The Chicago Blues Festival returns this year June 6-9 as part of Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary season, with some 35 performances and 250 artists celebrating the city’s blues legacy, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced Wednesday.
The largest free blues festival in the world will kick things off with a 6 p.m. June 6 opening night performance featuring Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks at Bridgeport’s recently reopened Ramova Theatre (3520 S. Halsted St.; ages 18+ or minors with guardian; free tickets available 10 a.m. May 1 at bit.ly/ramovablues).
The free concerts continue June 7-9 at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, as well as on the Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade) and Rosa’s Lounge stage (North Promenade).
Headliners include Buddy Guy, who plays the festival’s last night as part of his “Damn Right Farewell” tour.
“There’s something special about playing in the city where it all started,” Guy said in a statement in the announcement. “The energy, the history, the soul of Chicago blues — it’s in the air, and I’m excited to be a part of it once again.”
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
7:45-9:00 p.m. Centennial Tribute to Jimmy Rogers featuring Kim Wilson, Jimmy D. Lane, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Bob Margolin, Sebastian Lane, Felton Crews and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
6:30-7:30 p.m. Mr. Sipp
5:15-6:15 p.m. Corey Harris
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
4:30-5:45 p.m. Big A & The Allstars
3:00-4:15 p.m. J’Cenae
1:30-2:45 p.m. Keith Johnson & The Big Muddy Band
Noon-1:15 p.m. Nora Jean Wallace
Rosa’s Lounge
6:30-7:45 p.m. Last Call with WDCB Radio and Carlos Johnson
5:00-6:15 p.m. Sheryl Youngblood
3:30-4:45 p.m. Luke Pytel Band featuring Laretha Weathersby
2:00-3:15 p.m. Ivy Ford
12:30-1:45 p.m. Lil’ Jimmy Reed with Ben Levin
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
7:45-9:00 p.m. Southern Avenue
6:30-7:30 p.m. Vanessa Collier
5:00-6:15 p.m. Centennial Tribute to Dinah Washington featuring Dee Alexander, Bruce Henry, Miguel de la Cerna, Jeremiah Hunt, Charles Heath IV and Melody Angel
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
4:30-5:45 p.m. Dexter Allen
3:00-4:15 p.m. Ra’Shad The Blues Kid
1:30-2:45 p.m. Melvin Taylor
Noon-1:15 p.m. Mzz Reese and Reese’s Pieces
Rosa’s Lounge
6:30-7:45 p.m. Last Call with WDCB Radio and Ivan Singh
5:00-6:15 p.m. The Mike Wheeler Band
3:30-4:45 p.m. Jamiah “Dirty Deacon” Rogers and the Dirty Church Band
2:00-3:15 p.m. Vino Louden
12:30-1:45 p.m. Al Spears & The Hurricane Project
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
7:45-9:00 p.m. Buddy Guy
6:30-7:30 p.m. Cash Box Kings
5:00-6:15 p.m. Centennial Tribute to Otis Spann featuring Johnny Iguana, Roosevelt Purifoy, Rie “Miss Lee” Kanehira, Sumito “Ariyo” Ariyoshi, Oscar Wilson, Bob Stroger, Billy Flynn and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
4:30-5:45 p.m. Jaye Hammer
3:00-4:15 p.m. Anissa Hampton
1:30-2:45 p.m. Jonathan Ellison & The RAS Blues Band
Noon-1:15 p.m. Southern Komfort Brass Band
Rosa’s Lounge
6:30-7:45 p.m. Last Call with WDCB Radio and The Stephen Hull Experience
5:00-6:15 p.m. Melody Angel
3:30-4:45 p.m. Omar Coleman Westside Soul
2:00-3:15 p.m. Joey J. Saye Trio
12:30-1:45 p.m. Nate Manos Band with Alicia “Ya Yah” Townsend
More information at ChicagoBluesFestival.us