The largest free outdoor blues event in the world features local, national and international entertainment on six stages with more than 90 performances. In celebration of the quarter centennial event, the festival is preceded by a month of blues music-themed activities throughout Chicago. See how Chicago's blues roots were planted at the Blues Season Maxwell Street Film Series (May 24).
Thursday, June 5
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m.: Big Time Sarah and the BTS Express
7:10 p.m.: Duke Robillard's Tribute to Louis Jordan featuring Plas Johnson and Red Holloway
8:30 p.m.: Johnny Winter and James Cotton
Front Porch Stage
11 a.m.: Katherine Davis, Erwin Helfer, Eric Noden and the Stone Academy Blues All Stars
12:45 p.m.: Professor Fernando Jones Columbia College Blues Ensemble
2:30 p.m.: David Honey Boy Edwards, Billy Branch, Louisiana Red, Paul Kaye, Aron Burton, Johnny Yard Dog Jones
4:15 p.m.: Pinetop Perkins, Willie Smith, Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Kenny Smith
6 p.m.: Inetta Visor
Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club Stage
11:30 p.m.: Louisiana Red
1 p.m.: Nuwki Nu
2:30 p.m.: Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
4:30 p.m.: Little Willie Littlefield
Crossroads Stage
12 p.m.: Patricia Scott with J.W. Williams
2 p.m.: Big Ray and Chicago's Most Wanted
4 p.m.: Sharon Lewis and Texas Fire
Juke Joint Stage
12 p.m.: A Day with Jimmy Burns featuring the Chicago Blues Round Robin
3 p.m.: L.C. Ulmer
4:30 p.m.: Jimmy Burns Blues Band
6 p.m.: Jam hosted by Jimmy Burns
Maxwell Street Corner Stage
2:30 p.m.: Piano C. Red
4 p.m.: Diamond Jim Greene
Roadhouse Stage
12:30 p.m.: Charles 'Wsir' Johnson
2:30 p.m.: Tribute to Muddy Waters with Marva Morganfield, Bruce Iglauer, Jim O'Neal and Bill Gilmore
4 p.m.: The Centenarians-Louis Jordan (Bob Porter), Tommy McClennan (Honeyboy Edwards), Hammie Nixon (Larry Hoffman)
June 6
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m.: Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake, Sugar Pie DeSanto with Willie Henderson
7:25 p.m.: Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater's West Side Strut with Lonnie Brooks, Jimmy Johnson, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Otis Clay and Billy Branch
8:35 p.m.: Koko Taylor and her Blues Machine
Front Porch Stage
11 a.m.: Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
12:30 p.m.: Little Willie Littlefield
2 p.m.: Jo Jo Murray and Joy Hills
3:45 p.m.: Peaches and the Groove Shakers
5:30 p.m.: Tear Drop Sessions
Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club Stage
11:30 a.m.: Little Arthur Duncan
1 p.m.: Les Getrex and Creole Cookin'
2:30 p.m.: Omar Shariff
4 p.m.: Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band
Crossroads Stage
12 p.m.: Tribute to Jumpin' Willie Cobbs featuring Joe B Band
2 p.m.: Larry Taylor's West Side Blues and Soul Band
4 p.m.: The Taylor's Family Band
Juke Joint Stage
12 p.m.: Rising Star Fife and Drum featuring the Thomas Family
1 p.m.: Afrissisppi
3 p.m.: Sam Lay
4:30 p.m.: L.C. Ulmer
6 p.m.: Jam hosted by Kenny Smith
Maxwell Street Corner Stage
2:30 p.m.: Harmonica Hinds
4 p.m.: Jimmy Johnson
Roadhouse Stage
12:30 p.m.: Charles 'Wsir' Johnson
2:30 p.m.: Louis Jordan: a discussion with Howard Mandel, Bill Milkowski, Lonnie Brooks, Bob Porter, and Ernest Dawkins
4:30 p.m.: Sweet Home Chicago" anthem or cliche featuring Billy Branch, Bill Gilmore and Bill Dahl
June 7
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m.: Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials
6:10 p.m.: Barbara Lynn with Lil' Buck and the Buckaroos
7:15 p.m.: Theodis Ealey
8:35 p.m.: Buckwheat Zydeco
Front Porch Stage
11 a.m.: Shorty Mack and the Magnificent R&B Blues Band
12:30 p.m.: Liz Mandville and the Blue Points
2 p.m.: Charles Hayes and the Hayes Family Band
3:30 p.m.: Recapturing the Banjo Project featuring Otis Taylor, Don Vappie and Guy Davis
5:30 p.m.: John Hammond
7 p.m.: Milwaukee Blues All Stars featuring Stokes and Milwaukee Slim
Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club Stage
11:30 a.m.: Little Willie Littlefield
1 p.m.: Guy Davis and the High Flying Rockets
2:30 p.m.: Bumble Bee Bob
4 p.m.: Omar Shariff
Crossroads Stage
12 p.m.: Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
1:45 p.m.: Chick Rogers
3:30 p.m.: PG Man
Juke Joint Stage
12 p.m.: Rising Star Fife and Drum featuring the Thomas Family
1 p.m.: Theodis Ealey
2:30 p.m.: Cedric Burnside and Little Malcolm
4:30 p.m.: T-Model Ford
6 p.m.: Jam hosted by Rosa's All Star Jam Band featuring James Wheeler
Maxwell Street Corner Stage
2 p.m.: Steve Arvey
3:30 p.m.: Quintus McCormick
5 p.m.: Guitar Red
Roadhouse Stage
12:30 p.m.: Charles 'Wsir' Johnson
2 p.m.: The Black Banjo Project Discussion with Otis Taylor, Don Vappie and Guy Davis moderated by Dick Weissman
3:30 p.m.: Maxwell Street Stories
June 8
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m.: Karen Carroll and Bobby Parker with Charlie Love and Lurrie Bell
6:20 p.m.: Bobby Parker
7:35 p.m.: Little Willie Littlefield
8:15 p.m.: B.B. King
Front Porch Stage
11 a.m.: Victory Travelers
1 p.m.: Marie Knight
2:30 p.m.: Tony Joe White
4 p.m.: Davell Crawford
6 p.m.: LaVelle White
Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club Stage
11:30 a.m.: Geraldine and Donald Gay
1 p.m.: Davell Crawford
2:30 p.m.: Paul Geremia
4 p.m.: John Boutte
Crossroads Stage
12 p.m.: Rodney Brown's salute to Louis Jordan
1:30 p.m.: Big James Montgomery and the Playboys
3:15 p.m.: Charles Wilson
Juke Joint Stage
12:30 p.m.: Rising Star Fife and Drum featuring the Thomas Family
1:30 p.m.: Cedric Burnside and Little Malcolm
3 p.m.: T Model Ford
5 p.m.: Jam hosted by Kenny Smith
Maxwell Street Corner Stage
1 p.m.: Dancin' Perkins
2:30 p.m.: Otis Taylor
4 p.m.: Filisko and Noden
Roadhouse Stage
12:30 p.m.: Charles 'Wsir' Johnson
2 p.m.: The B.B. King Museum and the Mississippi Blues Trail
4 p.m.: The Future of the Blues: Jim O'Neal, Larry Hoffman, and Nate Lawrence