Alexis P. Suter is coming to Hope and she’s bringing her booming voice with her!

The blues singer with a voice that resounds, an on-stage presence that kills it, and a show that is second to none, will bring it on at the 5th Annual Inn at Millrace Pond’s Blues and Craft Brews Festival on Sunday Aug. 20.

This year’s musical line-up starts early, with The Outcrops and the Atlanta Cafe Band, warming up the crowd for national act Alexis P. Suter. The gates open at 1 p.m. and the music is set to start at 1:30. The music continues until 7 p.m. An assortment of Craft Beers will be on tap, along with plenty of food for purchase.

The Blues and Craft Brews Fest is presented by the historic Inn at Millrace Pond and Tramontin Harley-Davidson in association with Joe Hirsh Productions.

Hailing from Brooklyn, Suter’s musical background started in church at the age of four, eventually expanding her knowledge of gospel music, and then on to the blues. She comes from solid musical roots, too. Her mother had provided backing vocals for Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Harry Belafonte, Mavis Staples and Dionne Warwick amongst others.

Suter released her debut single in 1990, “Slam Me Baby”, which led her to become the first African American woman to be signed to Epic/Sony Records. She later signed with Hipbone Records, releasing Shuga Fix, her debut album in 2005. The same year she and her backing band caught the attention of Levon Helm, who invited them to open for him at his Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, New York. That helped launch her career into another realm and she and her band became a frequent opener for many great acts, including Bo Diddley, Dickey Betts, B.B. King, Coco Montoya, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Allen Toussaint, and Emmylou Harris

Suter and her band have since become regulars at festivals, playing at Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Festival, Springing the Blues, Briggs Farm Blues Festival, Musikfest, and Blast Furnace Blues Festival.

In 2015, Suter was nominated in the ‘Koko Taylor Award’ category at the 33rd Blues Music Awards.

Both the The Atlanta Cafe Band and The Outcrops, meanwhile, are favorites on the regional scene. Both bands mix originals with covers. Atlanta Cafe Band has been playing together for several years while The Outcrops, led by front woman Cassidy Rain, have been making a splash in just over a year of banding together.  The Atlanta Cafe Band has opened up for a host of national acts including Sonny Landreth, and they’ve played at numerous large festivals including Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Festival and Black Potatoe. Meanwhile, the hard-working Outcrops are turning a lot of heads and are coming off of a couple of solid festivals including the Red Rooster in Clinton.

Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Inn, in the Village of Hope, or at Tramontin Harley-Davidson, which is located at the Route 80 Exit 12 ramp. They are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Tickets for seniors, bikers and students are just $10. Kids 12 and under free with accompanying adult. You can also make ticket reservations by calling the Inn, 908-459-4884.

Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs if they’d like, however, please no coolers or pets.

The Inn at Millrace Pond, a historic bed and breakfast and restaurant just minutes from Route 80, Exit 12. The Tavern, located in the restaurant’s tap room downstairs, is the perfect setting to listen to music and enjoy a pub style menu.  The Inn regularly features music with its Friday night music series and on some Saturday nights patrons enjoy dinner while listening to live piano music. Weather permitting, the Inn also offers patio dining outside.

The Inn at Millrace Pond is located in the heart of Hope at 313 Johnsonburg Road by Route 519. For more information about the Inn at Millrace Pond, to make a reservation in the restaurant “upstairs” or in the “Fireside Tavern” downstairs, call 908-459-4884 or visit www.innatmillracepond.com.