Sly Stone, Chuck Berry, more to play Long Beach Blues

With a name like "Long Beach Blues Festival," one can assume that the aforementioned blues festival will be held in Long Beach. And, of course, one would be right. But that doesn't keep it from changing its location inside the city limits, and this year it will be at the Eden-esque-sounding Rainbow Lagoon. The move, which takes the festival away from its longtime home of the Cal State University athletic field, brings it closer to the downtown area and the marina.

The festival is set to take place over the weekend of August 20 and 21, with Chuck Berry and Sly & the Family Stone headlining. Other performers include New Orleans' own Dirty Dozen Brass Band, blues pianist Pinetop Perkins, Eric Clapton associate John Mayall, harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite and Booker T Jones. For the rest of the lineup, click here.

The annual Long Beach Blues Festival functions as a fundraiser for the public radio station, KKJZ, which has been airing blues on radio waves since 1981. In the past the festival has showcased big names such as Etta James, Bettye LaVette, Irma Thomas and the Allman Brothers.

Advance tickets go on sale June 7 via Ticketmaster, and are $45 per day and $75 for the whole weekend. Tickets at the gate will be $50 per day and $80 for the weekend. Also available are multiple ticket packages, including the $5000 Ultimate Backstage Pass for four, including accomodations, food, beverage, VIP parking and reserved seating backstage.

Related links:
Review: Dirty Dozen - Funeral for a Friend
KKJZ.org
ChuckBerry.com

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