For the 10th year in a row, Chippewa Valley residents will be able to enjoy a three-day celebration dedicated to the bluesy, early 20th-century music that so significantly impacted today’s jazz. The Eau Claire Ragtime Festival will feature headline performances by the St. Louis Stompers, a septet known for its traditional jazz style (think Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke); World Old-time Piano Playing Champion and Dallas native Brian Holland, famous for his quick fingers and ability to improvise stride pianists of the 20s and 30s; and “New Queen of Ragtime” pianist/comedian Mimi Blais, a Montreal resident known for her unique blend of classical, folk, jazz, blues, tango, and ragtime. The festival will also include a plethora of sideline performances, films, food, and other family-friendly fun, including the world’s only ragtime harp ensemble. Since the festival debuted in 2000, its mission has been to raise money for local charitable organizations, and this year is no different; proceeds from the 2009 fest will benefit the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, a community-supported center that provides health services to those who cannot afford them. “The excitement that’s generated by the concentration of so many talented people in one place at one time with two common purposes – have fun and raise a lot of money – is astounding,” said Eau Claire Ragtime Festival founder and music director Jim Radloff, who estimates the fest has raised over $75,000 for charitable organizations since it began. “Each of these concerts is a unique event.” As Radloff explains, that uniqueness comes from the music itself. “The melody of ragtime parallels classic European melody lines; the bass parallels the syncopation of West African rhythms, and those two styles could only be blended in America,” he said. “As it turns out, ragtime is America’s unique musical gift to the rest of the world.”

    Eau Claire Ragtime Festival • Jan. 9-11 • First Congregational Church, 310 Broadway St., Eau Claire • Prices vary • www.ecragtime.org