If you're 27 years old, you were born the same year as the Chicago Blues Fest. In your short life it has become the world’s largest free blues fest. The three day festival in Grant Park will feature 5 stages of continuous entertainment and will attract more than 500,000 blues fans from around the globe. The scope of this event and the pilgrimage made by so many is a testament to Chicago’s status as the World Capital of the Blues. I was a young 35 when the festival started and it has become an annual source of hometown pride. Speaking of age, this year’s fest will celebrate the Centennial of Robert Johnson, considered by many as the Father of the blues.
The city’s blues community has planned a series of preview events leading up to the fest that will enhance the blues lover’s experience here in the Capital. The free festival will convene in Grant Park on June10-12. The preview events have already started. Over the next few days, I hope to use this column to give you some insight into this year’s lineup.
The Windy City Blues Society, a relative newcomer to the Chicago blues scene, is quickly becoming an energizing force. Hopefully with their presence, the City of Chicago will come to a greater appreciation of what Blues Music can mean to this city. Live Blues Music is one of Chicago’s greatest resources.
The preview events include cultural programs as well as live music. Many of this year’s featured artists are local talents so this is a great chance for Chicagoans to see and hear the great performers that work in this city year after year. Obviously, I am prejudiced toward local talent. When I was a young one in the 50’s, I was not even aware of the blues history being made in my own home town. It took the music of the British Invasion to eventually point out what was right under my nose. I regret that. That is why I would encourage Chicagoans to come out to the fest and sample this treasure, then in the months to come, your entertainment choices will be expanded dramatically. Live Blues Music in Chicago is cheap but priceless. Please refer to the ChicagoBluesBeat Calendar of Live Blues Music in Chicago for updates on venues, and performers, including show times and maps.
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