The Ninth Almost Annual Kansas City, Kansas, Street Blues Festival

The 18th and Vine District may have the museums and the historical notoriety, but the northeast area of Kansas City, Kansas, proves its own mettle every year by hosting the Kansas City, Kansas, Street Blues Festival. The free outdoor festival has paid tribute to scads of indigenous Kansas City blues masters during its nine-year run, reacquainting audiences with such performers as Little Hatch, Myra Taylor, Ida McBeth, Millage Gilbert, and the late great Cotton Candy. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, coolers and empty stomachs this year as the festival presents two full days of homespun entertainment, with Mama Ray as this year’s festival queen. Friday’s headliners include Lee McBee, the Millage Gilbert Downhome Blues Band and Levee Town. Saturday’s slate will be capped off by Eugene Smiley and Linda Shell’s Blues Thang.