Cruise, BBQ & Blues Festival

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

The one-day festival will feature award-winning live Blues music on the main stage, inventive and classic BBQ selections from local chefs, family art activities, and over 140 classic cars, exhibitors, and automotive art on display. All monies raised at the event will go directly to support SAACA’s community arts and cultural outreach programs throughout the State.

LIVE BLUES MUSIC ON THE EVENT MAINSTAGE
OVER 140 CLASSIC CARS ON DISPLAY
TASTY BBQ FROM LOCAL CHEFS
805 BEER GARDEN
EXHIBITORS & FAMILY ARTS ACTIVITIES
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TITLE SPONSOR

 
ORO VALLEY MARKETPLACE
12155 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 – Free Parking

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

$5 ADMISSION AT THE DOOR | 10AM-3PM
$1 DISCOUNT FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND RETIRED MILITARY & PUBLIC SERVICE

 
LIVE PERFORMANCES
The 2023 Cruise, BBQ, and Blues festival features some of the most powerful blues voices in the Southwest. Three critically acclaimed acts will perform over the course of the day on the main stage, including the 2023 International Blues Challenge second place act for best duo – The Sugar Thieves! The festival will conclude with the awards ceremony and ceremonial salute to our Veterans kick featuring the star-spangled banner and presentation of the color guard.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
MISSY ANDERSEN
​
“If a voice as rich, supple, and vibrant as Missy Andersen’s could come out of a bottle – not that it hasn’t been tried – every blues singer would be dripping deep soul.” – DAVE RUBIN, Author & Journalist.

Missy Andersen and her accompanist/husband, Heine Andersen, love what they do. Keeping a heavy touring schedule, the tenacious twosome performs as a duo which showcases the couple’s individual and combined talents. In the absence of other instruments, listeners find a greater appreciation for Missy’s gospel-tinged vocals and Heine’s Blues & Americana-inspired guitar work.

A charismatic performer known for her expressive and earthy vocals, Missy Andersen received the coveted Blues Music Award nomination for Soul Blues Female Artist in 2015 and then again in 2016. Her sophomore album, In the Moment, received rave reviews from both critics and fans and ended up on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Albums. Raised in Queens, NY, Missy grew up singing along to the blues, soul, and gospel music of her parents and grandparents. These influences are evident throughout her recordings and live performances.

Learn more about this group at https://missyandersen.com/​

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
THE TIREBITERS

The Tirebiters are a new Tucson-based trio featuring seasoned veterans Lex Browning (Guitar, Vocals), Gray Mackender (Drums), and Steve Grams (Bass).
The trio performs original songs and familiar classics rooted in Blues, Country Rock, and Americana. Frontman Lex Browning is a current member of the country rock band Poco, past band member of Great Plains, and has toured playing fiddle for Tanya Tucker, Pam Tillis, and Trace Adkins.

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
SUGAR THEIVES (DUO)

The Sugar Thieves have been winning fans over world wide with their high energy, soulful live shows since 2006. Moving between blues, country, folk, gospel, rock and roll, and elements of jazz, freely they honor the tradition that makes American music so great.

The Sugar Thieves call Phoenix Arizona home, but over the past eight years they have made their presence known all over the US, Mexico, and Europe. The Sugar Thieves have shared a bill with the likes of Taj Mahal, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, The Flaming Lips, The Blues Brothers, Lucinda Williams, Robert Cray, and more. They’ve recorded and produced five albums, each containing a variety of original music, and old songs reinvented. Consisting of Meridith Moore’s deep and colorful vocal and Mikel Lander’s gritty and gutsy guitar picking style, and vocal approach, the Sugar Thieves are an uplifting, and unforgettable musical experience.

Learn more at: sugarthieves.com
 
 
 
805 BEER GARDEN

Enjoy a cold 805 beer, or Dos Equis margarita while browsing exhibitors, and listening to music at the festival. Special thanks to Finley and 805 Brewing for providing a great assortment of libations for the event.
 
 
 
CLASSIC CARS
The show will exhibit cars and trucks in a variety of styles – antique and modern, domestic and foreign, modified and custom. Judges will award trophies in categories including Best of Show, Best Interior, Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Presentation and attendees can vote in the People’s Choice awards.

Winners will receive hand-made, custom awards by local artist, John Benedict.

A team will do judging made up of Southern Arizona Chapter of NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) representatives and Cruise, BBQ & Blues committee members.
 
 
 
TASTY BBQ

Enjoy the ultimate BBQ experience at the festival, with various types of smoked, grilled and creative BBQ from local chefs and restaurants. All food is available for purchase inside the festival grounds from local vendors.

• Greater Faith International – BBQ Chicken and Pork, Mac and Chees & traditional sides
• BBQ from Iron Chef Chef Ken Foy, Dante’s Fire – Smoked bacon wrapped meatballs, smoked chicken tacos, Sonoran pork sandwich, chicken alfredo mac, cajun fries, coleslaw, pasta salad
• Chef Mat Cable from Fresco Pizzeria
• Chef Devon Sanner from Zio Peppe
• Gus Gyros – Funnel cakes, veggie and meat gyro’s and pita, lemonade, pretzels, corndogs, baklava and more
• Fork and Fire – Loaded mac with BBQ Pork and Chicken, Loaded Fries with BBQ Pork and Chicken, Pulled Pork, Churros and more
• Blackjack Infusions
• Fruit Shack Smoothies
 
 
 
EXHIBITORS & ACTIVITIES
The Cruise, BBQ & Blues Festival will feature regional High School auto clubs demonstrating their projects, children’s activities, and local businesses. Come out and enjoy a full day of exhibitors, interactive activities, auto demos and more!

• Regional High School auto clubs will be demonstrating their projects and their passion for cars
• Family Art activities with Lucky Cat Social
• Hughes Federal Credit Union
• Renewal by Anderson
• Hotrods for Hunger
• JDT Auto Works
• Future for Kids
• Southwest Oasis Lab Rescue (SOLR)
• Cutco
• Little Leoni Paints
• In-N-Out Burger
• Superior Water Treatment
• NERD Power
• Treadlogic Mobile Tire
• Marana High School Welding Club
• Power from the Past
• NCRS Southern AZ Chapter