41st Annual Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium Park featuring Mavis Staples!

Experience Chicago’s rich blues music legacy at the 41st Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening in our backyard! With a diverse lineup celebrating the blues’ past, present, and future, the Chicago Blues Festival shares the great Chicago-born music tradition with the world while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop, and more. A Chicago Icon, Mavis Staples will be closing out the fest on Sunday evening, so you know it will be a great show!

We will meet way at the back of the lawn, right next to the sidewalk.
Bring wine, snacks, blankets, and chairs if you like. Dress for the weather. Look for us in our usual spot way on the back of the lawn near the sidewalk. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw

Come later, if you can't make it at 2:30 pm, but do not come too late! Please note, it is closing night and Mavis Staples is headlining so it will get full early! If you come after 6 pm, then there is a good chance you will not be able to get in if the park reaches capacity!!

IF ANYONE HAS A SMALL PORTABLE TABLE TO BRING, THEN PLEASE BRING IT! IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PUT THE WINE & SHARED FOOD FOR ALL TO ENJOY! I HAVE 2 TABLES BUT WE ALWAYS NEED MORE!!! (if you've been to these you know we have a lot of food and wine!!!)

Bring some wine, beer, and some food/snacks to share and enjoy! Mariano's is close by on Randolph St. and Macy's on State St. Food suggestions include cheese & crackers, fruit plate, baked goods, hummus & chips.

It's always a nice gesture to bring some extra cups, napkins, toothpicks or small plates if you can. I will try to bring what I can but since I take the bus I am limited. Those who drive or live close by can really help by bringing some extra items!

NOTE THAT TECHNICALLY OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED AT BLUES FEST! This is one of the events at Millennium Park where outside alcohol is not allowed. You can bring food and any non-alcoholic drinks. They will be doing bag checks before entering so be prepared for a slight wait to get it in. Corkscrews and cheese knives are also not allowed. You can buy alcohol inside the park at one of the park’s vendors.

I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE TIP AND REMEMBER YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT FROM ME! IF YOU'RE THINKING OF BRINGING A BOTTLE OF WINE, IT'S BEST TO CONCEAL IT WELL. THINK DEEP INSIDE YOUR BAG OR BACKPACK, MAYBE UNDER A BLANKET OR SOME SNACKS, SO IT'S NOT IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS DURING THE BAG CHECK. WE'VE MANAGED TO SNEAK IN A FEW BOTTLES AND CANS IN THE PAST, BUT IT'S NEVER A SURE THING. SO, IF YOU DECIDE TO BRING SOMETHING, DON'T MAKE IT AN EXPENSIVE BOTTLE, JUST IN CASE IT GETS CONFISCATED. A TWIST-OFF BOTTLE WOULD BE BEST FOR EASY OPENING, SINCE CORKSCREWS AREN'T ALLOWED EITHER. BETTER YET, CONSIDER TRANSFERRING THE WINE INTO A PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE OR AN OPAQUE TRAVEL CONTAINER. THE KEY IS TO KEEP IT DISCREET!

The annual Chicago Blues Festival in June is the city’s largest music festival. More than 500,000 blues fans gather in Chicago’s Millennium Park for three days of performances — all free and open to the public — featuring some of the genre’s most revered musicians, along with up-and-coming and local talent.

A Chicago staple for over 41 years, the festival’s diverse lineup has included everyone from B.B. King and Buddy Guy to Etta James and Koko Taylor and beyond. Performances showcase the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop, and more. The festival also features local food and drink vendors, along with “Blues Village” featuring different record companies and blues groups.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_blues_festival.html

Sunday, June 8, Jay Pritzker Pavilion Lineup/Schedule:

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:30-3:45 p.m-Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice
3:45-5:00 p.m. - Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records (WE WILL WATCH THIS BAND)
5:15-6:15 p.m. - C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band
6:30-7:30 p.m Lurrie Bell & Frank Catalano (WE WILL WATCH THIS BAND)
7:45-9:00 p.m. - Mavis Staples (WE WILL WATCH THIS BAND)

Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
12:00-1:15 p.m. - Stevie J and The Blues Eruption
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Nellie “Tiger” Travis
3:00-4:15 p.m. - Jonathan Ellison
4:30-5:45 p.m. - Ms. Jody

Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45 p.m. - Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport
2:00-3:15 p.m. - Jimmy Burns Band
3:30-4:45 p.m. - Nick Alexander Blues Band (WE WILL TRY TO CHECK OUT THIS BAND)
5:00-6:15 p.m. - Sonia Astacio
6:30-7:45 p.m. - 3 by 3 Crew: Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn with Tim Taylor

Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace - Next Generation of Blues
11:00-11:45 a.m. - Wiggleworms
12:00-12:45 p.m. - Fernando Jones Presents the Knott Us Band
1:00-1:45 p.m. - Kenwood Academy High School
2:00-2:45 p.m. - Nicholas Senn High School
3:00-4:00 p.m. - A Patch of Blues

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

If you drive, use SpotHero or ParkWhiz as it is a challenge over there. Look for the Grant Park North Parking Garage. There is some metered parking but best to use a parking lot or garage

PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!