Crawdaddy Blues Fest brings a taste of the South to Madrid

Lori Lindsey fondly remembers growing up in southeast Texas, spending some of her best days enjoying a lunch of crawfish while listening to blues and sipping on a brew.

Lindsey, owner of the Mine Shaft Tavern and Cantina located in Madrid, New Mexico, remembered those days so much that she needed to bring a piece of home back with her, and Crawdaddy Blues Fest was born as an homage.

“I started this the first year I bought the Mine Shaft, and it’s my family’s thing, so it just goes back to my history of growing up in Texas and what my family and I enjoy,” Lindsey said. “I own one of the most iconic bars in the state and I have the space with five acres, so it’s a natural fit.”

On Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, the festival will return for the 19th annual summer bash, bringing with it barbecue, blues music, and of course, plenty of crawfish.

This year’s blues lineup will feature artists like Hillary Smith & Chillhouse — a headliner for the festival who Lindsey has wanted to book for years — Levi Platero, Hot Grits and Felix y Los Gatos, and 17 other bands who will take one of four stages at the Mine Shaft Tavern.

“I was looking for local blues artists and bringing them into a blues festival that showcased their talents,” Lindsey said. “I always try to bring in at least a few bands that are from out of state just to add some variety.”

It’s not just artists who come from across the state to the Crawdaddy Blues Fest. Lindsey said that the event draws in people from Colorado, Arizona, Texas and even Canada.

In total, Lindsey plans to order nearly 1,500 pounds of crawfish and shrimp and an equal amount of barbecue to be served at the event. Meals like gumbo, brisket sandwiches, hot links and green chile blue crab cakes — to add a little New Mexican flair to the Southern-style dishes — will be served on the menu.

“It’s pretty much a cornucopia of Texas and Louisiana foods, so people get pretty excited about it,” Lindsey said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, the crawfish is cooked by my family, so they drive them up.”

Cold brews will be served at Mine Shaft Tavern, including the bar’s own Madrid Brewing Company lager and pale ale, La Cumbre Brewing Company and Second Street Brewery beers. One of the most popular drinks served during the festival are hurricane cocktails, made with freshly squeezed juices. Guests also have access to a full bar.

Parking is on the north side of town by the Madrid Ballpark parking lot, and the event has a shuttle.

“Come hungry and thirsty and ready to dance,” Lindsey said. “People know they’re supposed to have fun there and wherever you wander, there’s going to be music and drinks and food, and it’s just a great experience.”