Food, fun, art, and music….there’s no better way to celebrate the end of the summer than by attending the third annual Bessie Smith Heritage Festival. This outdoor festival will be held on Saturday, August 21 from 6 pm – midnight on the front lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center located in the mecca of Chattanooga on 200 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard.

This year’s musical line up includes: Anthony David, R&B artist and best known for his 2008 duet with India.Arie; internationally acclaimed jazz artist and former member of Incognito, Maysa Leak, Nashville’s contemporary jazz saxophonist, Joe Johnson; jazz and R&B artist and former lead singer of the Montclairs, Phillip Perry and headlining the festival is the legendary blues artist, Bobby “Blue” Bland.

The 2010 Bessie Smith Heritage Festival will once again arrive with great food, dancing, entertainment, and celebration of the visual arts as Artists in Action will return for its second year. Artists in Action will feature nationally recognized artists demonstrating their talents and selling their works throughout the duration of the festival.

Tickets for the outdoor music festival are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Reserved tables are also available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bessiesmithheritagefestival.com or at one of the following ticket outlets:

Bessie Smith Cultural Center

200 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard

Mary’s Lounge

2125 McCallie Avenue

Café Lemont’s

801 Dodds Avenue