Out and About

Paint the Town Blue
Blues greats Rudy Richard and Larry Garner,
seen here backstage at Phil Brady's, will once
again contribute to the legendary goings-on
during Baton Rouge Blues Week.
Things are crazy around Baton Rouge — up is down, black is white, Rouge is blue...because it’s Baton Rouge Blues Week, and every night this week in the city, legendary performers are singing, strumming, jamming and drumming all over town.

One week each spring, Baton Rouge remembers its place in the heartland of Mississippi Delta blues with this festival that brings a series of performances by blues music’s guiding lights to stages at Phil Brady’s Bar, Chelsea’s, the Manship Theatre, the Roux House, Happy’s Irish Pub, M Bar, and Teddy’s Juke Joint in Zachary.

What’s more, after a thirteen year hiatus, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival will be back this Saturday, April 26, to celebrate the profound blues influence that is Baton Rouge’s musical legacy, and put some of its giants onstage to show the rest of us how it’s done. Louisiana blues stars coming to play include Kenny Neal, Lazy Lester with Rudy Richard and James Johnson, Tab Benoit (pictured on Milepost homepage), Luther Kent & Trick Bag, Marcia Ball, Larry Garner, Phil Guy & the Chicago Machine, and the Baton Rouge High Bulldogs Blues Band with Bobby Campo. This defining event of the 2008 Baton Rouge Blues Week takes place from 10 am–10 pm in Repentance Park between the Old State Capitol and the River Center. Free. For a complete lineup, visit www.batonrougebluesfestival.org.

In conjunction, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge presents Grammy winning blues legend James Cotton Sunday April 27 at its weekly performance series, Sunday in the Park. That’s Lafayette Park—the oak-shaded sliver of green space sandwiched between the Shaw Center and River Road in downtown Baton Rouge. The series offers live musicians for free from noon–3 pm for weeks, and this week, of course, its blues. All are welcome. Bring a picnic, enjoy brunch provided by on-site food vendors, or patronize the various restaurants around downtown. (225) 344-8558 or www.artsbr.org.

Wrapping it up is a one-of-a-kind blues jam at Teddy’s Juke Joint in Zachary. The jam starts with the house band, and with all the artists in Baton Rouge for Blues Week, you can never tell who might show up as the night rocks on. Legendary musicians have been known to grace the stage at Teddy’s Juke Joint, so come see how the vibe evolves. 7 pm at 16999 Old Scenic Highway. Cover charge at the door. (225) 658-8029 or www.teddysjukejoint.com.

Here’s a taste of the blue notes all over the capital city this week:
• Wednesday, April 23: 5:30 pm: Shirley Neal’s Blues Buffet with L’il Ray Neal at Phil Brady’s. 7 pm: Dixie Rose with Raymond Curtis & Kevin Cullins at Teddy’s Juke Joint. 7:30 pm: Terrance Simien Zydeco Experience at the Manship Theatre. 6 pm: Brian Coogan and 10 pm the Michael Foster Project at Chelsea’s.
• Thursday, April 24: Blues Jam hosted by Troy Turner at Phil Brady’s.
• Friday, April 25: 5 pm–8 pm: Tabby Thomas Blues Revue at Galvez Plaza, downtown. 6:30 pm: Kevin Schexnayder at the Pastime. 8 pm: Henry Butler at the Manship Theatre. 9 pm: Big Red & the Soulbenders at Teddy’s Juke Joint. 10 pm: Real Time featuring Ernest Scott at the Roux House. 10:30 pm: Eddie Bo at Chelsea’s. 10:30 pm: John Lisi at Phil Brady’s.
• Saturday, April 26, 10 am–10 pm: Baton Rouge Blues Festival with Phil Guy, Larry Garner, Luther Kent, Marcia Ball, Tab Benoit, Kenny Neal & more. Downtown. 6:30 pm: Kenny Acosta at the Pastime. 7 pm: Smokey Greenwell at the Roux House. 9 pm: Marty Christian & Papa Grows Funk at Happy’s Irish Pub. 9 pm: Randy Pavlock & Twenty-Four-Seven at Teddy’s Juke Joint. 9:30 pm: Li’l Ray Neal & the Real Blues Band at The M Bar, 350 Third Street. 10 pm: Kipori Woods at Phil Brady’s. 10 pm: Mike Zito at Roux House. 10:30 pm: Henry Gray and the Cats at Chelsea’s.
• Sunday, April 27, 7 pm: Super Sunday Jam at Teddy’s

Tickets prices are between $7 and $10 for all shows. For a comprehensive lineup visit www.LouisianasMusic.com and click on the Baton Rouge Blues Week icon.