Mavis Staples, Fantastic Negrito among 2018 Blues Festival headliners

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Mavis Staples | Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images

Make plans to be at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park June 8-10 for the 35th annual Chicago Blues Festival, with headliners that include Grammy Award winner and Kennedy Center Honoree Mavis Staples, Fantastic Negrito and the Corey Dennison Band.

Fantastic Negrito | Courtesy DCASE

Fantastic Negrito | Courtesy DCASE

Other headliners announced Sunday for the three-day fest include: Mississippi Heat with Billy Flynn and Giles Corey; a special all-star tribute to the 65th Anniversary of Delmark Records and label founder Bob Koester; Selwyn Birchwood, Willie Clayton, Kenny Neal, and an all-star tribute to Little Walter featuring Billy Branch, Kim Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold, Corky Siegel, Rick Estrin, Sugar Blue and Magic Dick.

“The City of Chicago is committed to celebrating Chicago’s music legacy – specifically the city’s rich blues history and its contributions to house, gospel, hip-hop, R&B, rock and other music genres,” said Mark Kelly, commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) in the announcement.

The full lineup for the festival will be announced in the coming weeks.

Here’s the schedule for the headliners’ appearances according to the official announcement:

JUNE 8 65th Anniversary of Delmark Records Celebration 5:30-6:15 p.m.: Corey Dennison Band 6:30-7:15 p.m.: Mississippi Heat with guests Billy Flynn and Giles Corey 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Tribute to Those Who Came Before and Bob Koester featuring: —Corey Dennison and Gerry Hundt: Tribute to Sleepy John Estes —Jimmy Burns: Tribute to Big Joe Williams —Ken Saydak: Tribute to Roosevelt Sykes —Guy King: Tribute to Willie Kent —Billy Flynn and Linsey Alexander: Tribute to Jimmy Dawkins —Lil’ Ed & Dave Weld: Tribute to J.B. Hutto —Demetria Taylor and Tomiko Dixon: Tribute to Big Time Sarah —Steve Bell and Lurrie Bell: Tribute to Carey Bell —Jimmy Johnson and Dave Specter: Tribute to Magic Sam —Omar Coleman: Tribute to Junior Wells JUNE 9 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Selwyn Birchwood 6:45-7:45 p.m.: Willie Clayton 8-9:30 p.m.: Little Walter Tribute, featuring: Billy Branch, Kim Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold, Corky Siegel, Rick Estrin, Sugar Blue, Magic Dick JUNE 10 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Fantastic Negrito 6:45-7:45 p.m.: Kenny Neal 8-9:30 p.m.: Mavis Staples

Kenny Neal | Courtesy DCASE

Kenny Neal | Courtesy DCASE

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