Anthony Gomes, Kevin Purcell, Dave Weld, Vino Louden, Mike Wheeler, NuBlu Band & more!

August 13: Theo Huff, Brother Jacob, Mike Wheeler Band, McDowell Brothers Vittum Theater, Chicago

SUMMER BLUES FESTIVALS  2016 CALENDAR

JULY - SEPTEMBER

July 29-30: Kilborn Alley Blues Band (photo), Andy T & Nick Nixon Band, Cedrick Burnside Project, Blackfoot Gypsies, Mary Jo Curry Blues and more at Merchant Street Music Fest, Kankakee, IL

WILLIE DIXON’S BLUES HEAVEN/ CHESS STUDIOS

2120 S. Michigan, Chicago

BLUES IN THE GARDEN CONCERTS through August 25

Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. Free. Donations welcome

Gary “Sam” Harris, Shorty Mac & The Magnificent, Little Al, Dr. Payne & The Blues Relief, Tommy McCracken, Lady Gal Lovers.

All Summer:

The Roots to the Fruits, photo exhibition with over 40 prints by Howard Greenblatt, Cary Baker and Walter Wimberley, dating from the 1970s to the present. Through the end of summer, at Blues Heaven/ Chess Studios, 2120 S. Michigan, Chicago.

American Indian Veterans Fundraiser

Mac’s on Slade, Palatine, IL

July 24: J.B. Ritchie w/ Ivy Ford (photo: Roman Sobus), Dean Milano Trio w/ Chuck Jennings & Chris Minardi, Dawn O’Keefe Williams & The Lucky Dogs w/ Carl Davis, Mark Cleveland, Rob Rosenberg & more. FREE. Donations and silent auction. 2-6 p.m.

MERCHANT STREET MUSIC FEST

Kankakee, IL

July 29-30: Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Andy T & Nick Nixon Band, Cedrick Burnside Project, Blackfoot Gypsies, Mary Jo Curry Blues and more.

PRAIRIE DOG BLUES FEST

St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

July 29-30: Nora Jean Bruso, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Corey Stevens, Shonn Hinton & Shotgun, Blue Rooster, Tweed Funk, John Nemeth, Jane Lee Hooker, Norman Jackson Band & more.

McHENRY ROTARY BLUES, BREWS & BBQ FEST

Petersen Park, McHenry, IL

Aug. 5,6,7: Kevin Purcell & The Nightburners, John Todd Band, Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames w/ Greg Guy (Buddy’s son), NuBlu Band, Mike Wheeler Band, Anthony Gomes, Vino Louden, Fernando Jones & the Blues Kids. Fest is a fundraiser for Rotary Club’s international charitable causes.

 Tickets: $10 per day, advance tickets $5. Kids 12 and under free.

PAY IT FORWARD COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER

Draft Picks Restaurant, 523 Fairway Dr., Naperville, IL

Aug. 6: The Always Learnin’ Blues Band w/ Jeff Daab, Little Daddy Blues, Carla Denise Stinson and Dwayne “Dirty” Richardson. Includes buffet w/ cash bar. Fundraiser for college scholarships. $30 advance tickets. Space is limited.

YOUNG MEN OF THE BLUES

Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., Chicago, IL

Aug. 13: Theo Huff & Brother Jacob, The McDowell Brothers, w/ house band Mike Wheeler Band, 7 p.m. show. Use the promo code “bluesman” for discount tickets.

WAUKESHA BLUES FEST

Naga-Waukee Park, Delafield, WI

Aug. 12: Popa Chubby, Cedric Burnside Project, John Primer, Danny Miller Band, Blues Summit, Black Cat Bone, Tom Sugars

Aug. 13: Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, A.J. Ghent Band, Ruf Records Blues Caravan: Tasha Taylor, Ina Forsman, Layla Zoe, Leroy Airmaster w/ Stokes, Jonny T-Bird & the MPs, Serious Trouble, Rockonsin 2016 Band Finals

BLUES ON THE WATER

Harbor's Edge Blues & BBQ Fest

175 N. Harbor Pl., Waukegan, IL

Aug. 13: Head Honchos, Brown/Howard Band, Rhythm Rockets, Blues Nick, Mac on Slade

Aug. 14: J.B. Ritchie & Ivy Ford, Carlise Guy (Buddy's daughter), Mike Wheeler Band

LITTLE BEAR RIBFEST

Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway

Vernon Hills, IL

Aug. 19: Kevin Purcell & The Nightburners, John Primer

Aug. 20: Red, White & Blues, Chicago Blues Super Session w/ Jimmy Johnson, Mark Hummel & The Blues Survivors.

$5 admission

BIG BULL FALLS BLUES FEST

Fern Island Park, Wausau, WI

Aug. 19: Guitar Shorty, Big Bull All-Stars, Big N Tasy

Aug. 20: Elvin Bishop, John Mayall, Tommy Castro, Matthew Skoller, Renee Austin

CROSSROADS BLUES FESTIVAL

Lyran Park, Rockford, IL

Aug. 27: Reverend Payton’s Big Damn Band, Joanna Connor, Tad Robinson, Ghost Town Blues Band, Flaming Mudcats. $5 admission.

PEORIA BLUES & HERITAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Riverfront Festival Park, Peoria, IL

Sept. 2-3: Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Leon Russell, Here Come The Mummies, O.A.R. & more.

Food vendors will offer a Taste of New Orleans.

SHIP AND SHORE BLUES FESTIVAL

Washington Park, Guy Foreman Amphitheater

Michigan City, IN

Sept 3: Mississippi Heat, Liz Mandeville, Chicago R&B Kings, Hank Mowery, Chicago Kingsnakes

Sept 4: Blue Lunch, Ivy Ford, Michael Charles

Food & wine vendors, Kids activities

PARAMOUNT BLUES FESTIVAL

Coal Dock Park, Port Washington, WI

Sept. 2-4: Tommy Castro, Mud Morganfield, Rev. Raven & Friends, Davina & The Vagabonds, The Jimmys, Shonn Hinton & Shotgun, The Blues Disciples, Lil Davy Max, Steve Cohen, J.B. Jefferson, Joe Filisko & Glenn Kaiser, Studebaker John and more!

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