Festival to once again bring together musicians from both sides of river

The Cross Rivers Roots & Blues Festival makes its return Saturday at Port Cape Girardeau for its fifth annual performance.

Event coordinator Ivas John of The Ivas John Band originates from Chicago and now lives in Cape Girardeau. He got his start professionally in Carbondale, Illinois, more than 10 years ago.

"I started doing this to showcase some of the local talent in Cape that I like and musicians I had been working with in Southern Illinois," he said, adding it's an opportunity "to get everyone together for one night of music."

Bruce Zimmerman, left, leads the Water Street Band as Danny Rees keeps the beat in their final Sunday night gig in the Water Street Lounge at Port Cape Girardeau Sunday night, July 12, 2015 in Cape Girardeau. Port Cape has ended a 26-year run of the Sunday night music sessions. More photos are in a gallery at semissourian.com.FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com

The participating bands vary from year to year because John wants to feature different musicians. This year, performers at the event, which is sponsored by Port Cape Girardeau and iluvlocalplaces, include The Dust Covers, Big Larry Williams, Bruce Zimmerman and The Water Street Band, Doug Rees and The Ivas John Band.

Describing the style of music they will play at the festival, John said, "Roots means American roots music, which encompasses blues, ragtime, folk, early jazz. ... 'Cross Rivers' originated in the idea to bring over musicians that I knew from the other side of the river from Illinois."

Musician Ivas John organizes and will perform at the Cross River Roots and Blues Festival on Saturday.lsimon@ semissourian.com file

Even before relocating to Cape Girardeau, John was familiar with the area, as he had been performing here already. Rees lives in Jackson, members of The Dust Covers live in St. Louis, Big Larry resides in Carbondale, and Zimmerman makes his home in Cape Girardeau.

Zimmerman "has played in and around Cape for probably 40 years" and is "very well-known and well-loved around here," John said.

John, who sings and plays guitar, said roots and blues have been a part of his life since he was a young.

"It's normal to me in the household that I came from. ... I developed an appreciation for it," he said.

He especially appreciates the mood and ambience it creates.

"There is a lot of feeling to it and a lot of soul," he said. "For me, music has to have that element to it."

He added, "Roots and blues spoke to me since I first heard it. ... I have been getting deeper into it ever since."

John is not alone in his love for the genre. Those who attend the Cross Rivers Roots & Blues Festival every year love it also; John said he cannot count how often people tell him they enjoy it and look forward to it every year.

"It has become a heritage event for the area," he said.

The musicians always are well received, John said, attributing this to a "great combination of high-quality music and a great atmosphere." The festival is "just an enjoyable evening to see a great show, visit with each other, eat some good food and celebrate Mardi Gras," he said, explaining the event has a Mardi Gras theme every year, as it occurs during that celebration.

"Most people come early and stay late because it's just a really great time," he said.

Not only is the music phenomenal, John said, but the venue makes the night an even more enjoyable experience. The "venue adds character," he said.

"Upstairs of Port Cape is like an old vaudeville-style theater -- one of a kind. Places like it are hard to find these days," John said. Thus, the audience will receive "great music and a very friendly and laid-back atmosphere" that often includes "lots of dancing," he said. People "cut loose and enjoy themselves," John said.

The food, relaxation and talented musicians -- along with "good energy" -- combine for a night that keeps people returning each year, John said.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at Port Cape Girardeau, Hempies and Shivelbines Music Store. People also may call John at (708) 646-1132 to reserve tickets to be picked up at the door the night of the show.

The admission cost includes the Port Cape Girardeau appetizer buffet. Seating is first come, first served.

Pertinent address:

19 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.