Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Boogie down in Baton Rouge with this annual blues extravaganza
Baton Rouge Blues Festival's 2018 Poster; Collage by John Lawson. Tabby Thomas (1929–2014), one of the pioneers of Baton Rouge blues.
Originating in 1981, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the oldest free blues festivals in America and exists to encourage promotion, preservation, and advancement of Baton Rouge's native Swamp Blues music. This free-to-the public, family-friendly festival will feature an impressive lineup of internationally-recognized performers and local blues legends alike, including Mavis Staples, Kenny Neal, Lil Ray Neal, Tyree Neal, Henry Gray, William Bell, Deacon John Moore, John 'Papa' Gros, Jonathon 'Boogie' Long, and many more whimsically and wildly named groups. Back Stage at the Blues Fest will continue to feature interviews and informal performances in the Old State Capitol Senate chambers, providing attendees a chance to learn more about participating performers. There will also be arts & crafts booths and food vendors. Repentance Park and Galvez Plaza, downtown Baton Rouge. Free. batonrougebluesfestival.org. VIP tickets may be purchased for $200, which includes exclusive access all weekend, gourmet food and snacks provided, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, private restrooms, and a one year membership to the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, at bontempstix.com.
For more on the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, read Ruth Laney's article on 2018 Blues Festival poster artist John Lawson, here.
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