Chicago Blues Guide HOT shows for this week!

For a list of Blues Jams, click HERE

photo: Keith Ian Polakoff
Feb. 15 - Mar. 5: Queenie Pie, a Duke Ellington jazz opera by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra & Chicago Opera Theater at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, Chicago

Celebrate Black History Month with this ambitious collaboration between the Chicago Opera Theater and Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra.
Duke Ellington's Queenie Pie blends opera and jazz with musical theater and tells a rivalrous tale inspired by historical figure Madam C.J. Walker, who became the first female African-American self-made millionaire thanks to her successful line of hair and beauty products.

The cast of Queenie Pie includes:
Karen Marie Richardson, Anna Bowen, Keithon Gipson and Jeffrey Polk.

Feb. 16: Viewpoint Event at Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, Chicago. 2 p.m. Cast of Queenie Pie will perform. Guest speakers include: Great-grandaughter of Madam CJ Walker, A'Leilia Bundles, Grandaughter of Duke Ellington, Mercedes Ellington, and NU professor & author Harvey Young. FREE!

Feb. 10: Erwin Helfer, Katherine Davis, John Brumbach at Katerina's, Chicago

Feb. 11: Tweed Funk at House of Blues, Chicago

Dave Specter at Shaw's, Chicago

Toronzo Cannon at Beer Geeks, Highland, IN

Feb. 12: Brother Jacob & his Blues Crew at Reggie's, Chicago

Feb. 13: Johnny Winter at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Chicago

Johnny Winter Meet & Greet at Reggie's Record Breakers 5 p.m., Chgo

Frank Bang & Secret Stash w/Jeff Massey 3:30 p.m. at Reggie's, Chgo

Bobby Rush, Theo Huff/ Bernie Mac Foundation Benefit at Mr. G's Supper Club, 1547 W. 87th St., Chicago

James Armstrong, Joanna Connor Band at Kingston Mines, Chgo

Rockin' Johnny at Quigley's, Naperville

Feb. 14: Toronzo Cannon at B.L.U.E.S., Chgo

Liz Mandeville at Nick’s Beer Garden, Chgo

Dawn O'Keefe Williams Trio at Perry's, Park Ridge

Billy Branch CD Party, Demetria Taylor, Donna Herula at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Chicago

Feb. 14-15: Charlie Love & the Silky Smooth Blues Band w/ Laretha Weathersby at Blue Chicago, Chicago

John Talmadge, Damian Williams at Hugo's Frog Bar, Chgo

Feb. 15: Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues, Michael J. Miles, Sons of the Never Wrong at Elgin Community College Arts Center, Elgin

Billy Branch & Sons of the Blues CD release party at Rosa's, Chicago

Tommy Castro at FitzGerald's, Berwyn

Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames at Mac's on Slade, Palatine

Smiley Tillmon Band, Howard & The White Boys at Wire, Berwyn

Ron Sorin & the Blue Coast Band at Harlem Ave. Lounge, Berwyn

Betty Bleu Band at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, Willowbrook

Pistol Pete Band at Untitled, Chgo

Feb. 15 - Mar. 5: Queenie Pie, a Duke Ellington jazz opera by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra & Chicago Opera Theater at Harris Theater, Chicago

Feb. 16: Tommy Castro at SPACE, Evanston

Nigel Mack at Smoke Daddy, Chgo

Early Warnings:

Feb. 18: Guy Davis at SPACE, Evanston

Feb. 20: Ruthie Foster & Eric Bibb at City Winery, Chgo

Feb. 28: Taj Mahal at Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg

March 1 - 2: Ice Meltin' Blues Fest w/ Carl Weathersby, Demetria Taylor, Billy Branch & Sons of The Blues, Corey Dennison, Rockin' Johnny. Blue plate specials, ice sculptures, art & more.

March 7: Campbell Bros. (sacred steel) at Old Town School, Chgo

March 11: Eric "Guitar" Davis Memorial Benefit w/ Ronnie Baker Brooks, Kinsey Report, Linsey Alexander, Billy Branch, Toronzo Cannon, The Davis Children, Tom Holland, Gerry Hundt, Sharon Lewis, Vino Louden, Jerry "Bam Bam" Porter, Jamiah "On Fire" Rogers, The Troublemakers, Carl Weathersby & more at Beer Geeks, Highland, IN

April 11: Keb' Mo' at SPACE, Evanston

CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL 2014

June 13-15: Headliners include Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Bettye LaVette, Nikki Hill, Sonny Boy Williamson Centennial Tribute w/ Siegel-Schwall Blues Band, Billy Boy Arnold, Sam Lay, Marcella Detroit and more! FREE.

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