After Daffodil Parade, gray skies turn blues at the Harmon and Swiss

There might be a lot of yellow in Tacoma’s annual Daffodil Parade Saturday, but immediately afterward there’ll be other colors, as the annual Gray Sky Blues Music Festival gets going at the Harmon Brewery and The Swiss Pub. The music begins as soon as the last float goes by the Harmon on Pacific Avenue.

The festival began in 2007 as a way of attracting more people to the parade, says organizer Gary Grape of the Tacoma Events Commission. Now it’s a success, with around 750 in attendance last year.

Part of that success are the acts. The headliner this year is Lightnin’ Willie and the Poorboys, a Los Angeles band that made the semifinals at the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Other local bands include Little Bill and the Bluenotes, the Rafael Tranquilino Band and more.

Here’s the lineup

Harmon Brewery (all ages)

12:30-2 p.m.: Linda Myers Band.

2:30-4 p.m.: Little Bill and the Bluenotes.

4:30-6 p.m.: Rafael Tranquilino Band .

The Swiss (all ages until 8 p.m.)

1-1:45 p.m.: Generation Danger.

2-3:30 p.m.: Cody Rentas Band.

4-5:30 p.m.: Maia Santell and House Blend with guest Jumpin’ Josh Violette.

6-6:45 p.m.: Amber Sweeney.

7-9 p.m.: Lightnin’ Willie and the Poorboys.

9:30-11:30 p.m.: Memphis All-Star Jam Band.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 4:00 AM with the headline "After Daffodil Parade, gray skies turn blues at the Harmon and Swiss."