
Delta Blues Museum - Where to Hear Music and Festival Info
Live blues is rare in the Delta these days, apart from festivals (see below). Juke boxes, changing musical tastes, a much-reduced population, and general poverty have eroded a once-thriving music scene. Luckily, Clarksdale offers some of the best local options.
Delta festivals offer concentrated doses of blues music and culture. Events range from small, casual affairs to large, professionally organized festivals that attract thousands of visitors. Check individual Web sites for exact dates and lineups. Alert: These are generally outdoors affairs and Delta weather is hot from spring to fall, and downright steamy in summer-be prepared.
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Located near the Delta Blues Museum, this restaurant-bar-club books a busy, regular program of live music (not all of it blues). Check the calendar on its Web site for updates. Part owner and actor Morgan Freeman relaxes there when in town. (662) 621-9009 www.groundzerobluesclub.com
Hambone Art GalleryTuesday nights from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. 111 East Second Street, (662) 253-5586, $5 cover
Messenger's Pool HallA multi-generational family business, on the Lomax-era maps of Clarksdale in the 1940s. Open nightly, sandwiches, occasional live music.
Red's LoungeAs basic as a club gets: a well-worn building (formerly LaVene Music Center; look for the fading painted sign near the top of the brick storefront) houses a minimally decorated but totally bar setting with live music most weekends and occasionally during the week. Beer and setups available. (662) 627-3166 or (662) 627-1367
A free, family event in downtown Clarksdale with a parade, art exhibit, petting zoo, historic tours, pig races, and lots of live local blues in the evenings.
www.jukejointfestival.com
Free, intimate (on small stages in downtown Clarksdale), and focused on Mississippi musicians, this event includes traditional blues and gospel music. www.sunflowerfest.org
September: Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage FestivalThe longest-running blues festival in the Delta is held near Greenville (about an hour and half south of Clarksdale) on three stages, including a juke joint set-up and a gospel tent (admission fee). www.visitthedelta.com
October: Deep Blues FestivalCreated to celebrate the outsider and alternative blues and blues influenced music, this festival got its start near the twin cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) as a 1-day event showcasing 18 bands. The festival has evolved with each passing year, and in 2014 made the move south to Clarksdale. For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, please visit www.deepbluesfest.com
October: King Biscuit FestivalOne of the top blues festivals in the country takes place in downtown historic Helena, Arkansas, about a half-hour northwest of Clarksdale across the Mississippi River. Free, large in both artist lineup and crowds, and altogether an Event. www.kingbiscuitfestival.com
October: Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams FestivalPlaywright Williams is honored with a literary conference, porch plays, film screenings, seminars, and a drama competition for high school students. www.coahomacc.edu 2010 Tennessee Williams Festival draws international attention read more.


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This site made possible through the support of Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Rock River Foundation.
This site made possible through the support of Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Rock River Foundation.
Support for the Delta Blues Foudation, Inc has been provided by explore.org, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.
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Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: 662-627-6820
Email: info@deltabluesmuseum.org