UM Library, Grove Among Sites for Oxford Blues Fest

Annual event this weekend features concerts, interviews and brunch

OXFORD, Miss. – The J.D. Williams Library and the Grove Stage at the University of Mississippi are scheduled sites for Saturday events during the eighth annual Oxford Blues Festival this weekend (July 14-16).

A panel discussion with Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, one of the greatest blues guitarist of all time, begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in the library. It is followed by a guided tour of the university’s Blues Archive with Greg Johnson at 12:15 p.m. Both events are free to the public.

Musicians will begin performing free 45-minute concerts at 1:15 p.m. on the Grove Stage. Besides Watkins, the lineup includes Hill Country Stomp, Seven Mile Mushroom, R.L. Boyce Band, the King Bees and the Cedric Burnside Project. Donations are accepted.

The festival opens at 6 p.m. Friday at Tallahatchie Gourmet restaurant on the Oxford Square. Featured performers are Ben Wiley Payton and “The Great” Effie Burt.

The closing event on Sunday is a Gospel Brunch at the Mesquite Chop House restaurant, starting at 11 a.m. A Family Affair Gospel Singers will perform. Tickets are available for a suggested $10 donation.

For more information, contact Joyce Byrd at joyce.byrd@oxfordbluesfest.com or visit the festival website at http://oxfordbluesfest.com/.