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Brucemore gets the blues

By Steven Horowitz

At first, the idea of blues at Brucemore (or Bluesmore) seems a strange idea. After all, blues is the music of poor people while Brucemore is a rich family’s estate.

But when the widow Margaret Douglas Hall donated the place, she stipulated that the site should host a wide range of events that engage the entire community.

“Mrs. Hall wanted the estate to be used inclusively and host all types of activities,” says Jim Kern, Brucemore’s executive director. “She didn’t want it to be another country club.”

That’s why he relishes the whole notion of down and dirty music being played in such a swanky place.

“It’s a great big old party on the First Avenue lawn. The majestic background may seem ironic, but it’s the perfect setting,” Kern says.

The Linn County Blues Society (LCBS) chose the acts playing this year’s show on Saturday, Aug. 2. The performers include six-string electric guitar legend Bernard Allison, Chicago blues act Nate Moss and the Fliptops, and the 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge winners, Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts.

“We shot through a bunch of different names to come up with a package,” says LCBS president Andy Dergo. “We think we got a killer combo for a good price, but that’s been true all through our 15 year association with Brucemore.”

Gates open at 3 p.m. Saturday; the music begins at 4 and lasts until 9:30. Advance tickets -- $13 or $12 for Brucemore or LCBS members and students -- are available at the Brucemore gift shop, 2160 Linden Drive SE. Tickets at the gate are $15; kids 10 and under are admitted free.

Dergo’s father used to work for the construction materials company of Howard Hall, the man who once owned Brucemore. He still remembers his father telling stories about Hall walking his tamed lions on a leash through the factory floor.

Kern confirmed the lion story and notes that Brucemore in tribute uses a lion as its symbol and mascot. Kern says the Halls had no children and kept lions as pets on their residence. During Bluesmore, someone dons a Leo the Lion costume and roams through the crowd to get the audience fired up.

Dergo and Kern offer differing opinions when asked about the best Bluesmore event so far.

As a blues fan, Dergo remembers the hot music of 2005 with artists Michael Burke and Renee Austin. “It smoked from the opening note until the end, fifteen minutes past schedule,” Dergo says.

As an organizer, Kern relishes last year’s event, when it looked like the show was going to be rained out. But the precipitation ended almost magically just before the gates opened. “It went without a hitch, like a well-oiled machine,” Kern says.

Brucemore was spared the flood damage suffered by many local arts and cultural organizations, though last month’s flooding has had an indirect influence on the venue.

“Our role has shifted dramatically as we are one of a few surviving venues in town,” Kern says. “We feel it’s our responsibility to give Cedar Rapids citizens a place to gather as a community and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, when the weather breaks towards winter our capacity as a host diminishes.”

Bluesmore operates as a fundraiser for Brucemore and LCBS, who split the money evenly and plow it right back into hosting other events and proving educational opportunities. In addition to tickets, food and drinks are sold on the premises. This includes a beer tent, though Dergo advises those attending to drink plenty of water.

“It’s going to be one hot day in every sense of the word,” he says.