Saint Louis BluesWeek Festival music starts tonight on Washington Avenue at 6th Street at 6:00 p.m. Country Road Blues is scheduled first featuring Tom Hall and Boss Hall. Uptown Blues featuring Stacy Mitchhart Band with Renee Smith and Skeet Rodgers is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.; River City Blues featuring Mike Zito Band with Marquise Knox at 8:30; and the night ends with Deep Blues featuring Big George Brock at 10.
On Saturday, August 27th, the festival begins at 2:00 p.m., featuring some of the biggest names in jazz and blues and continues into the night. Last year's festival had over 10,000 in attendance, and this year the festival is expecting over 20,000.
On Sunday the 28th, the festival features an All Star Brunch at The Great Grizzly Bear from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a $5 cover and $7 buffet. Reservations are recommended as it tends to sell out early. Reservations can be made by e-mail at [email protected].
The 29th features a Blues Panel History discussion of the "Great Women of Blues." This discussion will be held at 7 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum. A blues workshop will be held featuring harp on August 31 and guitar on September 1.
On September 2nd and 3rd, you can enjoy the "Soulard Blues Cruise" where you can walk down the streets of Soulard and listen to several blues bands in ten different venues. For ten dollars, you will be given a wristband that will allow you to attend the different venues.
BluesWeek closes on September 4th with the 2nd Annual St. Louis BluesWeek Awards which will be held at the Blueberry Hill Duck Room where Chuck Berry will receive a lifetime achievement award.
Prices and locations for the different events throughout the week vary, so make sure to check the web site for venue and pricing information. www.stlbluesweek.com