When summer sets in and the temperatures in Vegas maintain a steady triple digits there are are few things that can get you to commit to an outdoor event better than live music and beer.  The Springs Preserve is hosting its third annual Brews and Blues Festival.  Last years event sold out with over 2,500 people coming out for a afternoon of beer tasting and live Blues.

Starting at 3:00 for Springs Preserve members and 4:00 for everyone else, I suggest coming early before the lines start to snake.  Admission will get you unlimited tasting to several different micro breweries.  Among some of the local Las Vegas beers are Big Dog’s, Joseph James, Chicago and Tenaya Creek.  Other American favorites represented this year will be: New Belgium, North Coast, Anchor, Firestone Walker, Pyramid, Full Sail, Wasatch and Squatters, Maui and Coronado.  Further selection from Belgium, England, Germany and Mexico will also be available.

Taking place at the Springs Amphitheater live music takes center stage starting at 3:30 and going until well into the evening.  This years four headlining bands include: Chris Bell Band, The Lucky Cheats,  Scott Rhiner and the Moanin’ Blacksnakes and Ronnie Baker Brooks.  Combining and eclectic mix of blues, rock, funk and hip-hop there is sure to be sounds to satisfy all tastes.

Chris Bell Band: New England native and now a Las Vegas based musician Chris Bell is a true ‘Americana’ musician.  Influenced by blues, country and rock he mixes traditional and contemporary blues with southern rock and alternative country.  Since 2000, Chris has released five CD’s and is set to release Bell Country Line, his sixth album, this year on the heels of his successful 2010 release The Devil, My Guitar and Me.

The Lucky Cheats: are a four piece band from Las Vegas that started in early 2008.  Musicians include: Luke Metz and Jeff Koenig from The Holy Smokes, Wade Braggs and Joe Perv.  Blending sounds from blues, rockabilly and rock music The Lucky Cheats have a unique sound that has earned them stage time at blues festivals, punk dives, country bars, casinos and fashion shows.

Scott Rhiner and the Moanin’ Blacksnakes: Scott Rhiner originally from Omaha, Nebraska spent several years in Austin, Texas where he played many regular gigs.  At the age of thirty life brought him to Las Vegas which he now calls home.  His early days in Las Vegas saw him performing with The Vegas Kings and eventually John Earl and the Boogie Man Band which eventually led to the formation of The Moanin’ Blacksnakes.  The Snakes have shed a few skins over the years and as musicians changed so did the style of their music.  With a mixture of jazz, fusion and rock Rhiner’s blues roots are always a stand out of any performance.

Ronnie Baker Brooks: Chicago based guitar player Ronnie Baker Brooks recently released his third album titled The Torch.  The name is a metaphor for the torch that is passed down from one generation to the next.  Intent on keeping classic American blues true to their roots, Brooks combines soulful blues with a contemporary vibe.  The son of legendary blues musician, Lonnie Brooks, he grew up watching his fathers generation of blues singers express themselves with music and is working to preserve that authenticity while inspiring a new generation. The result is a fusion of blues, rock, deep soul and modern hip-hop vocals with funk rhythms.

A portion of each ticket sold will benefit Keep Memory Alive, which supports the mission of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in downtown Las Vegas.