performing around the world for 25 years.

Organizers hope to attract 10,000 people to Lakefront Park, which would make it one of the largest music events in the south metro area. The free event does not require admission tickets, and a complimentary shuttle service to the park will be available from various locations throughout Prior Lake.

WHAT: First-ever Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival

WHERE: Lakefront Park
Prior Lake, MN 55372

WHEN: Saturday, July 10, 2010
1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

COST: Free

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is also offering a Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival hotel package for visitors. The $129 special includes a premier, double occupancy guestroom, free valet parking, free access to Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, complimentary transportation to and from Lakefront Park on Saturday and a variety of exceptional discounts for entertainment at the hotel. For more information about the package or to make reservations, call 1-800-813-7349 and reference code JAZZ10, or visit www.mysticlake.com/hotel.

For more information about the Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival, please visit www.lakefrontjazz.com.