THE Blues Festival will shortly awaken Swanage from its winter hibernation, promising to turn the town into a mini-New Orleans of Bopping Boogie and Blistering Blues.

Now in its eighth year, the festival attracts fans from across the world, showcasing traditional acoustic and modern sounds in the idyllic setting of this lovely Dorset seaside town.

Thousands of music lovers will descend on Swanage between March 7 and 9 to see more than 70 musicians in 23 different combinations play in 15 pubs, restaurants and hotels.

Acts include psychedelic funk outfit The Guv’nors, who regularly play to crowds of 20,000 at the Ealing Festival; international Irish troubadour Will Killeen; busking phenomenon Ernie’s Rhythm Section (Manchester); the Ragtime Jug Orchestra with a veritable museum of instruments; famed brother and sister duo JC & Angelina Grimshaw; dynamic bands Storm Warning (recently returned from Poland), Coalhouse Walker, Motel 6, the Jon Walsh Blues Band and Debbie Giles (Alison Moyet meets Tina Turner).

Plus London veterans Sonny Black, Robin Bibi, Robert Hokum and many more including the cream of the crop from the South Coast: John Crampton, The Mustangs, Blues Etc, Hightown Crows, Harris Budden & Osborne, and Swanage band Coast.

Aspiring musicians can strut their stuff with Andrew Bazeley and Martin Froud at the Open Mic and Jam Sessions every afternoon, and on Saturday there will be Street Theatre from England's premier sand dance vaudevillian illusionists The Fabulous Fezheads (lots of fun for all the family) including Ken the Camel.

The festival has come a long way since the first one in 2001, when the sole performer on the first night was a lone pianist. This year there is a choice of 13 different venues on the Friday.

Festival organiser (and lone pianist) Steve Darrington said: “What started off as a bit of a party for a few locals has rapidly become a definite must for fans from all over the UK and abroad. I’ve had people from New Zealand and USA tell me they plan their holidays around it, and last year one guy flew from Scotland just for the day!

”The beauty of it all is that admission is free to all the Swanage venues and with most of them in the High Street, people can wander from place to place as the mood takes them. There’s a fantastic party atmosphere and everybody says they wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Steve is full of praise for the festivalgoers who contribute towards his expenses by throwing money in the official collectors’ buckets, and the businesses that support the event by spending £12 for an advert on the festival website.

“It’s not a lot for a year, is it?” he said. “But if you get 50 businesses contributing the equivalent of just £1 a month, it soon adds up. It’s not been easy for me, but last year I made a small profit for the first time, and immediately invested it into another festival in October.

“Some people say I should charge an admission fee and stuff like that, but Life is hard enough as it is. I want people to have a bit of fun together with some great music, and the festival also helps Swanage by bringing in business on what would otherwise be a very quiet weekend.”

Despite catching polio at age six, Steve overcame his disabilities to play piano for many American blues artists, Lonnie Donegan, Marty Wilde, the Everly Brothers, and even had Mark Knopfler in his band before Dire Straits. He has appeared on over 50 albums.

Steve came to Swanage for a couple of days in August 2000, fell in love with the town and never left!

An accident three years ago put him back in a wheelchair for the first time since he was 15, but that hasn’t stopped him either. “Obstacle into Opportunity!” he proclaimed. “As a musician I spent 30 years travelling, now I can’t do it anymore I get people to come to me!”

He most certainly does that. Many local accommodation providers report that they are booked up a year in advance, so if you need somewhere to stay, book soon!

Further information and a free programme from tourist information on 01929 422885 or the website www.swanage-blues.org