Date: June 12-14, 2009
Cost: Free
Organizer: City of Chicago
What to expect: The world's largest free admission Blues festival: six stages and more than 70 performers will ensure you don't sing the blues.
Why to go: This year's lineup includes Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Bettye LaVette and Eddie C. Campbell.
The full schedule (subject to change):
Friday, June 12
Front Porch
noon: Blues in the Schools
1:30 p.m.: Gloria Thompson Rogers
3 p.m.: Big Bill and Mud Morganfield with special guests Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
5 p.m.: Andrew Jr. Boy Jones
6:30 p.m.: Charlie Musselwhite Band
Gibson Guitar Crossroads
1 p.m.: Chicago Blues Experience featuring Vince Agwada and Russ GreenCharlie Musselwhite
2:30 p.m.: Mary Lane's Blues All Stars
4 p.m.: Sherman Moody Thomas and the Lee's Unleaded Revue
6 p.m.: Grana' Louise
Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
12:30 p.m.: Charles Wsir Johnson
2:30 p.m.: Donna Herula
4 p.m.: Remembering Nighthawk
5:30 p.m.: Beginning Blue Progression Workshop
7 p.m.: East of Edens Soul Express
Mississippi Juke Joint
12:30 p.m.: Eddie Taylor Jr. with Harmonica Hinds
2 p.m.: Maxwell Street Revisited: featuring Dancin’ Perkins, Iceman Robinson, Smilin’ Bobby, Bobby Too Tough and Frank "Lil Sonny" Scott Jr.
3:30 p.m.: Sam Lay
5 p.m.: Fernando Jones and the Columbia College Blues Ensemble
6:30 p.m.: Festival Jam Session
Petrillo Music Shell
7 p.m.: Shirley Johnson
8:20 p.m.: Eddie C. Campbell-70th Birthday Celebration
Saturday, June 13
Front Porch
noon: Earwig Records Tribute to Sunnyland featuring Aaron Moore, Allen Batts and Dennis Binder
2 p.m.: Holle Thee Maxwell
3:30 p.m.: Ray Allison
5 p.m.: Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials
6:30 p.m.: Nolan Struck with King Edward and special guests
Gibson Guitar Crossroads
noon: Lurrie Bell
1:45 p.m.: Cyrus Hayes and Lady Lee
3:30 p.m.: Travis “Moonchild” Haddix
Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
12:30 p.m.: Charles Wsir Johnson
2:30 p.m.: The Art of the Slide Workshop: Elmore James Jr., Jeremy Spencer, Lil’ Ed, and John Primer
4:30 p.m.: Samuel James
6:30 p.m.: East of Edens Soul Express
Mississippi Juke Joint
12:30 p.m.: Terry Harmonica Bean
2 p.m.: Eden Brent
3:30 p.m.: Little Dave Thompson
5 p.m.: John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band
6:30 p.m.: Festival Jam Session-hosted by Demetria Taylor
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m.: Walter Scott hosts Southside Angels featuring Miss Peaches, Claudette, and Miss Jessie
6:40 p.m.: Trudy Lynn with the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings featuring “Daddy G”
8:20 p.m.: Bettye LaVette
Sunday, June 14
Front Porch
noon: Lee Boys
1:30 p.m.: Christland Singers
3 p.m.: Lou Pride and the Blues Disciples
4:45 p.m.: Rabbit Factory Soul Revue
6:30 p.m.: Vernon Harrington and the Atomic Blues Band
Gibson Guitar Crossroads
noon: Tre’ and the BlueKnights with Lady Kat
1:45 p.m.: Ernest Lane and the Kings of Rhythm
3:30 p.m.: Lee Boys
Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
12:30 p.m.: Charles Wsir Johnson
2:30 p.m.: Eden and John’s East River Band with special guests Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and Dom Flemons
4:30 p.m.: Change Blues Films to Record Collecting through the Ages
6:30 p.m.: East of Edens Soul Express
Mississippi Juke Joint
12:30 p.m.: Ben Payton
2 p.m.: Big Jack Johnson
3:30 p.m.: David Honeyboy Edwards and with Devil in a Woodpile
5 p.m.: Grady Champion
6:30 p.m.: Blues Festival Pro Blues Jam-Gary Gand
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m.: Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters
6:10 p.m.: Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers
7:20 p.m.: Jeremy Spencer
8:30 p.m.: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein