Tap Your Toes At Massive Blues Music Fest In Hartford

Greater Hartford Arts Council

HARTFORD, CT — One of the capital city's biggest musical traditions takes place this Friday and Saturday and it promises to deliver the blues.

But don't be sad. This event is all about toe-tapping music and a good time.

The 24th Annual Black-Eyed & Blues Festival, the largest and longest-running free blues festival in Connecticut, returns on Friday, July 26, to fill Hartford with music and smiles.

This beloved summer tradition, originally started by James Verano of Blackeyed Sally's continues to thrive thanks to a partnership with The Connecticut Blues Society and sponsorship from The Greater Hartford Arts Council.

The festivities kick off on Friday night at Blackeyed Sally's, 350 Asylum St., Hartford, with a special performance by Italian Bluesman Roberto Morbioli and the legendary Toni Lynn Washington.

Saturday's main show is in Bushnell Park, Hartford, from 2 to 9 p.m. with an event headlined by the powerhouse blues act Jeff Pitchell.

The day is packed with talent, featuring Bruce Katz, The Knickerbocker All-Stars, XY Eli, and BlueDevil Bluez.

This diverse lineup brings together musicians from Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and even Italy, showcasing the breadth and depth of the blues genre.

Beyond the music, the festival offers a chance to gather with the community and enjoy a beautiful summer day (And the weekend forecast is looking very, very good.)

Blackeyed Sally's will be serving barbecue, while other vendors will offer refreshing ice cream, beverages, and more.

“Blues is the foundation of almost all American music we hear today. We love the fact that we can bring this free festival year after year to Hartford. We want to thank our sponsors, volunteers, The City of Hartford, and our organizers for all their efforts to make this event possible,” said Scott Sebastian, president of The Connecticut Blues Society.

"At the 24th annual Black-eyed & Bluesfest, we unite to celebrate the transformative power of the blues. Every soulful note and shared experience bridges hearts and communities, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share in the universal language of music," said Dr. Shelley D. Best, chief executive officer of the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

For more information on the festival, click on this link.