The First Annual Mystic Blues Festival is coming to the Greater Mystic area June 28, 29 & 30, 2013, and will kick off with a fireworks display over the Mystic River on Friday night. The festival will showcase an array of blues legends, including Grammy Winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, and Blues Artist of the Year Award Winners. There will be performances by James Cotton, Jim Weider, Ricky “King” Russell, Jerry Portnoy, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, James Montgomery, Debbie Davies, Greg Piccolo, Johnny Nicholas, Fran Christina, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Jaimoe’s Jassssz Band, Roomful of Blues, Al Kooper, Christine Ohlman and Al Copley. Opening acts for these artists will consist of critically acclaimed regional blues musicians, as well as emerging talent, performing at an assortment of both ticketed and free venues. This festival is a celebration of the rich tradition of blues music in Southeastern Connecticut and South County, Rhode Island.

The Festival’s concept is modeled after small music and film festivals, where performances are in a variety of different sized venues within the local community. Ticketed venues include the beautiful Mystic Shipyard, where music will be held under a massive Sperry tent, food will be provided by Food Truck Festivals of New England and other local and regional music retailers, services, and vendors. The celebrated Olde Mistick Village Art Cinemas Stage will be home to headlining artists for late Friday and Saturday shows. The historic Knickerbocker Café with its rich blues history represents our ticketed venue in Westerly. Bars and restaurants throughout Mystic and Westerly will be hosting blues artists all weekend long in conjunction with the festival. The schedule for all venues and artists will be listed in our festival guide, on our website, and on our phone app. These host venues include The Octagon at the Mystic Marriott, Voodoo Grill, La Luna, The Steak Loft, and Go Fish.