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18th Blues Festival packed with legends
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The 18th annual Pittsburgh Blues Festival has age and experience on its side, with such legends as Mavis Staples, Canned Heat and Bobby "Blue" Bland.
It begins with the traditional Free Friday, a Mardi Gras Night headlined by the Grammy-winning Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience playing Creole Zydeco music. Also on that bill is Anthony Gomes, a Blueswax Artist of the Year winner in 2003.
The Saturday headliner is Woodstock alumnus Canned Heat, along with the legendary 82-year-old Bobby "Blue" Bland, Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers (led by the former Nighthawks guitarist) and Albert Cummings.
Mavis Staples headlines the Sunday night show, joined by guitarist Bernard Allison (the son of blues legend Luther) and Barbara Blue, a former Pittsburgher now based in Memphis.
The Blues Festival will feature crafts and food vendors and a KidZone with arts and crafts activities.
All proceeds benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
PITTSBURGH BLUES FESTIVAL
Where: Hartwood Acres, Hampton.
When: Friday through Sunday.
Admission: Friday admission is free with a bag of nonperishable groceries for the food bank; Saturday and Sunday tickets are $30 each day ($25 in advance). Weekend passes are available for $45. Children under 12 enter free. Parking is free.
Information: www.pghblues.com
FRIDAY
4 p.m.: Gates open.
4:30 p.m.: Young Blood Blues Camp
5 p.m.: Eugene & the Nightcrawlers
6 p.m.: The Nied's Hotel Band
7 p.m.: Anthony Gomes
8:45 p.m.: Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience
SATURDAY
1:30 p.m.: Gates open
2 p.m.: Jill West & Blues Attack
3 p.m.: Albert Cummings
4:30 p.m.: Pittsburgh Blues All-Stars with special guest Billy Price
5:30 p.m.: Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers
7 p.m.: Bobby "Blue" Bland
9 p.m.: Canned Heat
SUNDAY
1:30 p.m.: Gates open.
1:45 p.m.: The Nancy McKeen Bluz Machine
2:45 p.m.: Jimmy Adler Blues Band
3:45 p.m.: Barbara Blue
5:15 p.m.: Ron Yarosz & the Vehicle
6:30 p.m.: Bernard Allison Group
8:30 p.m.: Mavis Staples
First Published July 19, 2012 12:00 am
