Beauty and the Blues

From tragedy comes triumph. The I Love U Guys Foundation was started as a way to honor the memory of Emily Keyes, killed at Platte Canyon High School in 2006, by restoring and projecting “the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions.” And last year, the Conifer Blues...

By Natalie Gonzalez

August 23, 2012

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From tragedy comes triumph. The I Love U Guys Foundation was started as a way to honor the memory of Emily Keyes, killed at Platte Canyon High School in 2006, by restoring and projecting “the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions.” And last year, the Conifer Blues Festival was introduced as a positive way to raise funds for the foundation and spirits in the community.

This year’s event, on the runway at Meyer Ranch on Highway 285 in Aspen Park, features local favorites Catfish Kray Blues Band and the Once Removed Band from Conifer; at 5 p.m., the legendary Corky Siegel and the Siegel-Schwall band will bring big-time Chicago blues to a small-town festival. “We’re trying to keep it really low-key,” says John-Michael Keyes, father of Emily and founder of I Love U Guys. “There’s just food, beer and blues by design. It really is such a unique opportunity to have Corky and the Siegel-Schwall band in Colorado.”

The Conifer Blues Festival takes off at 1 p.m. today, with music continuing until 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, $35 for a pair; those under nineteen pay $13, and kids twelve and under get in free. Proceeds will go to the I Love U Guys Foundation and the Mountain Resource Center, which is helping victims of the Lower North Fork Fire. For more information, go to www.coniferbluesfest.com.
Sat., Aug. 25, 1-7 p.m., 2012

Natalie Gonzalez

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