‘Just straight up blues.’ Elk Grove plans another new music celebration this summer
Tickets are on sale for a new indoor summer show planned by the Elk Grove Arts Commission that will bring the blues to the city’s District56 venue.
Elk Grove is hosting its first “Blues in the Grove,” an all-day concert featuring the sound of blues, soul, rock and zydeco. The event will be July 21 at 8230 Civic Center Drive.
The show includes Northern California artists and bands such as: Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band, Zydeco Flames, Marcel Smith, Papa Day Blues Band, Annie Sampson Band, Gary Mendoza and Bob Jones and the Chosen Few.
“Last year, the City of Elk Grove Arts Commission produced a show about the history of the blues… It was always a tutorial that we did and it was well attended,” said event organizer and commission chair Nan Mahon. “The Arts Commission decided that we would try a blues festival this year where we just had five bands come in and play blues.”
Mahon said they expect to sell out, as the venue only seats up to 400 people.
“The kind of blues show we’re doing now is just straight up blues,” Mahon said. “If you just want to come in and sit in a chair and have a beer and listen to some good American music, you got it with this.”
Doors will open at 11 a.m. The event is from noon to 6:30 p.m. with open seating on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be food and drinks available for purchase. Attendees should bring their credit or debit cards because the event is cashless.
General admission tickets are available online for $40 at elkgrovecity.org/bluesinthegrove.
