2024 Waukesha Rotary BluesFest will host rock and blues musicians from around the country

The Waukesha Rotary Club is hosting its 17th annual BluesFest on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-10. First night headliner Ally Venable has never played at BluesFest, but is looking forward to performing her original songs there.

Venable, a blues and rock musician, was 12 years old when she learned how to play guitar, but started singing even before that, she said.

Her parents were music lovers, and although they were not musicians, they kept an enthusiasm for music present in Ally's life as she grew up. Venable's hometown is Kilgore, Texas.

Venable released her first album when she was 16 years old. She said she was drawn into the emotion behind many blues songs, and said she uses the emotion in both her guitar-playing and lyrics to connect with listeners.

"(My lyrics) changed along with my life," said Venable, now 24. "I've evolved as (a) human, and I've experienced different types of things while growing up … my music has definitely conveyed that."

Venable said her musical influences come from blues, R&B, funk, rap and other genres in what Venable called a "big melting pot of music."

Venable said she's excited that younger girls have been coming to her shows and looking up to her. She recounted a recent fan encounter where a young girl approached her after the show and told Venable, "Why be the rock star's girlfriend when you could be the rock star?"

As for role models she's looked up to herself, Venable pointed to Aretha Franklin, Beth Hart, Bessie Smith, Bonnie Raitt and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Venable is currently working on a new record that she plans on releasing in 2025.

Here's more about the 2024 Waukesha Rotary BluesFest:

2024 Waukesha Rotary BluesFest performance lineup

• Friday, Aug. 9
• 1 p.m. The Lightways (Rockonsin 2024 finalists)
• 2:30 p.m. Trick Bag with Kenny J.
• 4 p.m. Ohlschmidt, Panosh & Cohen
• 5:30 p.m. Dave Steffen Band
• 7 p.m. Tinsley Ellis (solo acoustic)
• 8:30 p.m. Ally Venable

• Saturday, Aug. 10

• 1 p.m. Los Guys
• 2:30 p.m. Maple Road Blues Band
• 4 p.m. Sweet Sheiks
• 5:30 p.m. Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band (2024 Grammy Award Winner for Regional Roots Album)
• 7:30 p.m. The Dig 3 (Chicago chart-topping blues/roots)
• 8:30 p.m. GA-20 (Boston throwback blues trio)

Where is the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest?

BluesFest will be held in Naga-Waukee Park under a large tent. Naga-Waukee Park is located 1/2 mile north of Interstate 94 on Highway 83 in Delafield.

What are the hours of the BluesFest?

BluesFest will open its gates at 12:30 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. each day.

What food and drink vendors will be at the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest?

Food vendors, such as Yummy Bones Barbeque, Lily Bell's IS Fine Cuisine, Dahlia's Bistro and Mama D's Coffee will be selling food to attendees.

The Waukesha Rotary Club beverage tent will offer Miller High Life, Miller Lite, Lakefront Riverwest Stein, Modelo, a variety of Raised Grain Brewing Company beers, White Claw Black Cherry, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider Crisp Apple, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Heineken 0.0, assorted wines, bottled water and soft drinks.

Ticket info & pricing for the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest

The Waukesha Rotary Club will offer options for either general admission or "Elite Experience" tickets.

The "Elite Experience" will allow a limited number of people that the Waukesha Rotary Club described as "true music fans" to enjoy a front and center seat reserved seat for Friday or Saturday.

Advance general admission tickets in-person purchases can only be transacted at Almont Gallery in downtown Waukesha, all Waukesha State Bank locations and White House of Music's Waukesha location.

All tickets bought online are either available to print at home or download on a phone through the TicketLeap App.

General Admission purchased May 15- June 30General Admission purchased July1- August 8General admission at gate, on August 9 & 10"Elite Experience" purchased May 15- August 8"Elite Experience" at gate on August 9 & 10

One-day tickets$30$35$40$75$85

Two-day tickets$50$55$65XX

Ticket prices include admission to the grounds, Waukesha County Park fee and vehicle parking. Children 8 years old and under enter free with a paying adult.

Tickets can be purchased at www.waukeshabluesfest.com and at the gate on Aug. 9 and Aug. 10.