Chicago Blues Festival

The City of Chicago will be filled with Blues music on June 7-10, 2007. The Chicago Blues Festival, held at Grant Park on the lake front, attracts fans from around the world.

The Blues Festival is considered the world's largest free concert of it's kind. There are six stages of music at Grant Park, with legendary performers.

The Festival celebrates it's 24th anniversary this year. Tribute will be paid to the 100th anniversary of two great piano players: Albert Luandrew, known as Sunnyland Slim and Albert Ammons. The festival will also celebrate the birthday's of two Blues icons, Big Jay McNeeliy turns 80 this year. The festival will also pay tribute to Howlin' Wolf, who would have celebrated his 97th birthday.

Chicago's Koko Taylor, Queen of the Blues, has been confirmed to open at the festival, on June 7. Koko Taylor, a Grammy award winner, has released her first CD in seven years. "Old School" was inspired by the sound and spirit of the Chicago Blues of the 1950's.

Irma Thomas, The Soul Queen of New Orleans, will be headlining the festival on Saturday, June 9. Irma Thomas earned a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album for "After the Rain".

Piano Summits and Boogie Woogie Stomps will be in abundance. The festival pays tribute to historic Blues icons and blues musicians of the modern era.

Petrillo Music Shell
Thursday, June 7: "Boogie Woogie Stomp": Willie Clayton, Jimmy Dawkins, Koko Taylor and the Blues Machine.
Friday, June 8: "30th Anniversary-Sons of the Blues-The New Generation is the Now Generation: Johnnie Mae Dunson and son Jimmie "Prime Time" Smith, Billy Branch's Sons of the Blues 30th Anniversary Reunion.
Saturday, June 9: "Downtown Saturday Blues": Nellie Tiger Travis, Big Jay McNeely with Jesse Scinto, Irma Thomas and the Professionals, Magic Slim and the Tear Drops.
Sunday, June 10: "Wang Dang Doodle": The Disciples Playing of Sunnyland, Tribute to Wolf, Bobby Rush.

7/11 Route 66 Road House
Thursday, June 7: "Boogie Woogie Stomp", Soul/blues, Centennials Memorial
Friday, June 8: The Significance for the Berlin Jazz Festival, Blues with Johnnie Mae and son Jimi Prime Time Smith, Chicago blues Today.
Saturday, June 9: "Downtown Saturday Blues": Great Lakes Blues Society Summit, Blues on Film - "The Honeydripper", Cultural Tourism.
Sunday, June 10: "Wang Dang Doodle": The Art of the Blues, Sunnyland Tales, Howlin' Wolf Birthday Party.

Gibson Guitars Crossroads
Thursday, June 7: "Boogie Woogie Stomp": Charles E Shaw and the Chicago Blues Rebellion band, Osee Anderson and Da Blooze Folds, Hoochie Coochie Boys.
Friday, June 8: "30th Anniversary-Sons of the Blues-The New Generation is the Now Generation"
Saturday, June 9 : "Downtown Saturday Blues"
Sunday, June 10: "Wang Dang Doodle"

State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club
Thursday: "Boogie Woogie Stomp"
Friday: "30th Anniversary-Sons of the Blues - The New Generation is the Now Generation"
Saturday "Downtown Saturday Blues"
Sunday: "Wang Dang Doodle.

State of Mississippi Juke Joint
Thursday: "Boogie Woogie Stomp"
Friday: "30th Anniversary - Sons of the Blues - The New Generation is the Now Generation
Saturday: "Downtown Saturday Blues"
Sunday: "Wang Dang Doodle"

U.S. Cellular Front Porch
Thursday: "Boogie Woogie Stomp"
Friday "30th Anniversary - Sons of the Blues - The New Generation is the Now Generation
Saturday: "Downtown Saturday Blues"
Sunday: "Wang Dang Doodle"

There will be plenty of food at the festival, including: Robinson's Ribs, Zam-Zam's Restaurant, (Indian) and Lagniappe (Louisiana cooking).

The mayor's Office of Special Events encourages the use of public transportation to all Grant Park festivals, for easier travel. The CTA website (transitchicago.com) has information and schedules for RTA, CTA, PACE and Metra.

There is no parking available Grant Park. Parking garages are located at the Millennium Park Garage (Columbus between Randolph and Monroe), The Monroe Street Underground (Monroe & Columbus) and Grant Park Underground (Michigan at Madison and Michigan at Randolph).

Information subject to change. See the City of Chicago website for complete schedule and maps.