Chicago Blues Festival 2017: Who's Playing And When To Go

CHICAGO, IL — Over the years, Chicago has earned the reputation as the home of the blues — or at least one of the musical style's many homes — but this marks the first year that the city's annual festival celebrating the music will be able to call Millennium Park that. The 34th annual Chicago Blues Festvial, which runs this Friday through Sunday, moves there after being held for decades at nearby Grant Park.

This year's headliners scheduled to perform at the world's largest free blues festival include Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Stax Records soul singer-songwriter William Bell and Texas blues singer-songwriter Gary Clark Jr. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Although the event doesn't officially begin until Friday, fans of the blues and outdoor, public art can enjoy a prelude of sorts to the festival with the dedication of a mural of the legendary Muddy Waters. The painting was done by artist Eduardo Kobra, and it is displayed on the building at 17 N. State St. The dedication will be at noon Thursday, June 8, between Randolph and Washington streets.

Here's what you need to know if you plan to go:

Chicago Blues Festival 2017

• When: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, to Sunday, June 11
• Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan and Columbus avenues
• Admission: Free. Seats in Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn are first come, first served, and only one seat can be saved before the start of each show.
• Parking: Festival-goers can park at the following locations: Millennium Park Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage, 5 S. Columbus Drive; Grant Park North Garage, 25 N. Michigan Ave.; and Grant Park South Garage, 325 S. Michigan Ave. Parking packages at the Millennium Park and Millennium Lakeside garages are $35. Regular parking rates will be in effect for the other locations. Call 312-616-0600 or go to the Millennium Garages website for more information.
• Are folding chairs and blankets allowed in the park? Yes, but folding chairs are prohibited in Pritzker Pavilion.
• Are pets allowed? No. Only service animals are allowed.
• More info: Go to the festival's website.

FESTIVAL LINEUP

(All times and acts subject to change.)

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 5 to 6 p.m.: John Primer and The Real Deal
• 6:20 to 7:05 p.m.: Che "Rhymefest" Smith
• 7:20 to 9:20 p.m.: Celebrating 40 Years: Billy Branch and The Son of Blues, with special guests Lurrie Bell; Freddie Dixon; J.W.S. Williams; Carlos Johnson; Carl Weathersby; Bill McFarland; and Chicago Fire Horns, and Mae Koen and The Lights

Budweiser Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)

• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Demetria Taylor
• 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.: Mary Lane and the No Static Blues Band
• 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.: Nick Moss Band
• 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: The Mike Wheeler Band
• 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.: Guy King

Mississippi Juke Joint (North Promenade)

• 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.: Blues in the Schools with Katherine Davis and Stone Academy
• 1 to 2 p.m.: Eden Brent
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Cedric Burnside Project
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Jarekus Singleton
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Jam Session with Cedric Burnside

Front Porch Stage (Harris Theater Rooftop)

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Rip Lee Pryor
• 1:20 to 2:20 p.m.: The Jimmy Burns Band
• 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.: Henry Gray & Bob Corritore
• 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.: Tribute to Barrelhouse Chuck, featuring Billy Flynn, Johnny Iguana, Roosevelt Purifoy and Piano Willie O'Shawny

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Soul/R&B Night)

• 5 to 6 p.m.: Nellie Tiger Travis
• 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.: Theo Huff and the New Agenda Band
• 8:15 to 9:30 p.m.: William Bell

Budweiser Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)

• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Chicago Wind with Matthew Skoller & Deitra Farr
• 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.: Lynne Jordan & The Shivers
• 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.: Big Bill Morganfield
• 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: Coco Montoya
• 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.: Southside Tribute to Killer Ray Allison, with Joe Pratt and The Source One Band and JoJo Murray

Mississippi Juke Joint (North Promenade)

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Panel discussion on the Mississippi Blues Trail 10th anniversary, with Jim O’Neal, Dr. Edgar Smith, Scott Barretta and Alex Thomas
• 1 to 2 p.m.: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Bridges to the Blues by Donda’s House
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Vick Allen
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Jam Session with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith

Front Porch Stage (Harris Theater Rooftop)

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Khalif Wailin’ Walter
• 1:20 to 2:20 p.m.: Eddie Taylor, Jr.’s Tribute to Eddie Taylor, Sr.
• 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.: Jimmy Johnson Band
• 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.: Harmonica Hinds Quartet

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 5 to 6 p.m.: Ronnie Baker Brooks
• 6:20 to 7:20 p.m.: Rhiannon Giddens
• 7:40 to 9:30 p.m.: Gary Clark Jr.

Budweiser Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)

• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Tail Dragger and the Allstars
• 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.: The Blues Disciples with special guest Ms. Erica Johnson & Milwaukee Slim
• 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.: Vance Kelly and the Backstreet Blues Band
• 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
• 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.: Melvia “Chick” Rodgers

Mississippi Juke Joint (North Promenade)

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion featuring a tribute to Amy Van Singel, with Dick Shurman, Jim O’Neal and Rebecca Sive
• 1 to 2 p.m.: JJ Thames
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Zakiya Hooker
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Denise LaSalle
• 5:30 to 7:45 p.m.: Jam Session with Eddie Taylor, Jr.

Front Porch Stage (Harris Theater Rooftop)

• Noon to 1 p.m.: The Como Mamas
• 1:20 to 2:20 p.m.: Mud Morganfield Band
• 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.: Chi-Town Harp Showcase featuring Omar Coleman, Russ Green and Lamont Harris
• 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.: Wallace Coleman

The 34th annual Chicago Blues Festival moves to its new home at Millennium Park in 2017. Bettye LaVette at its old location at Grant Park in 2006. (Photo by Scott Olson | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images)

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