Catch the blues in Chicago
JUNE 12-14
CHICAGO
Chicago Blues Festival: Chicago fills Grant Park with a steady stream of festivals from all genres of music throughout the summer and fall (country, Celtic, jazz, and dance), but the Chicago Blues Festival is the consistent charmer. The weekend-long event offers a chance to catch blues legends for free. Bettye Levette, who started recording in the early 1960s but has only recently found critical acclaim, headlines on June 13. She most recently dueted with Jon Bon Jovi at President Obama's inauguration. The amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings headline on June 14. Nearly a million people turn out annually for the party, which takes place on the Lake Michigan waterfront. www.chicagofestivals.net.
JUNE 5-
NEW YORK
Central Park SummerStage: The al fresco concert series hosts a string of top-shelf performers throughout the summer, all for free. The series starts June 5 with Josh Ritter playing his songs with accompaniment from the New York Pops. Other highlights include Oumou Sangare, Juana Molina, Matisyahu, Q-Tip, and M.Ward. Concerts take place in Rumsey Playfield; enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue. www.summerstage.com.
JUNE 19-21
BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
City Stages: Jane's Addiction, what on earth has happened to you? Back in the flannel-covered early 1990s, you shared the stage with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, and now you're performing at the same festival as the Doobie Brothers, Styx, .38 Special, and REO Speedwagon? To be fair, the bill for the City Stages festival includes the Indigo Girls, Young Jeezy, and En Vogue. This could be one of the most diverse festivals of the summer - and easily one of the season's guiltiest pleasures. Just think, you'll hear "Been Caught Stealing," "Takin' it to the Streets," and "Can't Fight This Feeling" live in the same weekend. Buy your pass ahead of time, and the cost for all shows is $40. Linn Park, www.ci tystages.org, 800-745-3000.
JUNE 5-13
CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
Riverbend Fesitval: Manchester, Tenn., may have the cutting edge Bonnaroo, but who needs Bruce Springsteen and the Beastie Boys when you have the Commodores, Little Richard, the B-52s, and Three Dog Night? In other words, the weeklong Riverfest, which takes place along the waterfront of the Tennessee River, is a bit like stepping into a time machine. Buy a button ahead of time and see the music for $28. www.riverbendfestival.com, 423-756-2211.
PLAN AHEAD
JULY 3-5
NEW ORLEANS
The Essence Music Festival: Beyonce, Maxwell, John Legend, Salt-n-Pepa, Anita Baker, Al Green, Lionel Richie, and even Teena Marie (!) headline this holiday weekend spectacular at the Superdome. During the day, there are seminars featuring notable names ranging from Steve Harvey to NeNe Leaks from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." A three-day festival pass is $237. www.essencemusicfesti val.com.
CHRISTOPHER MUTHER
Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; check online to confirm. Christopher Muther can be reached at muther@globe.com. 