2024 Bal De Maison: Opening Show With Eric Gales
Thursday, September 12 featuring Eric Gales at Sheridan Opera House
The opening celebration for the 2024 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will feature groovy soul, rhythm and blues from Eric Gales. Held at the historic Sheridan Opera House on Thursday, September 12, the Bal de Maison is the perfect way to kick off the festival weekend. The doors open at 8:30 pm and the show starts at 9 pm.
The phrase Bal de Maison originated from dances held at someone’s house - typically in the front room. These dances were usually announced by the host of the party simply yelling from his or her porch to the neighbors. Word would sometimes travel up to 40 miles. The Bal de Maison opening celebration has been a part of our festival tradition for over 10 years. So here's our shout out - spread the word about the Bal de Maison and let’s have a dance party to start the weekend!
Hailed as a guitar prodigy in his teens, Eric Gales stood out in a crowd. “He's absolutely incredible,” Carlos Santana told Arsenio Hall. “There's nothing cute about this 16-year-old young brother, you know? Eric Gales has a bright future.” That future, despite his prodigious talent and prolific recorded output, both solo and collaborative, took a time-out while the young phenom struggled with drugs and a troubled street life, including time behind bars. But he found love in a woman who saw his true self, and his friend, Joe Bonamassa, remained a constant ally and source of support. Demons banished, Eric’s career is back on track and his latest album, Crown, was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2021. Oh, he’s back alright. The prodigy can reclaim his crown.