Back in the 1980s when KXCI was a fledgling idea with enormous possibilities, fans of the concept got together and hosted a fundraising concert.
It was at El Casino Ballroom, which arguably had - and still has - one of the best dance floors in Tucson. The organizers recruited some local talent and national acts known for blasting the blues and bringing the party. They dubbed the evening "House Rockin' Blues Review" because the acts on the bill were known for being able to get even stalwart fans on their feet dancing.
The concert was the first of many the community radio station hosted in the 1980s. Most were put together by Jeb Schoonover, Tucson's hyper-energetic concert promoter, who has built a mighty reputation since those early shows.
On Friday, Schoonover and KXCI (91.3-FM), at the prodding of former arts journalist and filmmaker Daniel Buckley, are putting together a resurrection of those House Rockin' Blues Review shows. The event plays off the premiere last Sunday of Buckley's documentary on El Casino, a venue that dates back to 1947.
Schoonover has recruited a host of artists, many of whom were part of those 1980s blues shows, as well as several Arizona Blues Hall of Fame members, including Hans Olson, Tony Uribe and Hurricane Carla.
"It's fun for me to kind of jump back in there and put together another blues review," Schoonover said. "Always back in the day when we did House Rockin' shows, it permeated fun, ... dancing and having a good time, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. In between there's some great music to get you up on the dance floor."
And anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of taking a spin on the El Casino floor will be pleasantly surprised. The venue, which caters mostly today to private parties and weddings, was "built ... in the golden era of ballroom. It's got a sprung wooden dance floor ... so the floor actually moves," Schoonover said.
"People go there wanting to dance," he added.
Buckley's documentary, "Tucson's Heart and Soul - El Casino Ballroom," was culled from 400 hours of filming at the venue.
Schoonover said proceeds from Friday's event will benefit KXCI.
If you go
• What: KXCI's House Rockin' Blues Review.
• Featuring: Tom Walbank and Stefan George; three members of Kings of Pleasure with The Mike Hebert Band featuring vocalist Katherine Byrnes and saxophonist Jeff Grubic; The Bad News Blues Band backing up Arizona Blues Hall of Fame members Hans Olson, Tony Uribe, Danny Krieger, Mike Blommer, Hurricane Carla, Steve Grams, Alex Flores, John Strasser and Heather Hardy.
• When: 8 p.m. Friday.
• Where: El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St.
• Tickets: $10 in advance at Antigone's, The Folk Shop, The Parish Gastropub and at www.kxci.org online; KXCI members are $8. It's $12 at the door.
